FUN
DAMENTALS OF MOLECULAR ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIE SThe FUNMOLS network will tackle major challenges in the field of molecular electronics. Ten internationally-leading European research groups from five different countries [including one of Europe’s leading industrial electronics-research groups (IBM Zürich)] have joined forces as full participants, combining expertise in synthetic chemistry, nanoscale physics and device engineering, surface electrochemistry and high-level electronic structure calculations. Our highly-integrated approach to electron transport through single molecules will represent a major step towards the realisation of future scalable molecular electronics technologies and processes. In the longer term, the insights gained will contribute to the fabrication of novel functional nanoscale architectures and their integration into a higher hierarchical level. System parameters such as electric field, light, temperature and/or chemical reactivity are envisaged as possible drivers of future nanoelectronic devices.
This consortium is strongly committed to promote breakthroughs at the frontier of science. The training dimension of the FUNMOLS network is reflected in the high priority we will give to the training of early stage researchers (ESRs). These include: education and knowledge dissemination through the organisation of Thematic Workshops, Tutorial Courses, Annual Network Meetings, Training Schools, International Conferences and Mobility Programmes. The network as a whole – with a strong focus on interdisciplinary training in this novel field – builds on several fruitful collaborations between the Partner Institutes and seeks to close an existing educational gap in the European Research Arena. The development of complementary skills (presentation, management, technology transfer, IP protection) will be implemented actively throughout the lifetime of the project. A constant interaction with stakeholders beyond those involved primarily in research will be maintained to enhance the international and societal dimension of our research and provide the wider scientific community with information on our new technologies.
Keywords
: molecular electronics; functional molecular assemblies; single-molecule junctions; charge transport; electronic structur
NETWORK PARTICIPANTS
Prof.
Martin R. Bryce Univ. Durham,
UK Dr. Heike
Riel IBM Research GmbH, Prof. Dirk M.
Guldi Univ. Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Univ. Berne, Switzerland Prof. Geoffrey J.
Ashwell Univ. Bangor, UK
Electrical and optical
characterisation of ultra-thin films, nanoscale contacting techniques and
device structures for molecular diodes, molecular wires and
single-molecule electronics Prof. Colin J. Lambert Univ. Quantum transport in hybrid nanostructures, development of
techniques for ab initio
material-specific modeling of transport through nanoscale
superconductors, magnetic multilayers, carbon nanotubes, single molecules
and atomic wires. Prof. Christian Schönenberger Univ. Measurement of electrical transport properties of
single-molecule junctions in liquid environment using
mechanically-controllable and electromigrated break-junctions; gating of
single molecules by means of electrochemistry and/or light. Univ. New
methodology for the synthesis of functionalised building-blocks for molecular
electronics, including novel conjugated oligomers with redox
functionalities. Univ. Measurement
of electronic transport and forces in single-molecule junctions using
STM/AFM at ambient and low temperatures; characterisation of molecular junctions using
vibrational spectroscopy.
(See
more.) I. Sage (Associated
Partner) QinetiQ, Prof. Silvio Decurtins (Associated) Univ. Berne, Switzerland Prof. Heiko Weber (Associated) Univ. Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
Synthesis of functional organic
materials for use as active components in electronic devices, molecular
wires, switches, sensors and information storage systems.
Electrical and optical
characterisation of organic and inorganic semiconductor materials and
devices including measurements of charge carrier transport through single
molecules using the mechanically controllable break-junction technique.
Physical-organic chemistry of
multifunctional materials, time-resolved spectroscopy, surface
characterisation, composition, separation, orientation, and
charge-separation in nanostructured ensembles designed for probing
molecular wire behaviour.
Prof. Thomas
Wandlowski
Molecular-scale surface
electrochemistry, single-molecule electron transport and tunneling,
self-assembly at solid-liquid interfaces, and in situ STM and STS vibrational
spectroscopy.
Prof. Nazario Martín
Synthesis of conjugated molecular
materials incorporating electroactive and photoactive probes for device
applications, including single-molecule
studies.
Prof. Jan O.
Jeppesen
Prof. Nicolás Agraït
Synthetic coordination chemistry.
Mechanically controllable break-junction
measurements.