Project acronym ADJUV-ANT VACCINES
Project Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms of Synthetic Saponin Adjuvants and Development of Novel Self-Adjuvanting Vaccines
Researcher (PI) Alberto FERNANDEZ TEJADA
Host Institution (HI) ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOCIENCIAS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2016-STG
Summary The clinical success of anticancer and antiviral vaccines often requires the use of an adjuvant, a substance that helps stimulate the body’s immune response to the vaccine, making it work better. However, few adjuvants are sufficiently potent and non-toxic for clinical use; moreover, it is not really known how they work. Current vaccine approaches based on weak carbohydrate and glycopeptide antigens are not being particularly effective to induce the human immune system to mount an effective fight against cancer. Despite intensive research and several clinical trials, no such carbohydrate-based antitumor vaccine has yet been approved for public use. In this context, the proposed project has a double, ultimate goal based on applying chemistry to address the above clear gaps in the adjuvant-vaccine field. First, I will develop new improved adjuvants and novel chemical strategies towards more effective, self-adjuvanting synthetic vaccines. Second, I will probe deeply into the molecular mechanisms of the synthetic constructs by combining extensive immunological evaluations with molecular target identification and detailed conformational studies. Thus, the singularity of this multidisciplinary proposal stems from the integration of its main objectives and approaches connecting chemical synthesis and chemical/structural biology with cellular and molecular immunology. This ground-breaking project at the chemistry-biology frontier will allow me to establish my own independent research group and explore key unresolved mechanistic questions in the adjuvant/vaccine arena with extraordinary chemical precision. Therefore, with this transformative and timely research program I aim to (a) develop novel synthetic antitumor and antiviral vaccines with improved properties and efficacy for their prospective translation into the clinic and (b) gain new critical insights into the molecular basis and three-dimensional structure underlying the biological activity of these constructs.
Summary
The clinical success of anticancer and antiviral vaccines often requires the use of an adjuvant, a substance that helps stimulate the body’s immune response to the vaccine, making it work better. However, few adjuvants are sufficiently potent and non-toxic for clinical use; moreover, it is not really known how they work. Current vaccine approaches based on weak carbohydrate and glycopeptide antigens are not being particularly effective to induce the human immune system to mount an effective fight against cancer. Despite intensive research and several clinical trials, no such carbohydrate-based antitumor vaccine has yet been approved for public use. In this context, the proposed project has a double, ultimate goal based on applying chemistry to address the above clear gaps in the adjuvant-vaccine field. First, I will develop new improved adjuvants and novel chemical strategies towards more effective, self-adjuvanting synthetic vaccines. Second, I will probe deeply into the molecular mechanisms of the synthetic constructs by combining extensive immunological evaluations with molecular target identification and detailed conformational studies. Thus, the singularity of this multidisciplinary proposal stems from the integration of its main objectives and approaches connecting chemical synthesis and chemical/structural biology with cellular and molecular immunology. This ground-breaking project at the chemistry-biology frontier will allow me to establish my own independent research group and explore key unresolved mechanistic questions in the adjuvant/vaccine arena with extraordinary chemical precision. Therefore, with this transformative and timely research program I aim to (a) develop novel synthetic antitumor and antiviral vaccines with improved properties and efficacy for their prospective translation into the clinic and (b) gain new critical insights into the molecular basis and three-dimensional structure underlying the biological activity of these constructs.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 219 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-03-01, End date: 2022-02-28
Project acronym chem-fs-MOF
Project Chemical Engineering of Functional Stable Metal-Organic Frameworks: Porous Crystals and Thin Film Devices
Researcher (PI) Carlos MARTI-GASTALDO
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2016-STG
Summary Metal-Organic-Frameworks (MOFs) offer appealing advantages over classical solids from combination of high surface areas with the crystallinity of inorganic materials and the synthetic versatility (unlimited combination of metals and linkers for fine tuning of properties) and processability of organic materials. Provided chemical stability, I expect combination of porosity with manipulable electrical and optical properties to open a new world of possibilities, with MOFs playing an emerging role in fields of key environmental value like photovoltaics, photocatalysis or electrocatalysis. The conventional insulating character of MOFs and their poor chemical stability (only a minimum fraction are hydrolytically stable) are arguably the two key limitations hindering further development in this context.
