Network of Centers of Excellence "Interfacial effects, novel properties and technologies of nanostructured materials" Presentation by Witold Lojkowski, CoE High Pressure, network coordinator High Pressure Research Center Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw Outline: 1. Nanotechnology and nanomaterials 2. Example network 3. Our network 4. Results 5. Conclusions The network webpage:

The subject of nanotechnology research are materials or devices the characteristic length scales of whose structures are in a range of less than 100 nanometers. A nanostructure of this type can be produced, e.g., by reducing to a few nanometers the crystallite size of polycrystals or the thickness of multilayer structures. This reduction gives rise to novel properties, which are highly attractive in a number of technical applications. Example of network. NanoMat Supraregional (German) Network for Nanotechnology Materials Based at FZ Karlsruhe.

Activities since year 2000: Web page, Joint application for EC nad national projects 8 WORKSHOPS Important role in organising EMRS FALL MEETING in Warsaw 2003, 2003, 2004 Kick – off meetings to prepare projects and coordinate research Interaction with other networks and organisations (IoN, Nanoforum, Nanomat, Polish Networks)

SOME EXPERIENCES Formal stuff not so important. At the beginning plenty of people but after a while only a few remain = this is „fishing”. So after some time the network is very different than at the beginning. Very important is to build good personal relations with people with complementary competence Create a good atmosphere: short lectures, plenty of time for „networking” = the art of networking The results of networking cannot be foreseen in advance. a)– expected result, but deeper understanding of the phenomena was achieved b)- completely unexpected activity and results

Scientific „glue” Some Size effects important for luminescence of nano-powders and ceramics Particle size decreasing below interaction length Effects in luminescence to be expected for SiC and ZnO Contribution of surfaces to luimnescence Expected for YAG, ZrO or other oxides - insulators 2 Isolated particles

wavelenght Particles in a polymer matrix Sintered ceramics No light scatterimg at surfaces and interfaces for nano-sized grains wavelenght Application: Sinterd transparent ceramic will replace solid state Lasers made by growing single crystals The same with scintilators Polymers with nanoparticles can be used in white LEDs

Spiekanie nano-proszków YAG 2%Tb ZnO EDOC Nanokrystaliczne przeźroczyste ceramiki: może w przyszłości lasery i scyntylatory Współpraca: zespół Prof. Stręka, Wrocław

Two attempts for STREP First attempt: group compositon not optimal yet, but almost sucessful (Nano-priority 3) Second attempt: group composition much better, project much improved, but failure (ISC priority) Third attempt? Success in joining SSA „Nanoroad SME”, which will help us to compare our scientific vission with the needs of SMEs

The core members Poland: High Pressure Research Center (Lojkowski), Faculty of Materials Science WUT (Kurzydlowski, Ryszkowska), Institute of Low Temperatures and Structural Investigations (Strek) Germany: Institute of Nanotechnology Karlsruhe (Hahn), University of Ulm (Fecht), University of Applied Sciences Munster (Kynast) Italy: University of Modena (Leoneli) and Palermo (Caponnetti) Romania: Institute of Non Ferrous Metals (Piticesku) Latvia: Institute of Solid State Physics (Millers&Grigorieva) Perhaps two new members from France + interaction with industry (OSRAM and some SME from Poland and abroad)

Now the network is a core group with optimum compostion of 10 members + about 20 associated members Synthesis of nano-powders by four routes, best powders will be selected at milestone Characterisation Functionalising the surfaces Mixing with polymers Sintering Testing in the final aplications Industry: global player and 3 SME

Conclusions After 3 years a coherent group was formed of committed members with well defined objective The composition was optimised, however the „associated members” can jump in if needed The network resources are used to coordinate the research work and support preparing joint projects However what will be next proper call and how to „attack” is not yet clear. But we make progress anyway.