SONS- Assembly and Manipulation of Functional Supramolecular Nanostructures at Surfaces

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Klaus Kern; Professor Dr. Mario Ruben
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2006 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25268407

FunSMARTsII is engaged in the structural realization of nanostructured functional molecular systems by hierarchical self-assembly processes. By concentrating on the functionality “Molecular Magnetism” in two different variations (long-range ordered 2D domains and 0D single molecule magnets), we expect to carry out “proof–of-principle” experiments how to integrate and to manipulate molecular magnetic domains within demonstration operable devices. To gain structural and functional control within the nanometer resolution, highly-advanced synthetic designs and cutting-edge scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) techniques will be combined within FunSmartsII. The use of molecular nanosystems will allow undercutting the superparamagnetic limit restricting the inferior domain size in inorganic nanoparticle approaches. By joining eight different research groups providing expertise in chemistry, physics and computer-based simulation we plan to set up an interdisciplinary European joint venture concentrating on the development of new concepts for directed self-assembly of functional molecular nano-architectures. A close collaboration between supramolecular chemistry known for their expertise in designing functional molecular systems and nanoscale physics with an excellent background in experimental techniques addressing few or single molecules and their properties will advance the basic understanding in this domain to be employed for the steering of molecular systems in the nanometer regime. State-of-the-art theoretical calculations will guide the experimental work and allow for its in-depth interpretation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy, Spain, Switzerland
• Participating Persons: Professor Fabio Biscarini; Professor Dr. Harald Brune; Nian Lin; Professor Dr. Jaume Veciana; Professor Dr. Alessandro de Vita