3D-printed solid oxide cells based on recycled ferrite for a new horizon energy
The proposed research combines materials and technology development to build a green technological horizon, contributing to the EU Green Deal objectives. The activities will be carried out in IMDEA Nanociencia’s research teams leaded by Dr. Alberto Bollero (nanomagnetism and sustainability) and Dr. Gorka Salas (synthesis of nanoparticles), in close collaboration with research centers and companies covering from fabrication of ceramic and metal powder to 3D-printing of functional elements.
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Resistive switching and memristive behavior in 2D materials
The discovery of graphene has spurred the research in a myriad of 2D materials (2DMs) due to their unique electronic, optical, mechanical, and thermal properties. There are several potential applications for 2D materials, such as electronics, optoelectronics, energy storage, catalysis, and sensing. For example, Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) have shown promise in building ultra-thin, flexible, and high-performance transistors.
Ultrafast optical control of phase transitions in 2D materials
Optical excitation with ultrafast laser pulses has emerged as a powerful new way of controlling 2D and quantum materials, leading to the formation of both novel transient and metastable phases. In this project we will explore using coherent control to selectively control the reaction pathway inside 2D quantum materials, enabling switching between different states on demand.
Protein nanocarriers and engineered CRISPR systems for cancer therapy and detection
Since its discovery, CRISPR technology has become the best option for genome editing. As many tumours are caused by mutations, CRISPR is a promising therapeutical approach for this kind of disease, because it can repair DNA mutations in the genome in a sequence-specific manner by Homologous-Directed Repair (HDR). However, the efficacy of this route is low and requires a stable sequence template at the target site. To increase the HDR rate and minimize off targets, the candidate will engineer a CRISPR protein fused to a peptide adaptor, capable of bind covalently a DNA template for HDR mutation repair in situ.
Development of bio-hybrids based on engineered photoactive proteins for photochemical energy conversion
A sustainable future starts with efficient light-energy conversion. In the last decades, molecular systems have been used to study the principles of light-induced charge separation for photocatalysis, solar fuels, and solar cells, among others. The huge challenge is, however, to demonstrate photoinduced charge-separated states with energy and stability on-demand for each application, and new game-changing strategies are required to meet this challenge.
Fundaments of low-dimensional organic matter
In this project, a multidisciplinary effort is set on the study of pi-conjugation in organic and metal-organic materials on surfaces, targeting to achieve physico-chemical properties that go beyond conventional metals and insulators. Accordingly, we plan to synthesize and rationalize the expression of magnetic or complex phases of matter in 1D and 2D organic and metal-organic materials on surfaces.
Development of novel X-ray wave mixing methods and application to condensed matter systems
The research line of X-WaveS (X-ray Wave-mixing Spectroscopy) group is the development of EUV and X-ray wave-mixing methodologies at Free Electron Lasers (FELs) and High Harmonic Generation (HHG) table-top sources and their application to condensed matter systems with particular emphasis on novel nanotechnologies employing 2D materials, quantum materials, nanomagnetic systems, semiconductors and materials for light harvesting and efficient energy storage and conversion.
Intracellular temperature measurements for disease theranostics
The applicant is expected to write an interdisciplinary research proposal in the field of intracellular temperature measurements to diagnose or/and to treat cancer or inflammatory conditions to metabolic disorders. We can work with simulation (simulate the performance of nanothermometers), we can do nanotechnology experiments (design new nanothermometers), cell culture experiments (to unravel diseases mechanism based on intracellular temperature) and animal experiments (treat diseases based on intracellular temperature).
Synthesis and electrical readout of novel MOF-SCO hybrid sensors with advanced sensitivity and selectivity
Novel sensing materials are needed to tackle key unmet challenges in environmental monitoring, defense, energy, health or food quality. Therefore, huge economic and research efforts are constantly being made to develop materials capable to accurately detect target gases (e.g. CO2, NO2 or H2), volatile organic compounds, (e.g. as benzene, formaldehyde), explosives (TNT, TATP), drugs (acetic anhydride, phenylacetone) and molecules such as water
Super-resolution imaging of cell response to nanomechanical actuation
Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (SRFM) is able to improve by an order of magnitude the spatial resolution in light microscopy, and is already having a massive impact in understanding biology at the nanoscale in living systems. Our laboratory is interested in the development of SRFM methods, from new fluorescence labelling strategies to novel hardware implementations.
Single molecule spintronics
We want to use STM operating at room temperature to study single-molecule junctions of compounds relevant for spintronic applications using magnetic electrodes (Ni or Fe for example). We will use the electrochemical chamber to remove oxide from the electrode surface to allow the magnetic molecules to bind correctly to the magnetized electrodes. We also have the ability to oxidise/reduce a molecule temporally using the bias voltage which gives us another avenue to obtain (magnetic) molecules with unpaired electrons.
Quantum transport in novel 2D materials
An ideal candidate will have research interests aligned with: quantum physics, quantum transport, organic electronics (metal- and covalent-organic frameworks), surface science, quantum materials and/or nanodevices. Practical skills on electrical characterization (optical and magneto-electrical) as well as cleanroom-based fabrication processes will be an advantage for the development of the project.
Antibacterial nanomaterials
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a serious threat to public health and a global burden that is expected to get worse in the near future. To overcome this problem, there is an increasing necessity to design new antibacterial agents. One promising and innovative approach consists in the use of nanomaterials with antibacterial properties.
