Methods of pharmaceutical manufacturing are likely to change dramatically over the coming years. Driven by the knowledge and technology that is already available in other sectors, the processing of drugs into dosage units can be transformed into a “pharmacy-on-demand” process that allows individual dosing, based on criteria relevant for the effective use of the drug in an individual patient. One approach to achieve “pharmacy-on-demand” is the use of inkjet printing technology to deliver an exact dose of drugs on porous substrates. This proof-of-concept project is based on knowledge we acquired during my ERC AdG project on processes of printing on paper using inkjet printing. We will demonstrate the viability of "printing" highly accurate amounts of a solution containing levothyroxine, prescribed for hypothyroidism, onto a porous tablet. Modelling tools will be combined with cutting-edge characterization technologies to push the understanding of printed drug-containing inklike solutions in porous dosage unit matrices. This project will transfer pharmaceutical formulation and product design of individual dosage forms with the use of inkjet printing technique to the pharmaceutical community. They can work on clinical approval tests of the developed oral dosage forms and move these products toward clinical use. The patients will benefit directly from development of this production technique, because a much more effective and targeted medication can be provided. The next step will be the development of the inkjet printing technique for other personalized medicines such as pain killers for children, hormones, biomacromolecules, psychoactive and anticancer drugs. Individually-dosed medicines will allow for substantial decrease of drug waste and thus overall reduction of medical expenses.

Full quantum control of molecules has been an outstanding goal for decades. Cooling molecules provides a most promising answer to address this challenge. With recent progress in experimental quantum physics, such cooling is finally within reach. The aim of this project is to demonstrate the novel technique of molecular laser cooling for a gas of barium monofluoride molecules. Realizing a cold gas of these dipolar molecules will pave the way for a large number of novel and interdisciplinary applications ranging from few- and many-body physics to cold chemistry and tests of fundamental symmetries. The combination of this unique research project with the excellent environment for training, networking and research at the University of Stuttgart will ideally prepare the applicant, Dr. Tim Langen, for a future career as an independent research group leader.

This is a project for higher education student and staff mobility between Programme Countries and Partner Countries. Please consult the website of the organisation to obtain additional details.

Next generation solar cells based on metal halide perovskite (MHP) materials promise cheaper and more energy-efficient photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices compared to current silicon-based technologies. To further advance MHP technology, however, will require fundamental understanding of processes leading to energy losses, unstable operation conditions and premature aging. The macroscopic properties of optoelectronic MHP devices are the result of the complicated interplay between structure and function. Thus, the key to understanding MHP materials is to look at the many nano- and microscale structures, from sub-granular twin domains, over grain boundaries and interfaces to lateral variations in crystal orientations and facets. The aim of this project is to reveal fundamental nanoscale processes and explore the connections to the macroscopic properties of MHP materials. Therefore, we will develop NanoPLOT, an innovative microscopy platform combining the lateral resolution of state-of-the-art atomic force microscopy (AFM) with the high temporal and spectral resolution of ultrafast optical spectroscopy. NanoPLOT will not only allow spatially correlated mapping of, e.g., the local electron dynamics or photoemission spectra together with the nanoscale surface photovoltage, photocurrent or ion dynamics. The most exciting possibilities will come from entirely new imaging methods based on combinations of the available scanning probe and optical methods. Using the 2-10 nm wide AFM tip, we will address and excite individual nanostructures, enabling the characterization of optoelectronic properties at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The new experimental capabilities will enable addressing some key challenges of MHP research, such as phase segregation and degradation effects, interface heterogeneity and strain effects, enabling a deeper understanding of loss mechanisms and intrinsic instabilities that will enable more efficient and stable MHP solar cells.

Solution-processed semiconductor thin-films have recently emerged as promising candidates for optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), sensors and solar cells. One example is hybrid perovskite films that are processed inexpensively by crystallization from a solution and have the disruptive potential for efficient energy production and consumption. However, current crystallization methods from solution often result in uncontrolled film growth with ragged, degradation-prone grain boundaries. The lack of quality materials with large, controlled grains holds back solution-based semiconductors. The core hypothesis of LOCAL-HEAT is that controlling the fundamental crystallization kinetics of semiconductor films, when transitioning from the liquid precursor to the final solid-state, governs ultimate performance and long-term stability. This is key to creating materials that are: a) sustainable, b) stable and c) show highest performance. To achieve this challenging goal, I will control the crystallization kinetics of liquid multicomponent semiconductor inks by turning light into localized heat packages to cause confined supersaturation. This will induce seeds to crystallize the liquid precursor into high-quality films. Local heat will be realized by developing two methods: a) laser annealing by a tunable light pattern, projected on a liquid precursor film, and b) thermoplasmonic heating of plasmonic nanoparticles acting as antennas to turn incoming light into a localized heat nanobubble within a liquid ink. Achieving sustainable materials with highest quality crystallization will enable perovskite solar cells with performances >26% and stabilities of >30 years. Consequently, it will also revolutionize solution-processed semiconductors in general. LOCAL-HEAT will thus enable key technological applications in optoelectronics, e.g., solar cells, LEDs and scintillation detectors, and beyond.