Title Promoter Affiliations Abstract "Integrated self-assembled SWITCHable systems and materials: towards responsive organic electronics - a multi-site innovative training action." "Johan Hofkens" "Molecular Imaging and Photonics" "iSwitch will offer top-level multi-disciplinary and supra-sectorial training to a pool of talented young researchers, involving contributions from different scientific and technological fields such as, supramolecular chemistry, materials, nanoscience, physics and engineering. iSwitch’s appointees will be trained through lecture courses, dedicated international schools and workshops, topical conferences, secondments to other consortium nodes and an ambitious and carefully planned research activities benefiting from the expertise of world-leading senior PIs and of younger but well-established PIs with outstanding track records in training and research. Additionally, iSwitch will generate new ground-breaking S&T knowledge needed to obtain efficient and fast switching in supramolecular electro- and opto-active materials as a response to external stimuli. This will be accomplished via controlled self-assembly of multicomponent architectures incorporating molecular switches, for fabricating responsive and multifunctional optoelectronic supramolecular devices. We are particularly interested in developing nano- and macro-scale switchable transistors and light-emitting devices as new solutions to (nanoscale) multifunctional organic-based logics.The specific training and research objectives are:Design and synthesis of a (macro)molecular toolbox including electroactive and responsive systems as well as semiconducting and metallic nanostructuresControlled interfaces of switches on (non)planar surfacesSelf-assembly of multicomponent systems into multifunctional architectures and materialsMultiscale structural, optical and electrical characterization of systems including Scanning Probe studies and time-resolved spectroscopyFabrication and characterization of switchable devices, i.e., transistors for “logics” and light-emitting devices for photonics, and related applications (optical illumination, optical filtering/landscaping, optical sensors, photovoltaics, etc.)" "Bottom-Up generation of atomicalLy precise syntheTIc 2D MATerials for high performance in energy and Electronic applications – A multi-site innovative training action" "Steven De Feyter" "Molecular Imaging and Photonics" "The “graphene rush” has triggered a great interest in the design and fabrication of synthetic 2D materials (S2DMs) excelling in their chemical and physical properties for future emerging technologies addressing numerous societal needs, such as faster and better performing electronics, as well as energy storage and conversion. To match the societal benefits of being at the forefront of new technological and scientific developments, the EC requires a highly skilled scientific and technical workforce that can efficiently finalize the shift to a true knowledge-based society. ULTIMATE will provide to 15 talented young researchers a well-structured training in the burgeoning field of S2DMs by developing their knowledge and understanding on: i) how to generate novel atomically precise 2D materials with defined structure and composition, and ii) how to best exploit their unique and tunable properties for electronics and energy applications. This training-through-research requires an intersectoral approach by specialized and skilled scientists from different (sub-)disciplines including molecular modeling (TUD), organic, macro-/supramolecular synthesis (TUD, HUB, UAM), production of S2DMs (GRA, TUD, UNISTRA, IIT), hierarchical self-assembly (UNISTRA, KUL, HUB, CNR), surface and interface studies (KUL, EMPA, IBM, KFUG, CNR, APE, IIT, UNISTRA), photochemistry and photophysics (UNIME, HUB, UNISTRA, IIT), device fabrication and characterization (IIT, TUD, UNISTRA), and other skills, as well as a strong commitment to the training of young talents with the ultimate goal of achieving scientific breakthroughs in this very topical area of science and technology. The ULTIMATE network will strengthen the EC training efforts by delivering 540 person-months of unprecedented cross-disciplinary and supra-sectoral training that is carefully structured in local, network-wide, and beyond-network training activities, as well as complementary and transferable skills." "From multi-functionalized oligomers to sequence controlled polymers: towards unprecedented control of synthetic macromolecules" "Filip Du Prez" "Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry" "The presented interdisciplinary research project tackles challenging issues in the emerging field of sequence-controlled (macro)molecules and related single chain nanotechnology. The first hurdle is the efficient synthesis of sequence-defined motifs with sufficient length. Therefore, a novel solidsupported chemical protocol is described as it allows for the protecting group-free preparation of various multifunctionalized oligomers, based on a single building block. Next to variations in the chain length and the identity of pendent