Seminar on Material R&T

 

 

The Seminars on MAterials Research & Technology Lecture Series is an initiative from the Materials Research and Technology department at LIST that will revolve around the department’s five core pillars:

  • Nanomaterials,
  • Nanotechnology, 
  • Scientific instrumentation and process technology,
  • Structural composites,
  • Functional polymers.

 

The SMAR&T Lecture Series particularly aims to introduce LIST’s Materials research fields and the Luxembourg research community at large to cutting-edge trends in materials technology while fostering novel research programmes.

The SMAR&T series will host world-renowned experts from academia and industry to share their insights, enhancing the knowledge base within LIST’s Materials department and Luxembourg as a whole.

With a total of 10 planned lectures, the SMAR&T series seeks to bridge the gap between different and diverse research domains while fostering the exchange of ideas.

Through informal and extended discussions, the series will also encourage interaction and engagement among researchers and SMAR&T speakers, potentially sparking research collaborations and novel initiatives. To enable this, at every SMAR&T Lecture interested researchers will be able to meet individually with the SMAR&T seminar speaker to exchange research ideas.

Join the 7th SMAR&T Lecture either virtually of physically on September 17th!

 

SPEAKER

 

Dr. Ahmed Diallo 

 

Biography

Dr. Ahmed Diallo is a Program Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), where he advances commercial fusion energy by guiding and overseeing transformative research projects.

Before joining ARPA-E, Diallo worked at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for 13 years. He served as Principal Research Physicist and the Head of the Advanced Diagnostics Development Division.  During his tenure at PPPL, Diallo developed advanced lasers, X-rays, and other diagnostic techniques in support of  microelectronics, quantum computing, high-energy-density plasmas, and magnetic fusion plasma research. He also served as the Deputy Director for the public-private Innovation Network for Fusion Energy partnership, where he planned, directed, and evaluated research activities in partnership with national labs, universities, and private industries. While at PPPL, Diallo was a recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy's Early Career Research Program Award, was honored as a DOE Oppenheimer Fellow, and was named a PPPL Distinguished Research Fellow.

Prior to his time at PPPL, Diallo served as a Research Fellow at the Australian National University, and as a Post-Doctoral Scientist at the Swiss Plasma Center at the Swiss Federal Technical Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Iowa. 

Presentation Title " Advancing First Wall Materials for Sustainable Fusion Power Systems"
Abstract

In fusion power systems, the first wall is critical for containing reactions, bearing loads, and shielding components from extreme conditions. However, exposure to high-energy neutrons (>1 MeV) and intense heat fluxes (up to 10 MW/m²) severely compromises its integrity. As fusion energy progresses toward commercialization, enhancing the durability and maintainability of first-wall materials is crucial for economic viability. While thermal effects on materials are well-understood, the synergistic impact of heat and high neutron flux introduces complex, nonlinear phenomena that challenge current predictive capabilities. Radiation damage, primarily through atomic displacements and transmutations, leads to material degradation. Measured in displacements per atom (dpa), first-wall materials in fusion plants may experience over 50 dpa during a 40-year lifespan, with embrittlement observed at merely 5 dpa. This presentation will explore:

1. The multifaceted challenges in developing radiation-resistant materials

2. Innovative approaches to discover materials capable of withstanding 50 dpa

3. Implications for the economic and environmental sustainability of fusion power.

The talk will conclude with an overview of the CHADWICK program developed at ARPAE as well as recent efforts standing up a private-public partnership called INFUSE.
   

Programme

September 21st, 2023 Dr. S. "Pete" Worden: Life in the Universe and Private Sector Space Science Initiatives

Dr. S. “Pete” Worden
Biography

Dr. S. “Pete” Worden, (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD) is Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘Breakthrough Initiatives’. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Arizona. After several US Air Force positions and a research professorship in astronomy at the University of Arizona, Dr. Worden was Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center until retiring on March 31, 2015. From 2017 to the present, Brigadier General Worden is an Advisor to the Luxembourg Space Agency and was appointed as a Knight-Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2018 for his space services.

Presentation Title

"Life in the Universe and Private Sector Space Science Initiatives"

Abstract

The Breakthrough Initiatives are a suite of scientific space exploration programs searching for signatures of life beyond Earth. These efforts include Breakthrough Listen, a search for technosignatures and advanced life, Breakthrough Watch, a ground and space-borne program to support direct imaging of nearby exoplanets, and Breakthrough Starshot, an interstellar programme to develop lightsail probes destined to Alpha Centauri.

The Alpha Centauri system has been center stage in scientific discoveries recently, and is a focus across the breadth of the Breakthrough Initiatives. As the closest star and planetary system to our Solar System at ~1.3 pc, our neighbor is intriguing. Multiple observations are ongoing, and plans are drawn up for an eventual visit. In the past few years, several planets have been confirmed orbiting Proxima Centauri – one appears to be earth sized and in the star’s “habitable zone.” Non-thermal radio emission has been confirmed from Proxima and appears modulated by the planet Proxima b. There is even, albeit likely to be terrestrial interference, narrow band signals from the star.


The presentation will cover recent astronomical efforts related to this exciting nearby star system as well as life-detection missions within our own solar system.

 

December 5th, 2023 Prof. Ken Hara: How plasmas can help materials (and vice versa): from semiconductors to aerospace applications

Prof. Ken Hara

Biography

Ken Hara is an Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University. He received a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Plasma Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan, and B.S. and M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Tokyo. Prior to joining Stanford University, he was a Visiting Research Physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory as a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellow and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University. His research interests include electric propulsion, low temperature plasmas, plasma physics (plasma-wall interactions, plasma-wave interactions), data-driven modeling, rarefied gas flows, and computational fluid and plasma dynamics. He has received awards from IEEE, Electric Rocket Propulsion Society, Plasma Sources Science and Technology, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and Office of Naval Research, Department of Energy.  

Presentation Title

How plasmas can help materials (and vice versa): from semiconductors to aerospace applications

Abstract

Ionized gases, also known as “plasmas”, play an important role in a wide range of natural phenomena and engineering applications, including spacecraft electric propulsion, hypersonic flows, fusion energy, and material processing. In this talk, I will discuss the opportunities and challenges in plasma science and engineering, focusing on how plasmas can help material processing and how materials help plasma transport and chemistry. For instance, the radicals and ions generated from a plasma discharge are used for etching and deposition in the semiconductor industry. In spacecraft electric propulsion, ions are accelerated and ejected in space to move a spacecraft. Simultaneously, generation (reaction, chemistry) and transport (acceleration, diffusion) mechanisms of the plasmas are influenced by the presence of materials that confine the plasmas. Better understanding of the nonlinear coupling between plasmas and materials can therefore help optimize existing engineering systems, design new capabilities, and enable new science and technology. I will present an overview of experimental and computational capabilities that are used to measure and predict the complex nonlinear processes of plasma flows and plasma-material interactions.

 

 

February 15th, 2024 Dr. Georgi Trenchev: Industrial decarbonization through state-of-the-art atmospheric plasma

Dr. Georgi Trenchev
Biography

Dr. Georgi Trenchev is CTO and co-founder of D-CRBN. He obtained his BSc and MSc at the Physics Faculty of University of Sofia, Bulgaria, followed by a PhD at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, under the supervision of Prof. Annemie Bogaerts. He has over 20 journal publications in the fields of plasma-based gas conversion, reactor engineering and plasma modeling. He frequently reviews submissions for Journal of CO2 utilization, Chemical Engineering (Elsevier) and Plasma Sources Science and Technology (IOP). In 2023, he was awarded the Innovation Prize by the European Physical Society, together with Annemie Bogaerts.

Presentation Title

"Industrial decarbonization through state-of-the-art atmospheric plasma"

Abstract

Gas conversion by the means of plasma is a hot topic not only in the academic setting anymore, but also in the chemical, oil and environmental industries. This is largely driven by the climate mitigation efforts, but also by the evident pathways of value creation by converting greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4 into useful chemical feedstocks. The answer to this demand is D-CRBN, an innovative spin-off from the research group PLASMANT at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. This seminar reviews the step-by-step process of bringing a lab-scale plasma reactor to a pilot-scale gas conversion system, starting from decade-long academic research.

 

March 14th, 2024 Dr. Josiane Lafleur: EMILIE - Nanomechanical infrared sensing for nanoparticle characterization

Dr. Josiane Lafleur
Biography

Bio: Josiane P. Lafleur holds a doctorate degree in chemistry from McGill University (Canada). She worked for several years in research and academia, first as a postdoctoral fellow at the Technical University of Denmark and then as an Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark). In 2018, she decided to take the plunge and co-founded the TU Wien spin-off Invisible-Light Labs GmbH. 

Presentation Title "EMILIE - Nanomechanical infrared sensing for nanoparticle characterization"
Abstract

Thanks to their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, nanomaterials and nanoparticles have found a wide range of applications such as in drug delivery, cosmetics, foods, and much more. However, they also pose a potential threat to human health and the environment, as they may enter our water, air, and food chain. Detecting and characterizing nanoparticles remains a major challenge of our modern society. It’s been the breakthrough of our research team at TU Wien to apply the nanomechanical point of view to the world of optics to create a radically new infrared (IR) detector especially suited to the analysis of nanomaterials. EMILIE, our nanomechanical IR detector has the potential to play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and responsible use of nanomaterials and nanoparticles, while also providing valuable insights into their fundamental properties and behaviour. Josiane will present the principles behind EMILIE's exceptional sensitivity as well as  share Invisible-Light Labs' experience in translating academic research to market..

 

May 23rd, 2024 Mr Luca Ravagnan: WISE, how an “experimental error” became a company

Dr. Luca Ravagnan

 

Biography

Luca Ravagnan co-founded and has been CEO of WISE since 2011. He has long-term experience in basic and applied research in the field of nanotechnology and developed and patented WISE’s proprietary Supersonic Technology. Since 2019, he has been a member of the Management Board of the Lombardy’s Life Sciences Cluster and in 2020 he became an Endeavor Entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in Physics and an Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi.

About WISE www.wiseneuro.com

WISE is a medical device company that develops innovative electrodes for Neuromonitoring, Neuromodulation and BCI. Its proprietary Supersonic Technology allows the creation of stretchable and pliable electrodes that can conform to neural tissues and improve clinical outcomes. WISE's products include the Heron® lead, a unidirectional, percutaneous, multicolumn lead for Spinal Cord Stimulation, and the WISE Cortical Strip (WCS®), a single-use cortical electrode for IntraOperative Neurophysiological Monitoring.

Presentation Title "WISE, how an “experimental error” became a company"
Abstract

This presentation traces the journey of WISE, from an unexpected discovery in a university laboratory to a pioneering medical device company. In 2006, researchers at the State University of Milan stumbled upon unusual conductive properties while experimenting with nano-deposition on polymers. This serendipitous discovery led to the development of a unique technology for creating stretchable electrodes that can interface with neural tissues.

The founders, initially academic researchers, recognized the potential applications of their technology in the biomedical field, specifically for neurology. They patented their invention and quickly established a startup to explore market opportunities. The company, leveraging its proprietary Supersonic Technology, developed the WISE Cortical Strip and the Heron lead, innovative products aimed at neuromonitoring and neuromodulation.

The presentation will outline the steps from the initial patenting process and identification of an unsolved market need to multiple rounds of seed and venture capital (VC) investment, totaling €26 million. It will cover the development, validation, and approval of WISE’s products in Europe, the United States, and Australia, culminating in their market introduction. The ongoing development of a second product aims to position the company for a strategic exit.

WISE exemplifies a successful case of technology transfer in the deep tech realm, highlighting the blend of scientific discovery and entrepreneurial spirit that propels innovative solutions from lab to market.

June 20th, 2024 Prof. Cristina Lenardi: Experiences of basic research resulted in successful technology transfer

Prof. Cristina Lenardi

 

Biography Cristina Lenardi is full professor of Applied Physics at the Physics Department of the University of Milan and since 2019 Director of the School of Specialization in Medical Physics and since 2020 President of the National College of Directors of Specialization Schools of Medical Physics. She is the head of the Medical Physics laboratories at the Physics Department and of the Advanced Biomaterials platform at the UNIMI Foundation. Her main research areas concern the development of microfabricated devices for bio-hybrid actuators, the synthesis of organic microparticles for cell delivery and of gels for three-dimensional dosimetry, the study of cellular processes of mechanotransduction on nanostructured surfaces and electronic characterization of nanomaterials. She coordinated the research activity funded by public and private entities. She has dealt with technology transfer through patents, commissioned industrial research and favoring the creation of spin-offs, such as Società Tensive srl (http://www.tensivemed.com), which was awarded the "Premio Gaetano Marzotto" in the main section "Premio per l'Impresa". She received an award from the "Fondazione Galileo" and, as a member of the Laboratorio Getti Molecolari (LGM), in 2006 the "L. Premio Tartufari" prize awarded by the Accademia dei Lincei.
She holds the Mechanics course for the bachelor's degree in Physics, the Imaging Techniques for Biomedical Applications course for the master's degree in Physics and the Bioimaging course for the master's degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. She teaches electron spectroscopy at the Doctoral School in Physics, Astrophysics and Applied Physics of the University of Milan and Physics of Matter for the School of Specialization in Medical Physics.
She has published more than 180 PRJ papers and three patents.
Presentation Title "Experiences of basic research resulted in successful technology transfer"
Abstract

