Co-financing Marie Curie fellowship (R-5265)

The network solarNtype will contribute to the design, synthesis and testing in devices of novel solution-processable n-type "electron acceptor" conjugated polymers used as an alternative to small C60 derivatives for application in organic solar cells. General research goals: -The use of acceptor polymers as alternative to C60 and PCBM can anticipate some breakthroughs in the control of the long-term thin film morphology in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells and other types of organic devices based on polymer. - The use of polymer/polymer blends allows easier and cheaper processability on large scale - The existence of alternative materials to the acceptor PCBM will avoid any future market monopoly situation when organic bulk heterojunction solar cells will be commercialised. A strong multidisciplinary and intersectorial approach is a goal of the network with a high degree of integration in a broad range of competences: chemistry, analytical analysis, electrical and optical characterisation techniques, device fabrication and up-scaling technology. All in a context of continuous interaction and collaboration between different sectors of activity: universities, international research institutes and renowned industrial enterprise (SME). The SolarNtype network will take up the following challenging objectives: 1. A strong interdisciplinary approach and intersectorial approach, with a high degree of interaction, is essential for the network. The synergy of the know-how present in the various research groups, all with strong international reputation in their subfields, will ensure more rapid progress and breakthrough, and will create the appropriate circumstances for technical progress and training tasks in this fundamentally important research domain. 2. Providing training and research experience to pre-doctoral and post-doctoral young researchers by giving them the opportunity to spend time in another country as part of an international high-quality research project. The network will contribute to the transfer of knowledge through interaction and exchange of research staff and by organising network-wide events based on practical tutorials on various themes. The young researchers will also present their results to the rest of the network at regular meetings. This network concentrates on research about novel materials having n-type properties for organic solar cell, but the techniques in which the young researchers will be trained are applicable to all the semiconductors research fields (LED┌s, field effect transistors, biosensors, etc), which are fast emerging technologies. 3. Dissemination of the network acquired knowledge to European industries by means of publication in international journals and reviews, presentation of results at workshops, international congress and symposia

Keywords:Photovoltaic devices, SEMI-CONDUCTING POLYMERS

Disciplines:Chemical sciences, Biological sciences, Materials engineering, Basic sciences, Clinical sciences, Translational sciences