side groups, control over the stereochemistry and highthroughput automation will be targeted. In the next stage, the newly synthesized oligomeric species will be structurally modified, as several topological upgrades (sequence-controlled polymers, cyclic analogues and single chain functional systems) are envisaged. Following these dedicated synthetic efforts, evaluation of unprecedented properties of the multifunctionalized sequence-defined oligomers and derivatives, in-depth modeling and characterization of the dynamic systems, should provide relevant insights regarding their conformational flexibility and supramolecular behavior. Finally, the linear sequence-controlled polymers will serve as scaffolds for immobilizing (bio) chemical substrates, resulting in polymeric materials with sharply defined structure/activity relationships." "Development of Hydrophobic Hydrogels to Induce Remyelination of Myelin Sheaths for Multiple Sclerosis treatment" "Richard Hoogenboom" "Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry" "Multiple sclerosis is a disease resulting from the damage of myelin sheath wrapping the axon in the nerve cell. This damage leads to slow down of the nerve impulses through the axon. Therefore, the use of hydrophobic hydrogels based on biocompatible monomers could provide a scaffold that induces myelin sheath regeneration as potential first step towards treatment of multiple sclerosis." "From multi-functionalized oligomers to sequence controlled polymers: towards unprecedented control of synthetic macromolecules" "Filip Du Prez" "Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry" "The presented interdisciplinary research project tackles challenging issues in the emerging field of sequence-controlled (macro)molecules and related single chain nanotechnology. The first hurdle is the efficient synthesis of sequence-defined motifs with sufficient length. Therefore, a novel solidsupported chemical protocol is described as it allows for the protecting group-free preparation of various multi-functionalized oligomers, based on a single building block. Next to variations in the chain length and the identity of pendent side groups, control over the stereochemistry and highthroughputautomation will be targeted.In the next stage, the newly synthesized oligomeric species will be structurally modified, as several topological upgrades (sequence-controlled polymers, cyclic analogues and single chain functional systems) are envisaged. Following these dedicated synthetic efforts, evaluation of unprecedentedproperties of the multi-functionalized sequence-defined oligomers and derivatives, in-depthmodeling and characterization of the dynamic systems, should provide relevant insights regarding their conformational flexibility and supramolecular behavior.Finally, the linear sequence-controlled polymers can serve as scaffolds for immobilizing (bio) chemical substrates, resulting in polymeric materials with sharply defined structure/activity relationships." "Amphiphilic proteins for the Efficient Recovery of microalgae biomass using metal-free flotation Technology" "Dries VANDAMME" "Materials Chemistry" "Microalgae are a promising renewable source of high-value products and additives, however, economic constraints hinder their widespread application in biorefineries. This project aims to create protein-based coagulants to enhance the efficiency of dissolved air flotation, while producing biomass free from metal ion contamination, an innovation that would unlock the potential of bioalgal cultivation for a broad range of applications. The research will focus on amphiphilic proteins, which exhibit high affinity to algal cell surfaces and can improve flotation without contaminating the biomass. The project will be divided into four work packages: designing and synthesising peptidebased amphiphiles, expressing and purifying amphiphilic proteins, validating protein-based flocculants, and determining the effect of dissolved algal organic matter on separation efficiency. The novelty of this project lies in developing a sustainable flocculation agent that does not contaminate the isolated biomass, paving the way for more sustainable biorefinery solutions." "P-STAC: Stabilizing Peptide nanoStructures with tetraThiofulvalenebased donors and ACceptors" "Ulrich Hennecke" "Chemistry, Department of Bio-engineering Sciences" "Low molecular weight peptides can associate into nanostructured assemblies such as peptide nanotubes or hydrogels. This self assembly process is based on weak intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts. To stabilise such assemblies this project will introduce tetrathiofulvalene(TTF)-based donor and acceptor moieties, which have been proven to be biocompatible. The highly electron-rich TTF ""donor"" moiety can form strong stacking interactions with electron-poor ""acceptor"" moieties. This stacking interaction will not only stabilise the desired peptide nanostructures, to achieve prolonged drug-release properties, but will also introduce new properties into these targeted assemblies, including redox active groups and electron transport."