With chem-fs-MOF I expect to deliver:
1. New synthetic routes specifically designed for producing new, hydrolytically stable Fe(III) and Ti(IV)-MOFs (new synthetic platforms for new materials).
2. More advanced crystalline materials to feature tunable function by chemical manipulation of MOF’s optical/electrical properties and pore activity (function-led chemical engineering).
3. High-quality ultrathin films, reliant on the transfer of single-layers, alongside establishing the techniques required for evaluating their electric properties (key to device integration). Recent works on graphene and layered dichalcogenides anticipate the benefits of nanostructuration for more efficient optoelectronic devices. Notwithstanding great potential, this possibility remains still unexplored for MOFs.
Overall, I seek to exploit MOFs’ unparalleled chemical/structural flexibility to produce advanced crystalline materials that combine hydrolytical stability and tunable performance to be used in environmentally relevant applications like visible light photocatalysis. This is an emerging research front that holds great potential for influencing future R&D in Chemistry and Materials Science.
Summary
Metal-Organic-Frameworks (MOFs) offer appealing advantages over classical solids from combination of high surface areas with the crystallinity of inorganic materials and the synthetic versatility (unlimited combination of metals and linkers for fine tuning of properties) and processability of organic materials. Provided chemical stability, I expect combination of porosity with manipulable electrical and optical properties to open a new world of possibilities, with MOFs playing an emerging role in fields of key environmental value like photovoltaics, photocatalysis or electrocatalysis. The conventional insulating character of MOFs and their poor chemical stability (only a minimum fraction are hydrolytically stable) are arguably the two key limitations hindering further development in this context.
With chem-fs-MOF I expect to deliver:
1. New synthetic routes specifically designed for producing new, hydrolytically stable Fe(III) and Ti(IV)-MOFs (new synthetic platforms for new materials).
2. More advanced crystalline materials to feature tunable function by chemical manipulation of MOF’s optical/electrical properties and pore activity (function-led chemical engineering).
3. High-quality ultrathin films, reliant on the transfer of single-layers, alongside establishing the techniques required for evaluating their electric properties (key to device integration). Recent works on graphene and layered dichalcogenides anticipate the benefits of nanostructuration for more efficient optoelectronic devices. Notwithstanding great potential, this possibility remains still unexplored for MOFs.
Overall, I seek to exploit MOFs’ unparalleled chemical/structural flexibility to produce advanced crystalline materials that combine hydrolytical stability and tunable performance to be used in environmentally relevant applications like visible light photocatalysis. This is an emerging research front that holds great potential for influencing future R&D in Chemistry and Materials Science.
Max ERC Funding
1 527 351 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31
Project acronym e-Sequence
Project e-Sequence: a sequential approach to engineer heteroatom doped graphene nanoribbons for electronic applications
Researcher (PI) Aurelio MATEO ALONSO
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE5, ERC-2016-COG
Summary Graphene nanoribbons (NR) are quasi-1D nanostructures with discrete band gaps, ballistic conduction, and one-atom thickness. Such properties make them ideal candidates to develop low-dimensional semiconductors, which are essential components in nanoelectronics. Atomically-precise control over the structure of NR (width, length, edge, doping) is crucial to fully exploit their potential. However, current approaches for the synthesis of NR suffer from several drawbacks that do not allow attaining such level of precision, therefore alternative methods need to be sought.
e-Sequence will develop an unprecedented approach that assembles stepwise small molecular building blocks into NR to specifically target the most important challenges in NR synthesis. Such approach will enable the preparation of an unlimited number of NR with atomically-precise control over their structure and with almost no synthetic and purification effort, exceeding the limits of existing methods.
The impact of e-Sequence will not be limited to NR synthesis but it will also extend to other disciplines, since NR are promising candidates to develop new technologies with applications in electronics, sensing, photonics, energy storage and conversion, spintronics, etc.
e-Sequence ambitious research programme will be orchestrated by an independent scientist with an excellent track record of achievements in low-dimensional carbon nanostructures, and who has already established a fledgling and internationally competitive research group. Building on this and on his recent permanent appointment as Research Professor, the award of this ERC project will enable him to consolidate his group, build a portfolio of excellent research, and produce results that compete on the world stage.
