News

Four New Research Networking Programmes

The following Research Networking Programmes have formally been approved for launching and are expected to begin their activities shortly:

• Harmonic and Complex Analysis and its Applications (HCAA)
• Mapping the detailed composition (epitope exposure) of surface-absorbed protein layers on biomaterials and nanoparticles (EpitopeMap)
• Multidisciplinary Frontiers of Magnetic Resonance (EMAR)
• Nanoscience and Engineering in Superconductivity (NES)

Harmonic and Complex Analysis and its Applications (HCAA)

The main idea of this project is to establish a fruitful cooperation between two scientific communities: analysts with a broad background in Complex and Harmonic Analysis, and Mathematical Physics, and specialists in Physics and Applied Sciences. Harmonic and Complex Analysis is a well-established area in mathematics. Over the past few years, this area has not only developed in many different directions, but has also evolved in an exciting way at several levels: the exploration of new models in mechanics and mathematical physics and applications has at the same time stimulated a variety of deep mathematical theories.

Mapping the detailed composition (epitope exposure) of surface-absorbed protein layers on biomaterials and nanoparticles (EpitopeMap)

Interactions between cells and biomaterials determine the level of success of medical implants. A new paradigm for thinking about cell-biomaterial interactions is emerging, where it is the effect that the biomaterial has on the proteins that adsorb to the material upon contact with physiological solution that is important, rather than the actual nature of the surface itself. The important parameter is thus the conformation and structure of the adsorbed protein layer, and in particular, the very outer protein layer, as this is what the cells actually see. In this program it is intended to bring together scientists working in the traditionally separate areas of biomaterials and nanoparticles, in order to develop and apply the most cutting-edge characterization techniques to understanding the nature of the surface-adsorbed protein layer on biomaterials and nanoparticles, and the effect of this on biocompatibility and nanoparticle toxicity.

Multidisciplinary Frontiers of Magnetic Resonance (EMAR)

Magnetic resonance techniques are among the most powerful and versatile spectroscopic tools with applications in many different fields. Their wide range of applications stimulates a great deal of cross-disciplinarity and the history of their continuous advances parallels that of their diverse fields of application. The agreement between different European Magnetic Resonance organizations to jointly run EUROMAR provides an opportunity to foster NMR and EPR in Europe to a leading international role and to transfer this strength along the complete scientific network that develop and uses these techniques.

Nanoscience and Engineering in Superconductivity (NES)

Confined condensate and flux in superconductors will be investigated at nanoscale by using various confinement patterns introduced artificially in the form of individual nanoplaquettes, their clusters and huge arrays.  This research will reveal the fundamental relations between quantized confined states and the physical properties of the superconducting quantum coherent systems, which will be also of importance for other scientific fields (superconducting elements for quantum computing, nanoelectronics, hydrodynamics, liquid crystals, plasmas).