| Title | Researcher Country/Name/Affiliation/ Position |
Research Project | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nanoparticle Supramolecular Frameworks as Advanced Nanoporous Materials (SUPRAPOROUS) | JAPAN Takuzo AIDA, The University of Tokyo, Professor |
Current porous synthetic materials are produced by certain structural motifs such as zeolites, mesoporous silicates, covalent organic frameworks, and metal organic frameworks. In this project, we propose a completely new type of hybrid porous architectures that employ hierarchically self-assembled supramolecular polymers (STPs) together with gold nanoparticles as cross-linking modules (AuNPs). The nanoparticle size, shape, and its ligand functionalization are expected to allow for modulating the porosity and chemical properties of the conceptually new porous hybrid architectures. Plasmonic nanoparticles will be equipped with chemical seeds and stopper ligands, thereby modulating the growth of supramolecular polymers on the nanoparticle surface, controlling the number of crosslinking points, and directionality of the supramolecular nanotubes. Furthermore, tubular supramolecular polymers will also allow for further tuning of the pore size, chirality, and chemical functionalization. The resulting nanoparticle supramolecular frameworks (NSFs) will go beyond the state of the art in porous materials as they present a new architecture that will combine multiple different characteristics of supramolecular polymers such as biocompatibility, stimuli responsiveness, and chirality, together with the plasmonic and optical properties of metal nanoparticles. The resulting hybrid frameworks could be potentially used as orthogonal double channel porous materials, nano-containers, and drug delivery vehicles and substrates for cell regeneration. In order to achieve the research goal, we assembled an ideal team with a high-level of scientific and international excellences. |
| SPAIN Javier MONTENEGRO, Santiago de Compostela University, Professor |
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| GERMANY Wolfgang PARAK, Universität Hamburg, Professor |
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| LITHUANIA Edvinas ORENTAS, UAB Ferentis, Scientific adviser |
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| 2 | Functional Porous Cementitious Nanocomposites for Heat Storage in Buildings Using Phase Change Materials (PoroPCM) | JAPAN Tetsuya ISHIDA, The University of Tokyo, Professor |
Developing a multifunctional Phase Change Materials modified porous cementitious nanocomposite (PoroPCM) that can be used for storing large amounts of heat energy in the insulation layer of buildings is the main aim of joint synergetic Japan-EU consortium. With this project, partners have the ambition to develop an innovative functional material that combines high conductivity, high insulation capabilities, and high storage capacities within one highly porous cementitious system. The proposed smart technology will encompass a multiscale experimental and numerical approach which covers advanced nanotechnology-based solutions to a full-scale demonstration project. The consortium partners, consisting of excellent universities, research institutes and ambitious SME companies, have the strong ambition to build this new technology in a joint international framework while supporting sustainable and multilateral research cooperation and promoting transnational mobilities between Japan and the European partners. |
| GERMANY E.A.B. Koenders, TU Darmstadt, Professor |
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| SPAIN J. Dolado, Spanish National Research Council, Senior Researcher |
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| CZECH REPUBLIC R. Pukl, Cervenka Consulting, Project Manager |
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| 3 | Printable Fully Inorganic Porous Metal Oxide Based Perovskite Solar Cells: Defining Charge Selective Oxides for High-efficient and Low-cost Device Structure (PROPER) | JAPAN Seigo ITO, University of Hyogo, Professor |
The functionalization of charge selective porous metal oxide electrode layers is crucial for achieving high efficiency in novel solar cell concepts. Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted an impressive attention in the photovoltaic and optoelectronic world because of their striking and remarkable properties. Printable inorganic porous metal oxides with carbon/graphite counterelectrodes will compose the enhanced cell structure for a uni-directional charge transport resulting in open circuit voltages heading to the theoretical limit of 1.3 V and cell efficiencies larger than 18% with up-scalable materials and processes. This will contribute to the development of an efficient and sustainable PV technology which can be produced locally. The project partners have been selected from different branches of knowledge to assure an all-embracing analysis and innovative solutions, including the addition of graphene oxide, the use of the largest soft X-ray synchrotron in Japan and patented perovskite solution approaches. Active exchange of junior researchers and know-how are planned to be the basis for the success of this joint project. The project is accompanied by two companies for the assessment of the industrial relevance and demonstration of large area devices. With the aim to increase the visibility of the collaboration and to promote interaction and discussion with external research institutes and interested companies, three focused symposia are planned at the project partners’ institutions. Finally, the presentation of results at international conferences and joint publications in scientific journals are planned. |
