Multiscale modelling and characterization to optimize the manufacturing processes of Organic Electronics materials and devices

Project Information

CORNET

Grant agreement ID: 760949

DOI

10.3030/760949

Project closed

EC signature date 29 November 2017

Start date 1 January 2018

End date 31 March 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced materials

Total cost

€ 3 993 750,00

EU contribution

€ 3 993 750,00

Coordinated by

ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CORNET (Multiscale modelling and characterization to optimize the manufacturing processes of Organic Electronics materials and devices)

Reporting period: 2019-07-01 to 2021-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

CORNET is an ambitious project that is funded under the H2020 Call NMBP-07-2017, that developed a unique EU Open Innovation Environment (OIE) covering the triangle of manufacturing, modelling and experimentation in order to optimize the Organic/Large Area Electronic (OE) materials, materials behaviour and nano-devices (OPVs, PPVs, OLEDs) manufacturing processes by linking the nanostructure features with the macroscopic functionality through multiscale (nano- to macro-) characterization and modelling. This will strongly impact the fast and reliable development of new materials, devices and will enable control of the related production processes (R2R printing and gas transport (OVPD)) to fabricate tailored OE devices and systems to demonstrate to industrial applications (e.g. automotive, greenhouses).
The project objectives are the following:
#1: Develop an effective Open Innovation Environment (OIE) connecting world-class industrial, academic & research experts in Manufacturing, Multiscale Characterization & Modelling, for optimization of OE materials, materials behaviour and process optimization and for reliable database, citable protocols and contribution to standards (TRL4)
#2: Multiscale Characterization & Modelling to Optimize OE materials & devices fabrication and Validation of materials models for faster development cycle and time-to-market. (TRL4)
The project will perform multiscale characterization (optical, electrical, structural) and modelling (DFT, MD, Mesoscopic, Compact, Empirical, Simulation), to optimize the fabrication of OE nanomaterials (organic semiconductors, transparent electrodes, perovskites) and OE devices (OPVs, PPVs, OLEDs).
#3: Optimization of the fabrication of OPV, PPV and OLED Devices by R2R Printing and OVPD Manufacturing Processes in terms of reliability, homogeneity of OE devices properties and performance, and control of OE devices properties. (TRL5)
#4: Efficient large scale Fabrication of tailored (OPV, PPV, OLED) nano-devices by R2R printing and OVPD processes and Demonstration to Industrial applications (TRL6). These are: a) automotive applications by CRF, and b) Mediterranean Greenhouses

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the second Reporting Period (01/07/2019-31/03/2021), the partners have proceed according to the workplan and performed all foreseen activities with minor deviations.

The main research results of CORNET include the following:
- Creation of an innovative Open Innovation platform (https://www.cornet-project.eu/oie/index.php) for the connection of excellence bodies in Organic Electronics and Nanotechnology
- Open innovation database with data and protocols for characterization and modeling of the properties of innovative nanomaterials and devices of Organic Electronics
- Innovative and reliable protocols for characterization (12) and modeling (47) of nanomaterials and OE devices
- International standards for nano-micro-nano characterization of nanomaterials and connection with international Standards Organizations
- Development of optimal and validated production processes of polymeric nanomaterials for OPVs, OLEDs and Perovskite PVs with R2R printing technologies and correlation of characterization with modeling data
- Development of reliable methods for correlating the structure of a variety of OE nanomaterials with their nanomorphology and their macroscopic function and stability
- Innovative printed flexible Organic Photovoltaic devices with efficiency> 7.2% (small scale devices), and> 4.6% (large scale modules), and> 12% (using non-fullerene acceptors)
- Innovative printed flexible Perovskite Photovoltaic devices with efficiency> 12%
- Flexible OLED devices with brightness> 3000 cd / m2 at 3.4 V made with printing techniques and gas transport in the pilot lines of the Laboratory of Nanotechnology LTFN / AUTh
- Production of flexible printed Electroluminescence devices for lighting applications
- Production of flexible panels of OPVs and their integration in car roofs with efficiency that corresponds to the battery supply, through cooperation with bodies from the automotive industry
- Integration of flexible panels of OPVs in Mediterranean Type Greenhouses for demonstration of Organic Electronics in Agriculture
- Organization of more than 10 int. Conferences and Workshops that established connections with Entrepreneurs, Investors, Scientists, Engineers, Policy Makers
- More than 110 participations and 58 Exhibitions in int. scientific conferences, workshops and exhibitions, 123 oral and 17 guest presentations for the publication and promotion of the results of the project
- Publication of more than 80 articles in international media and video presentations for the publication of the actions and results of the project

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project final results proved that the validation of the experimental data from the optical, electrical, and structural characterization of OE nanomaterials by ex-situ and most importantly by in-line metrology methods, with the results from the multiscale modelling, can have a strong benefit for the optimization of the manufacturing processes of complex materials, devices and products that consist of complicated architectures of sensitive nanolayers to build highly efficient OE devices.

The development of the CORNET OIE activities for combined and validated modelling and characterization activities will unleash the huge potential of OPVs and OLEDs in consumer applications and will enable Industrial Growth in Europe.
Also, such manufacturing processes will demonstrate a strong productivity improvement in regards to conventional processes that will enable them to remain commercially competitive for multiple application areas.
The CORNET advances on the modelling and characterization of OE nanomaterials and devices are expected to increase the speed of the development of new materials and new device architectures. The CORNET multiscale modelling approach can be applied to other materials systems, providing insights on the performance of the final devices. Also, the characterization tools and methodologies for in-line and real-time metrology (as well as for ex-situ metrology) that are combined through the CORNET OIE, can provide additional information on the properties of the different OE nanomaterials, which can reduce the duplication of work and speed up the development of new materials. The OIE Database and Platform will become centers and hubs of reference for the EU stakeholders specialized in the materials synthesis and process development, which will benefit from established correlations between the structure and final properties of materials.
In addition, the CORNET has connected with other H2020 projects (such as the OIE projects OYSTER and MMAMA) as well as from the EU networks such as EMMC, EMCC, EPPN and EFFRA. This will open the way and ensure that the structure and metadata of the developed characterization and modelling protocols performed in CORNET will be harmonized with other developed solutions, ensuring the acceptance beyond the CORNET consortium.
The developed modelling and characterization protocols can be applied for other nanomaterials, such as inorganic, nanoparticles, copolymers, small molecules, etc. Moreover, the CORNET approaches and protocols, are applicable to devices for applications in Energy, Photonics, Textiles, Construction, Health, Medicine, Space, etc.

CORNET OIE Environment Concept

CORNET Consortium & Review Meeting at M18

CORNET OIE Platform