Summary
Graphene nanoribbons (NR) are quasi-1D nanostructures with discrete band gaps, ballistic conduction, and one-atom thickness. Such properties make them ideal candidates to develop low-dimensional semiconductors, which are essential components in nanoelectronics. Atomically-precise control over the structure of NR (width, length, edge, doping) is crucial to fully exploit their potential. However, current approaches for the synthesis of NR suffer from several drawbacks that do not allow attaining such level of precision, therefore alternative methods need to be sought.
e-Sequence will develop an unprecedented approach that assembles stepwise small molecular building blocks into NR to specifically target the most important challenges in NR synthesis. Such approach will enable the preparation of an unlimited number of NR with atomically-precise control over their structure and with almost no synthetic and purification effort, exceeding the limits of existing methods.
The impact of e-Sequence will not be limited to NR synthesis but it will also extend to other disciplines, since NR are promising candidates to develop new technologies with applications in electronics, sensing, photonics, energy storage and conversion, spintronics, etc.
e-Sequence ambitious research programme will be orchestrated by an independent scientist with an excellent track record of achievements in low-dimensional carbon nanostructures, and who has already established a fledgling and internationally competitive research group. Building on this and on his recent permanent appointment as Research Professor, the award of this ERC project will enable him to consolidate his group, build a portfolio of excellent research, and produce results that compete on the world stage.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-11-01, End date: 2022-10-31
Project acronym GNOC
Project Towards a Gaussian Network-on-Chip
Researcher (PI) Isaac Keslassy
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2007-StG
Summary As chip multi-processor architectures are replacing single-processor architectures and reshaping the semiconductor industry, chip designers can hardly use their old models and benchmarks anymore. While designers were used to deterministic and reliable performance in the chips, they now face networks with unreliable traffic patterns, unreliable throughput and unreliable delays, hence making it hard to provide any guaranteed Quality-of-Service (QoS). In this proposal, we argue that chip designers should focus on the possible set of traffic patterns in their Network-on-Chip (NoC) architectures. We first show how to provide deterministic QoS guarantees by exploiting these patterns. Then, we explain why the cost of providing deterministic guarantees might become prohibitive, and defend an alternative statistical approach that can significantly lower the area and power. To do so, we introduce Gaussian-based NoC models, and show how they can be used to evaluate link loads, delays and throughputs, as well as redesign the routing and capacity allocation algorithms. Finally, we argue that these models could effectively complement current benchmarks, and should be a central component in the toolbox of the future NoC designer.
Summary
As chip multi-processor architectures are replacing single-processor architectures and reshaping the semiconductor industry, chip designers can hardly use their old models and benchmarks anymore. While designers were used to deterministic and reliable performance in the chips, they now face networks with unreliable traffic patterns, unreliable throughput and unreliable delays, hence making it hard to provide any guaranteed Quality-of-Service (QoS). In this proposal, we argue that chip designers should focus on the possible set of traffic patterns in their Network-on-Chip (NoC) architectures. We first show how to provide deterministic QoS guarantees by exploiting these patterns. Then, we explain why the cost of providing deterministic guarantees might become prohibitive, and defend an alternative statistical approach that can significantly lower the area and power. To do so, we introduce Gaussian-based NoC models, and show how they can be used to evaluate link loads, delays and throughputs, as well as redesign the routing and capacity allocation algorithms. Finally, we argue that these models could effectively complement current benchmarks, and should be a central component in the toolbox of the future NoC designer.
