D43 - Colloid and Interface Chemistry for Nanotechnology

The main objective of the Action is to fabricate functional nanostructured materials and nanoscale devices for analytical, biomedical, and life science applications.

1. The core of the Action will focus on the development of the necessary synthetic and assembly procedures, particularly on modern self-assembly processes and synthetic approaches towards novel soft functional nanostructured and bio-inspired materials. Recent examples of such materials include polymeric capsules with tunable release characteristics, inorganic-organic polymer composites, functional surface coatings with catalytic properties, or lab-on-a-chip devices. Such developments require standardised analytical procedures and reference materials with well-defined structures on the nanoscale. Consequently, the main objective will be achieved by realising the following secondary objectives. Thereby, the items 1 and 2 will be in focus.

Secondary objectives

1. Develop standardised techniques and procedures to analyse and characterise nanostructured materials, equally introduce new analytical procedures and their automation, and transfer these instrumental tools to market.

2. Synthesise nanostructured reference materials of well-defined size and functionalities available through a database, and with the aim of their later commercialisation.

3. Develop rational routes to design responsive soft materials by self-assembly (e.g., microemulsions, polyelectrolyte capsules, block-copolymer micelles) with particular focus on potential new pharmaceutical and life science applications.

4. Fabricate soft nanostructured and bio-inspired materials, mainly based on nanoparticles and polymers, scrutinise their structure and properties, and investigate their potential of applications in material and life sciences and their commercialisation.

5. Design active and soft functional interfaces with nanoscale structures and/or specific coatings providing unique properties as sensors, catalysts, or with a particular biomedical response.

6. Propose routes towards soft nanoscale devices and machines, in particular, lab-on-a-chip devices, nanomotors or nanopipettes for applications in analytical and biomedical sciences.