Overall objectives. The grand objective of the project is to create an autonomous Centre of Excellence ENSEMBLE3 (e3) with excellence in research and great innovation potential in the area of crystal growth-based technologies, novel functional materials with innovative electromagnetic properties, and applications in nanophotonics, optoelectronics, telecommunication, medicine and photovoltaics. The ENSEMBLE3 CoE will build on the best of (i) nanophotonics and medicine-oriented research of the University of Warsaw (UW); (ii) research and development in the area of crystal growth and innovation practices at the Lukasiewicz - Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics, IMiF, (previously: Institute of Electronic Materials Technology, ITME); and (iii) the technology transfers via existing companies and new spinoffs. This is a straightforward way to create a research excellence centre, just at the border, where the most advanced science and its practical utilization meet. ENSEMBLE3 is a not-for-profit limited liability company acting as a scientific unit created in strong partnership with leading institutions in the field with complementary expertise: (i) the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany with its research excellence in controlling the flow of light at an unprecedented level utilizing three-dimensional structured materials; (ii) the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy with its research excellence in theory and experiment of linear and nonlinear optics, especially of complex materials; and (iii) the Cooperative Research Center nanoGUNE Consolider, Spain with its excellence in optical near-field nanospectroscopy and nanoscopy, nanomaterials and nanofabrication. The increase of scientific capabilities gained through the Teaming partnerships will enable ENSEMBLE3 to be successful in receiving competitive funding in international forums; achieving a measurable and significant improvement in terms of research and innovation culture; self-sustainability, and sustained excellence provided by stable long-term agreements with the advanced partners; and help the Mazovian region and Poland to attain a competitive position in the global value chain.
ENSEMBLE3 will build on the strengths of Polish science and technology - where historically crystal growth is a very important field, famously developed by prof. Jan Czochralski whose crystal growth method remains the most widely-used technique for manufacturing single crystals of semiconductor and other compounds such as silicon and germanium.
Czochralski crystals are used in everyday life - every person having a computer, mobile phone or other optoelectronic/electronic device has a small piece of a Czochralski - grown crystal placed in the device.
By developing novel crystal growth-based technologies and novel materials with new/enhanced
electromagnetic properties (i.e. plasmon enhanced), new research paths will be created, at the same time enabling the application of developed materials in nanophotonics, optoelectronics, telecommunication, medicine, photovoltaics, and photoelectrochemistry.
*The project acronym, ENSEMBLE - a unit or group of complementary parts that contribute to a single effect – aptly describes both the objective of the project (creating novel predictable and controllable effects/properties/functionalities from an engineered material obtained by the organization of its different components), as well as the mode of achieving this objective (i.e. through the joint efforts of several institutions and an interdisciplinary group of scientists with complementary expertise). In ENSEMBLE3, 3 stands for 3 interconnected research subjects: nanophotonics, advanced materials, and novel crystal growth-based technologies; 3 leading partners and 3 polish partners; and excellence, efficiency, and economy.
