StretchBio started on September 2021 and will continue until the end of August 2025. The project is structured in eight work packages (WPs), out of which five, namely WP2 to WP6, are technical. On the other hand, WP1 addresses the ethical aspects, WP7 covers the management and coordination of the overall activity, and WP8 focuses on dissemination, training and exploitation activities.
In WP2 the photonic crystals, on which the proposed nanodevice is based, are considered from a theoretical point of view, while the fabrication and testing strategy is developed in WP3. WP4 focuses on the compatibility and adhesion between the nanopillar materials and the living tissues. The light sources, detectors, and the coupling to the nanodevice are treated in WP5. In the last technical work package, WP6, the validation of the whole nanosystem and the performance assessment is addressed. As this is being written, work is running in all WPs.
For reporting period RP1, efforts have been mainly focused on attaining the first project objective (device fabrication), while the second one (device validation) will be searched in the next stages of the project once the technology is more mature (reporting periods RP2 and RP3).
The following results have been achieved so far:
a) Objective 1.1: Designing photonic devices formed by arrays of nanopillars, containing one or more narrower nanopillars, and simulating the light transmission variations upon the mechanical deflection of the narrower nanopillars. Completed.
b) Objective 1.2: Fabricating the photonic devices and measuring the light transmission through them upon mechanical deflection, providing two-dimensional force distribution maps, which will constitute a force nanosensor. Partially completed due to limitations of the use of Electron Beam Facility for samples production.
c) Objective 1.3: Developing the theoretical background of the interaction between the nanopillar arrays and the ex vivo tissues. Preliminary but promising results validated. Further studies required
d) Objective 1.4: Developing a compact optical excitation and readout system for the nanosensor. The first prototype has been envisaged and designed.
On the other hand, as far as dissemination and exploitation go, the consortium has taken its first steps to designing and put into practice a meaningful plan to reach the project stakeholders in the coming years. The implementation has been however limited due to the fact that project outputs are still in their infancy. Nevertheless, in this regard, the following milestones have been achieved.
1) Visual project guidelines created (ex. logo);
2) Communication channels up and running (ex. project website and Twitter account);
3) Dedicated ZENODO portal and first contributions to the Open Data initiative;
4) First communications initiatives completed (ex. press release and contributions to outreach activities such as the European Researcher's Night);
5) First scientific dissemination activities (ex. contributions to international conferences such as MRS Fall Meeting 2021 and MNE 2022);
6) Preliminary contacts with EIC representatives to evaluate the future exploitation strategy, and;
7) Contribution to the EU Innovation Radar Initiative.
