SMART-X — Study of carrier transport in MAterials by time-Resolved specTroscopy with ultrashort soft X-ray light

Results in brief

Study of carrier transport in MAterials by time-Resolved specTroscopy with ultrashort soft X-ray light

The challenge of generating efficient, clean, and secure renewable energy is a significant issue facing humanity in the 21st century, identified as a priority in the European Horizon 2020 initiative. The SMART-X doctoral network was established to train scientists in advanced X-ray ultrafast spectroscopy to explore charge carrier dynamics in new materials for energy applications, involving collaboration across seven European countries. This multidisciplinary approach enhances researchers' career prospects by providing them with diverse skills through partnerships with top academic institutions and high-tech companies. The SMART-X project focused on advancing ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy to analyze electron transport and dynamics, which are vital for developing more efficient solar energy solutions, while also exploring the topological properties of low-dimensional materials for potential applications in nanoelectronics. SMART-X has made notable progress in ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy by developing new tools and techniques that enhance the understanding of material science. The network has achieved significant advancements in various areas, including the fabrication of high-quality topological Dirac semimetals, the exploration of metal-halide perovskite semiconductors for improved optoelectronic properties, and the refinement of theoretical methods to study ultrafast processes in biological and chemical systems. Additionally, innovations such as the development of tabletop soft X-ray sources and high-speed detection technologies have facilitated high-precision experiments in ultrafast science, culminating in over 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

SMART-X is a multidisciplinary and intersectoral network aiming at the training of scientists who will bring X-ray ultrafast spectroscopy beyond the current state of the art as a standard technique for investigation in crucial sectors of material science, with a particular emphasis on the investigation of charge carrier dynamics in materials relevant for novel energy supply and storage.The network will recruit 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) to work towards the ambitious goal of the development of tabletop X-ray ultrafast spectroscopy in the condensed phase. Within SMART-X, a generation of creative, innovative, well-connected scientists will work towards unveiling the special physics of future and emerging material platforms, by implementing a research program at the physics/chemistry interface with partners from 7 European countries. This network will enhance the career perspectives of the ESRs by training them in a broad range of scientific, technical and transferable skills, through a unique combination of projects, secondments, and tailored courses provided by 8 world-leading academic institutions, two large scale facilities and 2 high-tech companies. Our goal is to establish long-lasting cooperation among the ESRs that will strengthen European competitiveness and innovation capacity.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE · RomaCoordinatorItaly
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
ELETTRA - SINCROTRONE TRIESTE SCPA · Basovizza TriesteItaly
FASTLITE · ANTIBESFrance
FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA · GenovaItaly
FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN EV · BerlinGermany
FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES · CastelldefelsSpain
GREATEYES GMBH · BERLINGermany
MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV · MUNCHENGermany
NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ""DEMOKRITOS"""" · Agia ParaskeviGreece
STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITET · StockholmSweden
UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT · UtrechtNetherlands

SMART-X · Study of carrier transport in MAterials by time-Resolved specTroscopy with ultrashort soft X-ray light

Results in brief

Study of carrier transport in MAterials by time-Resolved specTroscopy with ultrashort soft X-ray light

Project objective

Participants

Links