Modelling of 2D materials
a) Novel electronic and structural properties of twisted bilayer graphene and related systems. Extensions to other two dimensional materials: hBN, transition metal dichalcogenides.
b)Stacks of 2D layers with different properties. Combinations of superconducting and magnetic layers. Proximity effects. Role of spin-orbit coupling. Emergence of new features.
c) Interplay between geometric structure and electronic properties. Role of natural and induced deformations.
d) Local modulations of the properties of 2D materials. Application to the design of nanoscale devices.
TweeTERS: Hybridization of optical tweezers with tip-enhanced-Raman spectroscopy to study supramolecular dynamics at the single-molecule level
The aim of TweeTERS is to develop a novel hybrid setup that combines optical tweezers (OT) with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). OT allows measuring and manipulating the real-time kinetics of individual molecular constructs such as synthetic (supra)molecular systems, while TERS provides simultaneous information on the inter- and intra- molecular chemical interactions with single-molecule sensitivity.
Synthesis of new disruptive organic materials for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
The Sun is the most powerful energy source available in our Solar System. The energy that hits our planet is free, clean, renewable and practically limitless. Harvesting this energy in an efficient manner has currently become one of the most important challenges for the scientific community. Photovoltaics (PV) offers a feasible, clean and promising solution to overcome this problem, by harvesting and converting solar energy into electrical power. In the frame of a joint multidisciplinary study, recent results have shown not only a remarkable improvement in device efficiencies, but also a substantial reduction in fabrication costs.
Spintronics-based neuromorphic computation
Technologies based on artificial neural networks are considered to be a promising direction for future artificial intelligence. Artificial synapses and neurons are the building blocks of neuromorphic computation and, therefore, their development is key for the implementation of this technology. Domain-wall spintronics has brought different strategies to the field. In particular, spin-orbit-torque (SOT) magnetization switching and domain wall motion in ferromagnetic materials have been implemented for mimicking both synapses and neurons.
Improving the stability and performance of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials and solar cells
Perovskite solar cells have reached light collection efficiencies of well over 25% just a few years after their first reports. Their great advantage over silicon-based solar cells is their solution-based processability, requiring much less energy than the melting of silicon and therefore leaving a much reduced environmental footprint. Currently, the main challenge in the broader applicability of perovskites is to improve their environmental stability. Reducing the dimensionality of perovskites is one of the most promising approaches to obtain more stable performance.
Advanced therapeutics based on nucleic acids and nanoparticles
The candidate will develop new therapeutic systems based on nucleic acids and nanoparticles. Particularly, the nucleic acids will be mainly based on modified siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides to regulate non-coding RNAs (e.g., microRNAs, LncRNAs). The chemical modifications will be synthesized in the lab and incorporated into the oligonucleotides using an automated DNA/RNA synthesizer. These derivatives will be tested in cell culture for the treatment of different diseases, such as pancreatic cancer, uveal melanoma, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Soft nanostructured bioelectronic interfaces
Neural interfaces are bioelectronic devices capable of stimulating the neural tissue and at the same time recording the electrical signals produced thereupon. Despite the success in neuro stimulation therapies to improve neural disabilities, their long-term implantation is still limited by poor biointegration and risk of a chronic inflammatory response due to the mechanical mismatch between the device and the neural tissue leading to fibrotic tissue formation and eventually loss of contact between the electrode and target tissue.
Unconventional Spintronics: Spin-Orbit nanostructures for novel devices
The transition towards a Green and Secure EU society requires the development of electronic devices more dense, fast and functioning at lower power than the actual semiconductor-based technologies. These prerequisites can be fulfilled in the next years by combining materials in low dimensional multi-layered structures that allow manipulating the magnetic and electronic interactions at play in the systems by acting with an electric field, enabling the realization of novel devices and unconventional computational schemes.
Charge density waves in two-dimensional materials
The experimental advances developed since the discovery of graphene in 2004 by the Nobel laureates A. Geim and K. Novoselov opened up the possibility to study other types of layered materials. Albeit graphene is the most important and studied two-dimensional material. Transition Metal Chalcogenides (TMCs) have been one of the top investigated family of materials in the recent years.
Evaluating neuronal functionality through extracellular vesicles in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The project offered is focused in improving the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, specially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The objective will be to implement the measurement of dynamic functions of neurons such as axonal transport and examine the influence of its modulation trough extracellular vesicles. In addition, several drug candidates will be tested in order to explore their efficacy in the disease models.
Intracellular journey of transition metal catalysts
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death. Despite efforts invested into targeted- and immuno-therapies, current estimates indicate that by 2030 cancer will cause 13M deaths worldwide.
An emerging field promises to provide new ways to modulate the complex chemistry of the cancer cell is intracellular artificial catalysis. Small molecules based on transition metals can facilitate –and amplify– specific chemical reactions inside the cell.
Neuron-bacteria on a chip
Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of the so-called Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) as a bi-directional communication system between the central nervous system and the gut microbiota. The GBA has been recognized as playing an important role in the development and progression of certain neurological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the GBA bidirectional communication are still largely unknown.
Hence, this project is intended to study the GBA to improve our understanding of the nature of its bidirectional communication.