| GERMANY Andreas HINSCH, Fraunhofer ISE, Senior research fellow |
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| FRANCE Lionel FLANDIN, LEPMI, Professor |
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| 4 | Scientific Upgrading of Novel Multi-dimensional Microporous Catalysts for Green Chemical Reactions (MicroGreen) | JAPAN Yoshihiro KUBOTA, Yokohama National University, Professor |
In this project, scientific and technical innovation of highly selective oxidation catalysis will be performed in the field of so-called “green chemistry”, mainly using YNU-5 (framework type code: YFI) which is a new type of zeolite very recently synthesized in Yokohama National University (YNU), in addition to some other new type zeolites with multidimensional large pores. We (Japanese team) are focusing on new type materials such as MSE-type zeolites in order to explore the full potential of multi-dimensional large pore characteristics of these materials. Through this investigation, we have developed our original preparation techniques of titanosilicates as oxidation catalysts as well as aluminosilicates as solid acid catalysts, both of which show excellent activity and selectivity. Based on the knowledge obtained during these investigations, we will control the active site distributions and thus the catalytic performance of the multidimensional large-pore zeolites including YNU-5 and above-mentioned new type zeolites in industrially relevant reactions, especially oxidation. The distribution of active sites will be studied by means of in situ IR, UV-vis, and NMR techniques in France, and the difference in energy depending on different distributions of active sites in the zeolite framework will be determined by computational chemistry in Bulgaria. By feeding back these studies to each other, we will create a new catalyst that realizes ultra-selective catalytic reactions conforming to the concept of green chemistry, which could be used by the Japanese and partners’ industries. |
| FRANCE Valentin VALTCHEV, National Centre for Scientific Research, Research Director |
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| BULGARIA Petko PETKOV, University of Sofia, Associate Professor |
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| 5 | Outperforming Functionality: Composite/Mixed Matrix Porous Materials in Membrane-Based Processes (X-MEM) | JAPAN Izumi KUMAKIRI, Yamaguchi University, Associate Professor |
The X-MEM project consortium aims at gaining mechanisms insights on the functionality in terms of reactivity, selectivity and efficiency of photocatalytic- and electro-active porous materials using systematization of synthesis variables and nano-scale management approaches. In particular we will apply this methodology to develop and improve the functionality of membrane materials where their efficient function relies on optimizing their porous structure. The intention behind this approach is finding new avenues of common design principles of traditional and most recent innovative materials and paving the way to boost their effectiveness. The results from this analysis will be further used to optimize the design of novel and more efficient materials. The expertise of the consortium partners in a broad typology of functional porous materials, synthesis and characterization techniques and for very different uses will be exploited to create new materials synergy in a holistic approach. The goal pursued in terms of applications looks for giving solutions to H2020 societal challenges. Therefore, the selected materials aim at contributing to have ‘Clean water’, ‘Green Energy’ and ‘Health’. Thus, the objective materials of the present proposal will be a photocatalytic membrane for water treatment, an ion exchange membrane for reverse electrodialysis and an electro-active biocompatible membrane for neural models to study mechanisms and treatments of neural pathologies. In all cases, outperforming the functionality in comparison to the membranes currently reported in the literature will be sought. The new materials will also be characterized functionally in lab-scale membrane devices designed and optimized by the partners. Furthermore, the technical evaluation of the potential industrial scale-up of the new and functionally improved membrane materials and membrane processes will be addressed. The consortium will also work on the development of a network with potential stakeholders from the industry and the national/regional governments that could act as project advisors and users of the technology developed in the present project. |
| SPAIN Nazely DIBAN, University of Cantabria, Assistant Professor |
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| POLAND Aleksandra PACULA, Polish Academy of Sciences, Research Scientist |
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| TURKEY Enver GULER, Atılım University, Assistant Professor |
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※Project Leaders are underlined