Underpinning technology- WP3: Activities ranged from the fabrication of NWs to the study of their electronic and optical properties. For example, new NW growth processes were developed to control structural, electronic, and optical properties. To control these, experimental studies of epitaxial growth were coupled with new growth theory and models. This understanding permits the fine-tuning of NW properties for particular device functions. Growth recipes for suppressing unwanted effects and sharpening NW junction structures and ensemble behaviour were formulated to facilitate the interaction between matter and light.
Emerging device concepts- WP4: focused on emerging NW based devices, concepts, and applications, where our primary goal was to take current understanding of NW characteristics to design, develop, test new ideas and future devices. Highlights include processes to fabricate controlled, kinked NWs that form superconducting junctions (a fundamental quantum computer building block). We showed that NWs can be configured to produce strong encryption devices necessary for computer security. We also created models and demonstrated methods for controlling NW size distributions, morphology and crystal phase. Semi-automated robotic hardware was developed to manipulate and characterise nanoscale devices, e.g. systematic post-fabrication testing of NW structures.
Scaling up and technology demonstrators- WP5: Size uniformity in self-assisted MBE grown GaAs NWs on silicon can be drastically improved by supersaturation; a key milestone for combining ordered NW arrays and related devices on a chip reproducibly. Deposition techniques have been combined to control ZnO NW growth direction, geometry, and crystal phase purity on large area substrates. This led to highly efficient ZnO-NW/MOF (metalorganic framework) photoanodes for hydrogen production. DNA-based biopolymers were utilised for NW batch production where coordination polymers enhance electrical. By optimising growth and fabrication parameters, two colour simultaneous emission (blue/green and blue/red) NW LEDs were demonstrated on transparent flexible substrates. Using a similar optimisation approach, we demonstrated single-photon sources based on AlGaAs NWs and GaAs quantum dots.
Innovative design approaches- WP6: consisted of applying Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) to Nanotechnology. A method was developed to simplify conceptual design and conduct fast searches in thousands of scientific articles and patents. TRIZ methodology was taught to the ESRs and young physicists outside the network. A pilot eCourse on Creativity in Physics, publicly available online
http://creativity-course.online(si apre in una nuova finestra) was developed.
The entire transferable and scientific skills training programme within the grant agreement was fully implemented -WP2. The host universities and industrial partners provided the day-to-day local training. Nine major network wide training events (e.g. conferences and workshops) were held covering technical content, research skills, personal effectiveness and communication.
Dissemination & Communication- WP2: www.indeednetwork.com provides information on publications, conferences, events, and outreach. ESRs were active via YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp and LinkedIn and produced 38 journal papers and 79 conference papers. They contributed to 5 major outreach events to communicate our research to the public: Celebrate Science Festival- Durham; Notte di ricercatore- Rome and Night of Culture- Lund attracted more than 5k visitors each, EPFL open day (40k visitors) and a Digital Surf promotional video.
