GRAPHENE

This proposed flagship aims to take graphene and related layered materials from a state of raw potential to a point where they can revolutionize multiple industries – from flexible, wearable and transparent electronics, to high performance computing and spintronics. We will do so by bringing together a large European consortium of world-leading academics and key industries, working closely to create a new disruptive technology.

The scope and level of ambition of this endeavor is such that it can only be realized through a large scale coordinated effort that integrates the entire value chain from materials to components and systems. The rewards of this flagship will impact the lives of Europeans with increased standard of living through new products, job opportunities, and economic growth. Maurizio Prato leads the WP2 theme: Nanosafety research is an essential requirement that cannot be dissociated from the development of new nanotechnologies. The graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs) and other 2D crystals and hybrids are envisioned as revolutionary products of nanotechnologies; however, their small size and their unique physico-chemical properties pose potential risks to the health of humans and the environment. Determining and resolving any safety and toxicity issues associated with these 2D structures will not only be beneficial to their integration into new materials for composites, nanoelectronics, etc. but also in case of their possible biomedical applications, which are currently being explored such as direct nano-interfacing devices with cells and tissues. The partners involved in this WP, were all chosen for their strong technological/scientific experience necessary to fulfil the objectives or the WP for the determination of the conditions and material properties aimed to a safe use of graphene, 2D crystals and hybrids. The partnership is attempting to cover multidisciplinary expertise that combines synthetic chemistry, physical chemistry, cell biology, toxicology, ecotoxicology, pharmacology, nanomedicine, neurophysiology and nanosafety. Nine complementary research groups, namely University of Trieste (UniTS, Maurizio Prato; Laura Ballerini and Mauro Tretiach), CNRS (CNRS ICT), UCL (UCL School of Pharmacy), UCLM (MSOC, Spain), KI (Karolinska Institutet), CNRS (CIRIMAT/ECOLAB), UCD (CBNI), EMPA, IIT (NBT, Fabio Benfenati), and the associate partner CEA (LIST), are strongly committed to reach the envisaged objectives.

 
Start Date 1 Apr 2016
 
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