Prof. Cristina Lenardi will talk about her "scientific adventure" in the various research areas in which she had the opportunity to operate. In particular, she will start from the initial experience concerning the design and setting up of a beamline for a new large facility, the Synchrotron ELETTRA, then moving on to the synthesis and characterization of the electronic properties of nanostructured materials produced with innovative sources of nanoparticles, to the study of the interaction between cells and nanostructures which led to unexpected cellular response being highlighted, up to few of the most modern applications of Physics to Medicine.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how her research experiences in the fields of nanotechnology and biomaterials have led to the development of products placed in the market of biomedical devices. In particular, she will show how some factors have emerged from basic research activity that have given rise to a glimpse of a possible technological transfer. In this context she will also point out few essential aspects in order to start and proceed in the transition from an idea to a suitable prototype in view of a feasible product development, such as protection of the intellectual property, fund raising, identification of an appropriate market niche and above all the decision of somebody, perhaps among the researchers who originated the idea, to full-time dedicate themselves to the new enterprise.

September 17th, 2024 Dr. Ahmed Diallo: " Advancing First Wall Materials for Sustainable Fusion Power Systems"

Dr. Ahmed Diallo 

 

Biography

Dr. Ahmed Diallo is a Program Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), where he advances commercial fusion energy by guiding and overseeing transformative research projects.

Before joining ARPA-E, Diallo worked at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for 13 years. He served as Principal Research Physicist and the Head of the Advanced Diagnostics Development Division.  During his tenure at PPPL, Diallo developed advanced lasers, X-rays, and other diagnostic techniques in support of  microelectronics, quantum computing, high-energy-density plasmas, and magnetic fusion plasma research. He also served as the Deputy Director for the public-private Innovation Network for Fusion Energy partnership, where he planned, directed, and evaluated research activities in partnership with national labs, universities, and private industries. While at PPPL, Diallo was a recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy's Early Career Research Program Award, was honored as a DOE Oppenheimer Fellow, and was named a PPPL Distinguished Research Fellow.

Prior to his time at PPPL, Diallo served as a Research Fellow at the Australian National University, and as a Post-Doctoral Scientist at the Swiss Plasma Center at the Swiss Federal Technical Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Iowa. 

Presentation Title " Advancing First Wall Materials for Sustainable Fusion Power Systems"
Abstract

In fusion power systems, the first wall is critical for containing reactions, bearing loads, and shielding components from extreme conditions. However, exposure to high-energy neutrons (>1 MeV) and intense heat fluxes (up to 10 MW/m²) severely compromises its integrity. As fusion energy progresses toward commercialization, enhancing the durability and maintainability of first-wall materials is crucial for economic viability. While thermal effects on materials are well-understood, the synergistic impact of heat and high neutron flux introduces complex, nonlinear phenomena that challenge current predictive capabilities. Radiation damage, primarily through atomic displacements and transmutations, leads to material degradation. Measured in displacements per atom (dpa), first-wall materials in fusion plants may experience over 50 dpa during a 40-year lifespan, with embrittlement observed at merely 5 dpa. This presentation will explore:

1. The multifaceted challenges in developing radiation-resistant materials

2. Innovative approaches to discover materials capable of withstanding 50 dpa

3. Implications for the economic and environmental sustainability of fusion power.

The talk will conclude with an overview of the CHADWICK program developed at ARPAE as well as recent efforts standing up a private-public partnership called INFUSE.

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Seminar on Material R&T

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Practical Infos

Date: 17 September 2024

Schedule: 03:00 p.m to 04:00 p.m

Location: LIST, 41, rue du Brill - L-4422 Belvaux

Attendance either virtual of physical.

By registering the participants will have the possibility to meet with the speaker. Appointments could be made and will depend on the number of places available. You will be contacted before the event in order to organise the meeting.

Contact

 Alexandros GERAKIS
Alexandros GERAKIS
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