Max ERC Funding
582 500 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-08-01, End date: 2012-07-31
Project acronym PROPERTY TESTING
Project Property testing and sublinear algorithms for languages and combinatorial properties
Researcher (PI) Eldar Fischer
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2007-StG
Summary Property testing, an investigation started in [Blum, Luby and Rubinfeld, 1993], [Rubinfeld and Sudan, 1996], and [Goldreich, Goldwasser and Ron, 1996], deals with the following general question: Distinguish, using as few queries as possible, between the case where the input satisfies a certain property, and the case where the input is epsilon-far from this, i.e. the case where there is no way to make the input satisfy the given property even if it is modified in an epsilon fraction of its positions. Ideally the number of queries, i.e. the size of the portion of the input that is read by the (probabilistic) algorithm, depends only on epsilon and does not depend at all on the input length. However, algorithms that read more than a constant amount, as long as it is sublinear in the input size, are also deemed interesting. The related topic of sublinear algorithms concentrate on similar notions of approximation, but with the stronger requirement that the running time (rather than query complexity) that is less than the order of the input size. The purpose of this proposal is to investigate advanced topics in the frontier of property testing, especially with respect to the relation of the easiness of testing to other notions of complexity, and to investigate possible uses of ideas from property testing in other fields of computer science. Particular emphasis will be given to hypergraph-like models, sparse models, and models in which the description of the property in itself is represented as a graph or a combinatorial structure. The latter holds particular promise with regards to applications both inside and outside theoretical CS. Some topics going beyond testing (such as stronger testing notions, and testing-related notions from Probabilistically Checkable Proofs) will also be addressed.
Summary
Property testing, an investigation started in [Blum, Luby and Rubinfeld, 1993], [Rubinfeld and Sudan, 1996], and [Goldreich, Goldwasser and Ron, 1996], deals with the following general question: Distinguish, using as few queries as possible, between the case where the input satisfies a certain property, and the case where the input is epsilon-far from this, i.e. the case where there is no way to make the input satisfy the given property even if it is modified in an epsilon fraction of its positions. Ideally the number of queries, i.e. the size of the portion of the input that is read by the (probabilistic) algorithm, depends only on epsilon and does not depend at all on the input length. However, algorithms that read more than a constant amount, as long as it is sublinear in the input size, are also deemed interesting. The related topic of sublinear algorithms concentrate on similar notions of approximation, but with the stronger requirement that the running time (rather than query complexity) that is less than the order of the input size. The purpose of this proposal is to investigate advanced topics in the frontier of property testing, especially with respect to the relation of the easiness of testing to other notions of complexity, and to investigate possible uses of ideas from property testing in other fields of computer science. Particular emphasis will be given to hypergraph-like models, sparse models, and models in which the description of the property in itself is represented as a graph or a combinatorial structure. The latter holds particular promise with regards to applications both inside and outside theoretical CS. Some topics going beyond testing (such as stronger testing notions, and testing-related notions from Probabilistically Checkable Proofs) will also be addressed.
Max ERC Funding
963 540 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-07-01, End date: 2013-06-30
Project acronym S-CAGE
Project Smart Coordination Polymers with Compartmentalized Pockets for Adaptive Guest Entrance
Researcher (PI) Guillermo MINGUEZ ESPALLARGAS
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE5, ERC-2016-COG
Summary The S-CAGE project aims to develop a new generation of crystalline solids with periodically-organized discrete voids, or compartments, that would benefit from the combination of the high stability and robustness of dense materials with the structural diversity and versatility (and therefore large applicability) of open frameworks. These coordination polymers (CPs) will be capable of interacting with guest species in the absence of large channels or permanent pores due to the presence of dynamic entrances. This could open new horizons towards the design of unprecedented materials as an enhanced interplay between the guests and the frameworks will be achieved resulting from the confined space of the compartmentalized pockets.
The main goals of S-CAGE will be:
i) Chemical design of compartmentalized 1D, 2D and 3D coordination polymers. These materials will be designed in such a way that they will provide ideal room to accommodate different guest molecules, which can be easily tuned depending on the target guest.
ii) Advanced structural characterization, including modern diffraction studies under pressure of gas and volatile guests. This strategy will provide unequivocal prove of the location of the guest molecules in the internal voids and gain insights of the mechanism of entrance. The direct visualization of the modes of interactions of different gases will permit a deep comprehension of the nature of their interaction.
iii) Gas separation studies. My goal will be the development of materials that could specially serve for gas separation and improve the performances of zeolites and MOFs by implementation of dynamic entities into the framework.
iv) Sensing capabilities through changes in magnetic properties. The chemical design followed in S-CAGE will result in magnetic CPs with confined spaces which should enhance the interaction of the guest molecules with the framework, and thus a change in their magnetism is expected.
