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Bio-inspired helicoidal multilayers for photonic innovation

Objective

Natural photonic structures are present in a wide variety of flora and fauna, and are useful for camouflage mechanisms,
mating and pollination signalling among other biological purposes. These natural photonic architectures constitute an
invaluable source of blueprints for scientists to innovate in bio-inspired technological devices that can make a real impact in
the technology based economy, for example in sensors, solar cells and lighting applications. Among the natural structures
that have an artificial counterpart with huge impact in the economy are optical thin films, where for example single layers are
used for anti-reflection coatings and multilayers for high quality mirrors and filters. Interestingly, some animals, such as the
scarab beetles, exhibit unique circular polarization dependent reflection properties due to an inner helicoidal structure
embedded within the multilayers of its cuticle. Fabricating such multilayers with added optical functionalities can find
applications for example in anti-counterfeiting elements or in optical applications as chirality dependent micro-mirrors. During
this MSCA I aim to gain the necessary training and knowledge to become an independent researcher in the fields of
structural colour in nature and bio-inspired photonic devices. To achieve this goal, I will build up from the expertise of the
host supervisor (Prof. Ullrich Steiner) and his group at the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Fribourg, Switzerland on the field of
structural colour in nature, and specifically, on their experience with the chiral structures of such beetles. I will investigate novel multilayered devices exhibiting unique optical properties by performing optical simulations and combining state-of-the-art nano-patterning techniques together with a self-assembly method for multilayer fabrication that will yield unprecedented optical responses leading to innovative photonic devices.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DE FRIBOURG
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 187 419,60
Address
AVENUE DE L EUROPE 20
1700 FRIBOURG
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Espace Mittelland Fribourg / Freiburg
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 187 419,60
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