Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NANO-GLASS (Nano-structured glass for future display and communication technologies)
Période du rapport: 2023-03-01 au 2025-08-31
NANO-GLASS aims to develop disruptive nano-structuring designs and methods, that will provide unprecedented functionalities to display screens and optical fibres. The research programme comprises four individual research projects (IRPs), each assigned to a different early-stage researcher (ESR) and aligned with the following specific research and technological objectives:
- IRP1: Durable multifunctional micro-nano-structured surfaces: To develop and optimize simple, scalable, cost and time efficient processes to nanostructure glass surfaces for optoelectronic applications.
- IRP2: Optical surfaces for display with application-specific functionalities: To obtain new functional surfaces based on metal nano-caps and/or atomically thick metals.
- IRP3: Fiberized quantum photon generators and processors: To develop and test micro-nano-structured optical fibres with tailored linear dispersion and highly nonlinear properties that generates high visibility quantum signals (e.g. entangled photons) for information security/secure communication.
- IRP4: Experimental investigation of quantum memories based on rare-earth doped materials.
- IRP1: Durable multifunctional micro-nano-structured surfaces: To develop and optimize simple, scalable, cost and time efficient processes to nanostructure glass surfaces for optoelectronic applications.
- IRP2: Optical surfaces for display with application-specific functionalities: To obtain new functional surfaces based on metal nano-caps and/or atomically thick metals.
- IRP3: Fiberized quantum photon generators and processors: To develop and test micro-nano-structured optical fibres with tailored linear dispersion and highly nonlinear properties that generates high visibility quantum signals (e.g. entangled photons) for information security/secure communication.
- IRP4: Experimental investigation of quantum memories based on rare-earth doped materials.
The outcomes of NANO-GLASS have had a clear impact on both the scientific and industrial communities working in advanced materials and photonics. Through the joint efforts of ICFO and Corning, the project has delivered innovations that directly address key technological challenges in optical integration and functional glass design. The new optical fiber coupling systems and nano-structured glass materials developed within the project represent genuine advances beyond the current state of the art, offering improvements in performance, durability, and scalability. These results have already generated interest from industrial stakeholders and are expected to accelerate the adoption of photonic technologies in sectors such as telecommunications, precision manufacturing, and health technologies.
Beyond their technical value, the NANO-GLASS results also carry significant socio-economic and societal benefits. The copper-based antimicrobial glass technology contributes to public health and hygiene by reducing pathogen transmission in shared and clinical environments, while remaining environmentally sustainable due to its long-term durability and low-maintenance properties. The optical innovations, meanwhile, support the development of energy-efficient and high-speed photonic systems that underpin Europe’s digital transformation. Collectively, these impacts reinforce Europe’s leadership in materials science, demonstrate the value of strong academia–industry collaboration, and showcase how fundamental research can yield practical technologies with broad societal relevance.
Beyond their technical value, the NANO-GLASS results also carry significant socio-economic and societal benefits. The copper-based antimicrobial glass technology contributes to public health and hygiene by reducing pathogen transmission in shared and clinical environments, while remaining environmentally sustainable due to its long-term durability and low-maintenance properties. The optical innovations, meanwhile, support the development of energy-efficient and high-speed photonic systems that underpin Europe’s digital transformation. Collectively, these impacts reinforce Europe’s leadership in materials science, demonstrate the value of strong academia–industry collaboration, and showcase how fundamental research can yield practical technologies with broad societal relevance.
The NANO-GLASS project has achieved clear progress beyond the state of the art in a variety of ways. The two clearest examples are those that were selected for patent protection. The first concerns optical fiber assemblies and systems for precision light coupling, introducing compact architectures that significantly enhance optical coupling efficiency, mechanical robustness, and alignment precision. This development responds to growing industrial demand for stable, miniaturized photonic interfaces in sensing, communication, and laser processing, and will support the next generation of high-performance optical systems.
The second invention focuses on transparent nano-structured glass with embedded functional materials such as copper or cuprous oxide. This approach enables durable antimicrobial and self-cleaning properties without compromising optical transparency, advancing beyond current coating-based solutions. Its potential applications range from biomedical devices and display covers to architectural glass, with direct benefits for hygiene, safety, and sustainability.
Together, these results demonstrate how NANO-GLASS successfully converts fundamental research into innovations with real industrial and societal impact. The work has been reinforced by the strategic collaboration between ICFO and Corning, combining industrial insight with academic excellence to ensure proper IP protection and exploitation. The outcomes not only strengthen Europe’s leadership in photonics and materials science but also contribute to broader societal goals, supporting cleaner, safer technologies and a more resilient innovation ecosystem.
The second invention focuses on transparent nano-structured glass with embedded functional materials such as copper or cuprous oxide. This approach enables durable antimicrobial and self-cleaning properties without compromising optical transparency, advancing beyond current coating-based solutions. Its potential applications range from biomedical devices and display covers to architectural glass, with direct benefits for hygiene, safety, and sustainability.
Together, these results demonstrate how NANO-GLASS successfully converts fundamental research into innovations with real industrial and societal impact. The work has been reinforced by the strategic collaboration between ICFO and Corning, combining industrial insight with academic excellence to ensure proper IP protection and exploitation. The outcomes not only strengthen Europe’s leadership in photonics and materials science but also contribute to broader societal goals, supporting cleaner, safer technologies and a more resilient innovation ecosystem.