Summary
The S-CAGE project aims to develop a new generation of crystalline solids with periodically-organized discrete voids, or compartments, that would benefit from the combination of the high stability and robustness of dense materials with the structural diversity and versatility (and therefore large applicability) of open frameworks. These coordination polymers (CPs) will be capable of interacting with guest species in the absence of large channels or permanent pores due to the presence of dynamic entrances. This could open new horizons towards the design of unprecedented materials as an enhanced interplay between the guests and the frameworks will be achieved resulting from the confined space of the compartmentalized pockets.
The main goals of S-CAGE will be:
i) Chemical design of compartmentalized 1D, 2D and 3D coordination polymers. These materials will be designed in such a way that they will provide ideal room to accommodate different guest molecules, which can be easily tuned depending on the target guest.
ii) Advanced structural characterization, including modern diffraction studies under pressure of gas and volatile guests. This strategy will provide unequivocal prove of the location of the guest molecules in the internal voids and gain insights of the mechanism of entrance. The direct visualization of the modes of interactions of different gases will permit a deep comprehension of the nature of their interaction.
iii) Gas separation studies. My goal will be the development of materials that could specially serve for gas separation and improve the performances of zeolites and MOFs by implementation of dynamic entities into the framework.
iv) Sensing capabilities through changes in magnetic properties. The chemical design followed in S-CAGE will result in magnetic CPs with confined spaces which should enhance the interaction of the guest molecules with the framework, and thus a change in their magnetism is expected.
Max ERC Funding
1 998 750 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-05-01, End date: 2022-04-30
Project acronym SFEROT
Project Secure Function Evaluation – from Theory to Tools
Researcher (PI) Benny Pinkas
Host Institution (HI) BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2007-StG
Summary Modern cryptography is known for the introduction of public key cryptography, which has been widely applied in practice. However, the theory of cryptography provided additional powerful (and less intuitive) tools. One of its most attractive contributions is secure computation, also known as secure function evaluation - SFE, which allows multiple participants to implement a joint computation that, in real life, may only be implemented using a trusted party. The participants, each with its own private input, communicate without the help of any trusted party, and can compute any function without revealing any information about the inputs except for the value of the function. A classic example of such a computation is the “millionaires’ problem”, in which two millionaires want to find out who is richer, without revealing their actual worth. Thus far, secure computation techniques have rarely been applied in practice, and are typically considered to have mostly theoretical significance. In this research proposal we intend to build tools that translate these theoretical results into practical applications. Our goal is that secure computation solutions, which today are usually stated as mathematical theorems, will be available as tools usable by non-experts, similar to state-of-the-art tools for technologies such as public key encryption, linear programming, or data compression. The research will proceed in two directions: First, we will develop generic tools (essentially compilers) which translate functions defined using a high-level language to distributed programs that implement secure evaluation of the defined functions. We also expect that this effort will unearth many questions of theoretical interest, which we will investigate. Our other direction of research is the design of specialized, and highly efficient, solutions to key tasks which have conflicting goals of respecting privacy and enabling legitimate usage of data.
Summary
Modern cryptography is known for the introduction of public key cryptography, which has been widely applied in practice. However, the theory of cryptography provided additional powerful (and less intuitive) tools. One of its most attractive contributions is secure computation, also known as secure function evaluation - SFE, which allows multiple participants to implement a joint computation that, in real life, may only be implemented using a trusted party. The participants, each with its own private input, communicate without the help of any trusted party, and can compute any function without revealing any information about the inputs except for the value of the function. A classic example of such a computation is the “millionaires’ problem”, in which two millionaires want to find out who is richer, without revealing their actual worth. Thus far, secure computation techniques have rarely been applied in practice, and are typically considered to have mostly theoretical significance. In this research proposal we intend to build tools that translate these theoretical results into practical applications. Our goal is that secure computation solutions, which today are usually stated as mathematical theorems, will be available as tools usable by non-experts, similar to state-of-the-art tools for technologies such as public key encryption, linear programming, or data compression. The research will proceed in two directions: First, we will develop generic tools (essentially compilers) which translate functions defined using a high-level language to distributed programs that implement secure evaluation of the defined functions. We also expect that this effort will unearth many questions of theoretical interest, which we will investigate. Our other direction of research is the design of specialized, and highly efficient, solutions to key tasks which have conflicting goals of respecting privacy and enabling legitimate usage of data.
