NASCENT · Nanomaterials for application in Sensors, catalysis and emerging technologies

Final Activity Report Summary - NASCENT (Nanomaterials for Application in Sensors, Catalysis and Emerging Technologies)

The NASCENT project focussed its scientific work on the development of novel nanomaterials for different applications using the molecular imprinting approach. The Consortium comprised a total of 11 teams, including three industrial partners, The scientific project was based around 4 different objectives. The first three objectives were clearly accomplished with success, in particular the development of novel imprinted materials with both strong binding capacities and with high catalytic activity. The 4th objective, which related more to the development of device with market potential was partially obtained by the work led by one of the industrial teams, Polyintell, but also suffered to a certain extent by the early departure from the Consortium of Kodak. This was due to a strategic decision of Kodak Europe to relocate their research centres in the United States. In addition a number of results were obtained especially within objective 2, related to the development of imprinted polymers with different formats and with different activities. These included the preparation of imprinted nanofilaments, polymers obtained by electrospinning, imprinted nanogels with Aldolase type I activity and imprinted nanogels catalytically active for the Kemp elimination. As part of objective 3 focussing on the development of new devices, the very close collaboration between the industrial partner CiS and FSU allowed the development of a new optical sensor device which has shown very promising characteristics and that has been taken to the further stage of research and development. In terms of training the NASCENT teams not only delivered the total months agreed in the contract, but were also able to deliver an additional training of 12 months which greatly benefited some young researchers across Europe. This was achieved as a result of unspent budget in the mobility allowance category and with the authorisation of the EC. The most significant outcome of these additional months of training was the further advancement of objectives 2 and 3 but also the strengthening of the links between different consortium teams. The network organised a total of 5 training schools and 4 international meetings, which again was more than was agreed in the contract. The strategic management of the budget available for the training events allowed the teams to organise these additional events which saw the participation of all the fellows that had taken part to the NASCENT project. The training programme regarding transferable skills was very significant and highlighted by the fellows as one of the very distinctive features of this project. The outstanding qualities of the oral presentations by the fellows were often positively commented on by the external speakers attending the events. The output of papers, in particular the joint ones, was good although in some cases further publications have appeared following the end of the contract, as often the case in science. Some of the collaborations between the teams have been continued and additional funding and projects have been sought. QMUL, CNRS and Polyintell were able to secure financial support for a Marie Curie IAPP project. CNRS and BGU and UCM have submitted new proposals for a new ITN project. In addition the Network was able to offer over 50 bursaries over the period of 4 years for young researchers to support their participation to the Network events. These bursaries were awarded equally between the different countries, always on the base of an abstract submission. The management aspect of the project proved to be fairly trouble free and successful. The Network's major events from the management point of view was the requirement to slightly modify the budget to accommodate a change between CNRS and BGU and sub sequentially to cope with the departure of Kodak UK.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз