The overall objective of “Robust OTFT sensors” is to apply Dr. Nikolka’s expertise in material science and organic electronics to the field of organic sensors. The aim of the specific project is to explore the use of state-of the art conjugated polymers as a platform for flexible, low-cost lactic acid sensors and biosensors. Dr. Nikolka will therefore spend time in Prof. Zhenan Bao’s group (Stanford University), which is world leading in the areas of electronic-human interfaces, e-skin and biological sensing technologies. In Prof. Bao’s group, he will learn the experimental techniques required for work on (bio-) sensors including microfluidics, flow-cell setups or the functionalization of surfaces. To ensure a successful project outcome, Dr. Nikolka will build on his previous work and achievements, such as the discovery of high performance, disorder free polymers (Venkateshvaran*, Nikolka* et al., Nature, 2014) or the demonstration of high operational and environmental stability of high-mobility conjugated polymer through the use of molecular additives (Nikolka et al., Nature Materials, in 2nd stage review). The project is aimed at providing Dr. Nikolka with the techniques and tools to grow as an independent researcher which he will be able to demonstrate during the return phase by combining novel sensors designs with printing techniques pioneered at Cambridge University. “Robust OTFT sensors” will furthermore enable Dr. Nikolka to profit from training and educational programs and allow him to gain essential skills in project management, leadership and financial independency. Finally, it is the goal of the project to create a strong international collaboration between the outgoing and return host laboratories and connect expertise in sensing (Stanford) with the expertise in printed organic semiconductors (Cambridge). This work could lead towards various low-cost sensors for biomedical or lab-on-a-chip applications having a direct and profound impact on society.

We are at the beginning of a Data Age. Data is exploding. In 2016, 90% of the world’s data ever created was in the two previous years. AI and data analytics are further increasing the growth. The power demand is huge and growing. Within a few years some developed countries will not have sufficient power to sustain the growth. The negative effects on the planet are serious. Non-volatile memory (NVM) technology (including memory and neuromorphic computing elements in a single device) could strongly help to solve the problem, giving two orders of magnitude power reduction and, by removing the data transfer bottleneck, increased speed. Oxide memristors have significant advantages over competing NVM technologies, particularly in terms of speed, cost and temperature stability. However, after more than a decade of intense effort, serious challenges remain in terms of scaling, uniformity and robustness. The challenges all relate to a lack of precise control of the materials. Completely new thinking in thin film materials engineering is needed. EROS provides this new thinking by designing and engineering new forms of nanostructured oxide films to give highly Efficient, Robust Oxide Switching in an ultra-dense, ultra-low power, reliable oxide memristor system, with potential to change the technology landscape in AI, IoT, and security. ‘Ideal’ films will first be designed, fabricated, and understood. These will direct the way to simple industry-platform devices. Stochastic effects will be eliminated by creating films with separate vertical nanoscale ionic and electron channels with highly controlled vacancy and electronic concentrations, allowing scaling to a few nm, in a forming-free system. Also, multifunctional hybrid structures will be developed to give robustness. Furthermore, ferroelectricity will be induced, allowing simpler and smaller devices. Confidence in the proposed approach comes from proof-of-concept model systems shown by the PI.

The key aim of this project is to understand and utilise optically-produced forces on the atomic scale through pico-photonics, in order to devise future nano-mechanisms and nano-machines. Key goals are to move individual metal atoms by light, twist and compress and flip individual molecules on demand, and provide a step-change in the comprehension of how ions, solvent, molecules and electrons interact at interfaces, which is critical in catalysis, molecular electronics, electrochemistry, and nano-assembly.