Third Funding Period (03/09 - 02/12) - Overview
The third funding period of the Research Project Cluster (RCP) Nanostructured Surfaces and Interfaces (NSI) brings together six companies and five research institutions with a total of 19 partners/major subcontractors. It is based on the expertise and infrastructure of the NanoScience/Technology Center Linz (NSTL), a common project of the Technical/Natural Science Faculty (TNF) of the Johannes Kepler Universität (JKU) and the Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR).
NSI consists of eight research projects (RP) organized in the three Topical Fields: TF1: Bio-Nanotechnology, TF2: Nanocomposites, and TF3: Surfaces and Interfaces.
These three TFs represent main competence areas of NSTL and the RPC consortium. Additional contributions come from a fourth TF in Linz, Semiconductor Nanostructures, which provides top-down and bottom up nanostructuring techniques as well as nanoanalytics.
In the following the RPs are briefly introduced and assigned to the respective TF. BI projects are basic research projects following the refereeing and funding rules of FWF, the Austrian Science Foundation, BII projects are industry-led applied research projects following the rules of FFG, the Austrian Funding Agency for Industrial Research.
1. Bio-Nanotechnology
1.1 Nanostructured und Biofunctionalized Surfaces (NABIOS)
This BI project employs nanostructured templates to localize individual biomolecules, which are then characterized either by fluorescence microscopy or atomic force microscopy (AFM). Potential applications of NABIOS are fast DNA sequencing and screening tests.
1.2 Nano-Biocompatible Polymerfoils (NBPF)
This BI project has successfully developed nano-patterning methods of polymer surfaces, which allow the control of cell growth and proliferation. The present objective of NBPF is the development of optimized nano-features on polymer supports for direct control of cell differentiation in tissue engineering applications.
1.3 Fast Active Bio-Cantilever (FABICAN)
This BII project aims toward the development of fast, active cantilevers for next-generation AFM instruments. This project is strongly linked to the AFM part of NABIOS.
2. Nanocomposites
2.1 Shape Controlled Nanocrystals for Magneto-Electronic Applications (NanoShape)
This BI project aims toward optimized properties of magnetic nanocrystals, modified molecular shells, the demonstration of magneto-electronic device operation with these nanocrystals, and magneto-transport at single nano-particles.
2.3 Functional Nanoscale Additives for Coating Powder Polymer Materials (NanoPow)
This BII project develops and optimizes nanoscale inorganic additives for the production of transparent and long-term UV-stable coating materials based on polyester resins.
2.2 Thermal Conducting Polymer Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials (PolyTube)
This BII project developed from the former project SolTube, and is now exclusively concentrated on the thermal conductivity of polymer materials that are filled with carbon nanotubes and -fibers. An additional industrial partner was recruited, who provides expertise in plastic molding and filling.
3. Nanoanalytics
3.1 Analytics on nanosized objects based on electron- or light interaction with matter (NanoProbe)
Bridging the aforementioned Topical Fields 1 and 2, BI RP NanoProbe (Analytics on nanosized objects based on electron- or light interaction with matter) was added for the third funding period to account for the need of the consortium for the development and utilization of nanoanalytical techniques. NanoProbe is based on electron microscopy and optical nanoanalytical techniques, which are of major importance to the consortium. The role of NanoProbe is on the one hand scientific research of its own right, aiming toward the further development of the two techniques, and, on the other hand, service functions for the demanding tasks of the consortium regarding nanaoanalytics for structural, compositional and magnetic characterization. Felmi in Graz contributes as a new strategic partner, providing complementary infrastructure and expertise in the field of transmission electron microscopy.