Division Leader: Dario Pisignano

The Soft Matter Nanotechnology Group of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory of INFM-CNR focuses on micro- and nanotechnologies applied to soft matter, polymers, fluids and biomolecules through a highly interdisciplinary research program.

We aim at the elucidation of the basic structural, rheological, fluidic, and optoelectronic properties of soft and plastic materials, the implementation of novel methods for patterning molecules and enhancing their functionality, and the realization and development of devices relying on organic building blocks.

Controlling and manipulating organic systems at nanoscale is the key feature of the Converging Sciences Approach, merging organic materials science, advanced lithographies, nanophotonics and electronics, microfluidics, regenerative medicine, and biomimesis, for fundamental studies and innovative processes, devices, and applications.

Funding:
2007-2008: Apulia Exploratory Research Project “Technologies of fabrication and packaging of monolithic organic lasers” (Regional Decision 23.01.2006 n. 13).

2006-2010: Program “Soft lithographies on functional molecules”of the NNL Research Unit of the Multidisciplinary Research Network of the Italian Institute of Technology.

2006-2009: European Project: “Integrated microfluidic bench technologies for active control of unconventional fluid by functionalised material interface of complex geometry microchannels (INFLUS)”, NMP Priority, 6th Framework Programme (Contract #NMP3-CT-2006-031980).

2006-2009: European Project: “Biomineralization for lithography and microelectronics (BIO-LITHO)”, NMP Priority, 6th Framework Programme (Contract #NMP4-CT-2006-031541).

2006-2009: Apulia Regional Strategic Project: “Development of renal adult stem cell banking for promoting translational research of stem cells. Design and development of nanotech biodevice for hemodialysis”. (Regional Decision 22.03.2006 n. 55).

2006-2009: Apulia Regional Strategic Project: “Development of polymer nanocomposites materials for optical, electronic and sensor applications (PONAMAT)”. (Regional Decision 19.10.2006 n. 134).

2006-2007: Coordination of the “Joint Laboratory of Microfluidics” Italy-U.S.A., together with the Harvard University-Boston –Project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2005-2006: National coordination of the Microfluidic Platform of the National Laboratory of Nanotechnologies for Genomics and Postgenomics (NG-Lab)- Project of the Fund for Investments in Basic Research (FIRB) of the Ministry of Education, University and Research.

2005-2006: Project “Competition between random lasing and amplified spontaneous emission in nanoparticles/conjugated polymer hybrid systems” for access to the Ultraviolet Laser Facility of the Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece (ulf-forth001220, within the European Network LASERLAB-EUROPE, contract RII3-CT-2003-506350).

2005: Coordination of the “Joint Laboratory of Organic Nanotechnologies” Italy-U.S.A., together with the University of Drexel-Philadelphia –Project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2004-2005: “Development of conductive oxides for organic electroluminescent devices by electron-beam evaporation” –Project PONTE-INFM.