Max ERC Funding
606 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-10-01, End date: 2013-09-30
Project acronym Tmol4TRANS
Project Efficient electronic transport at room temperature by T-shaped molecules in graphene based chemically modified three-terminal nanodevices
Researcher (PI) Nuria ALIAGA-ALCALDE
Host Institution (HI) AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE5, ERC-2016-COG
Summary Tmol4TRANS aims to create operative molecular systems that will efficiently be inserted in three-terminal nanodevices to function as transistors at room temperature (RT).
In the front-line of molecular electronics, the implementation of functional nanodevices in present technologies is mainly hampered by crucial unresolved issues like: a) reliability of RT experiments on molecular transistors; b) absence of controlled methodologies to deposit single molecules at specific sites; c) low conductance values and d) difficulties in achieving effective three-terminal devices (BJTs/FETs). Such hindrances involve the nature of the molecules, the absence of controlled deposition methodologies at the nanoscale and the poor stability/contacts between molecules and electrodes.
Stable two-terminal nanodevice based on few-layer graphene and containing a Curcuminoid molecule (CCMoid) that I made has shown reasonable molecular conductance at RT, where the CCMoid anchors to the electrodes by pi-pi stacking. The specific goals of Tmol4TRANS are: 1) to synthesize multifunctional molecules base on “T-shaped” CCMoids and Porphyrin derivatives (PPDs) allowing efficient attachments to electrodes; 2) to fabricate chemically functionalized hybrid graphene transistors; 3) to establish a reliable methodology for positioning the molecules between the electrodes; 4) to investigate the conductance enhancement of the final systems, and 5) to provide the possibility of spin-dependent transport properties by binding such molecules to magnetic metals. Here, the preparation of nanodevices involves feedback-controlled burning technique for the formation of the few-layer graphene electrodes (source/emitter and drain/collector) and the chemical functionalization of the gate/base, where T-shaped molecules will be fixed by click-chemistry. Tmol4TRANS would have a direct impact in Molecular Electronics and Spintronics, as well as in the broader scope of nanoelectronics.
Summary
Tmol4TRANS aims to create operative molecular systems that will efficiently be inserted in three-terminal nanodevices to function as transistors at room temperature (RT).
In the front-line of molecular electronics, the implementation of functional nanodevices in present technologies is mainly hampered by crucial unresolved issues like: a) reliability of RT experiments on molecular transistors; b) absence of controlled methodologies to deposit single molecules at specific sites; c) low conductance values and d) difficulties in achieving effective three-terminal devices (BJTs/FETs). Such hindrances involve the nature of the molecules, the absence of controlled deposition methodologies at the nanoscale and the poor stability/contacts between molecules and electrodes.
Stable two-terminal nanodevice based on few-layer graphene and containing a Curcuminoid molecule (CCMoid) that I made has shown reasonable molecular conductance at RT, where the CCMoid anchors to the electrodes by pi-pi stacking. The specific goals of Tmol4TRANS are: 1) to synthesize multifunctional molecules base on “T-shaped” CCMoids and Porphyrin derivatives (PPDs) allowing efficient attachments to electrodes; 2) to fabricate chemically functionalized hybrid graphene transistors; 3) to establish a reliable methodology for positioning the molecules between the electrodes; 4) to investigate the conductance enhancement of the final systems, and 5) to provide the possibility of spin-dependent transport properties by binding such molecules to magnetic metals. Here, the preparation of nanodevices involves feedback-controlled burning technique for the formation of the few-layer graphene electrodes (source/emitter and drain/collector) and the chemical functionalization of the gate/base, where T-shaped molecules will be fixed by click-chemistry. Tmol4TRANS would have a direct impact in Molecular Electronics and Spintronics, as well as in the broader scope of nanoelectronics.
Max ERC Funding
1 998 879 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-03-01, End date: 2022-02-28
