Area 5: Synthesis, processing and scaling of advanced functional materials (SPE)

• Combined systems with applications in ONL and third generation solar cells (dye-sensitized (DSSC) and organic solar cells) and their implementation in photovoltaic devices.
• Application of theoretical calculations (at different levels) for the design of molecules and prediction of properties.
• Self-organizing functional molecules. Control of molecular order through liquid crystal phases. Supramolecular liquid crystals. Non-covalent interactions as support for molecular order.
• Development of liquid crystal polymers and photoactive block copolymers with control of their thermal and mechanical properties.
• Development of dendrimers as a structural tool to obtain supramolecular or supermolecular organizations capable of performing active functions in two fields of application: Advanced Materials and Biomedicine.

• Manufacture of molecular assemblies and nanomaterials using “bottom-up” techniques (Langmuir-Blodgett, Self-Assembly and Electrografting).
• Hybrid assemblies of DNA/lipid vesicles with response to physical and chemical stimuli.
• Interfacial formation of 2D metal-organic network nanodomains (MOFs)
• Construction of two-dimensional organic and metal organic networks by self-assembly.
• Sensing of volatile organic gases and vapors by means of nanoparticles of porous metal-organic materials (MOFs)
• Manufacture of nanostructured electrodes for (photo)-electrochemical processes.
• Construction of biosensors using nanopore technology.
• Holographic recording on light-sensitive block copolymers
• Photoorientation of liquid crystals. Applications in nanolithography
• Development of advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Processing of polymers into fibers using the electrospinning technique
• Chemical modification of surfaces in the finished product. Hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity.

DESCRIPTION: Design, processing and characterization of new materials for structural and functional applications (energy, environment, biomedical engineering, photonics and optics).

• Generation of microstructured ceramics through directional/surface solidification of eutectics to improve mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties, modification of optical (transparency, metamaterials, selective emitters), conductive, bioceramic or electrochemical properties.
• The techinique called laser oven has been patented in which ceramic and glass pieces can be treated with a laser inside an oven, reducing the thermal stresses generated in the process. It has been applied to the processing of ceramic materials and glasses by directional fusion.
• Modification of surfaces with laser treatments with pulsed lasers (fusion, ablation), obtaining surface micro and nanostructures to provide them with new functionalities such as hydrophobicity, self-cleaning surfaces, polishing, low friction, corrosion control, alloying, incorporation of dopants in a controlled atmosphere , machining, micro/nanopatterning or antibacterial properties, among others.
• Integration of laser technologies in industrial processes that are more respectful of the environment, with low energy consumption and high efficiency.
• Microstructuring, machining and marking of polymers and soft materials: laser interference patterning, carving of intraocular lenses.
• Synthesis, Processing and Scaling of Advanced Functional Materials. Synthesis of core@shell nanoparticles by scanning LA-PLA (pulsed laser ablation in liquid medium). Fabrication of stable colloidal solutions of multi-modal nanoparticles from laser ablation of targets of controlled composition.
• Development of techniques for surface cleaning of materials by laser ablation for application in the field of conservation of Cultural Heritage.

DESCRIPTION: The line of research is focused on the large-scale, continuous production of functional nanomaterials mainly using wet chemical reactions in continuous microfluidic reactors and also by pyrolysis of gaseous precursors. The objective of the line is to take a first step in a potential industrial transfer to the INMA developments as well as to solve the polydispersity and batch-to-batch discontinuity characteristic of traditional discontinuous syntheses.

• Development of an automated system for the synthesis of nanoparticles by laser-induced pyrolysis of chemical precursors in the gas phase and/or aerosols.
• Development of various platforms and auxiliary synthesis systems, from chemical precursors in liquid phase using microfluidic reactors.
• Design and manufacture of ad hoc microfluidic reactors and micromixers.
• There is also the Nanoparticle Synthesis Unit, which is one of the Units that make up the CIBER-BBN Platform for the Production of Biomaterials and Nanoparticles, which offers the synthesis service to the scientific community. A wide range of inorganic nanomaterials, polymeric materials and/or hybrid nanocomposites with controlled porosity, microstructure and magnetic, optical and/or surface properties are produced.