NOAH · Network of Functional Molecular Containers with Controlled Switchable Abilities

Network of Functional Molecular Containers with Controlled Switchable Abilities

NOAH trained early-stage researchers (ESRs) in a multidisciplinary chemical research program within the area of functional molecular containers, encapsulation processes and their applications to end up with a PhD degree. Breakthrough discoveries in the field of molecular containers are hampered by three main issues: 1) compartmentalisation of research based on different types of containers for synthetic convenience and lack of connection between them; 2) limited knowledge of the basic rules that govern molecular encapsulation; and 3) complexity of the thermodynamic and kinetic characterisation of the inclusion/release processes. To address this problem, NOAH project brought a multimodal network composed of recognised research groups from academia and industry with complementary areas of expertise. The network generated 10 skilled fellows equipped with these diverse skills set to confront challenging and actual encapsulation problems important for academic and industrial sectors. NOAH training network provided them with great variety of scientific attributes, ranging from the experimental organic and inorganic synthesis to computational chemistry. Photo- and electrochemistry, MS/gas-phase chemistry, X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy techniques were also included in the scientific formation and development of the recruited ESRs. The trainees also received education in complementary and transferable skills through attendance to local and network-wide dedicated training seminars (e.g. dissemination, communication, organisation,…). The training program included the exposure of the ESRs to chemical research carried out in the non-academic sector by means of full recruitment or short stage secondments in one of the three chemical European companies or the technological centre acting as industrial partners and operating at very different levels: one large company, Covestro, one SME, Biolitec and one technological centre Leitat. ESRs also gained insight in the transfer process of knowledge from academia to industry and other complementary soft-skills. NOAH research was devoted to the development, characterisation (structural, thermodynamic and kinetic) and transfer to applications of different types of molecular containers. The complementary expertise of NOAH partners on containers’ design, synthesis and characterisation, and transfer to applications together with the identification of a wide library of relevant guests using computational tools ensured the achievement of the full potential of the developed molecular capsules and their exploitation as functional materials for chemical, biological and environmental applications.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union