Objective
Nanoscale systems binding single molecules, or small numbers of molecules, in conducting junctions show considerable promise for a range of technological applications, from photovoltaics to rectifiers to sensors. These environments differ significantly from the traditional domain of chemical studies involving molecules in solution and the gas phase, necessitating renewed efforts to understand the physical properties of these systems. The objective of this proposal concerns one particular class of physical processes: understanding and controlling local heating in molecular junctions in terms of excitation, dissipation and transfer.
Local heating and dissipation in molecular junctions has long been a concern due to the possibly detrimental impact on device stability and function. More recently there has been increased interest, as these processes underlie both spectroscopic techniques and potential technological applications. Together these issues make an investigation of ways to chemically control local heating in molecular junctions timely and important.
The proposal objective will be addressed through the investigation of three challenges:
- Developing chemical control of local heating in molecular junctions.
- Developing chemical control of heat dissipation in molecular junctions.
- Design of optimal thermoelectric materials.
These three challenges constitute distinct, yet complementary, avenues for investigation with progress in each area supporting the other two. All three challenges build on existing theoretical methods, with the important shift of focus to methods to achieve chemical control. The combination of state-of-the-art computational methods with careful chemical studies promises significant new developments for the area.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputational science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyphotovoltaic
Call for proposal
ERC-2010-StG_20091028
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
ERC-SG - ERC Starting GrantHost institution
1165 Kobenhavn
Denmark