Power to Danish-Chinese nano-operation
The Danish National Research Foundation has awarded 15 million kroner to a new Danish-Chinese research centre for molecular nano-electronics.
Since 2006 Danish researchers from the Nano Science Center, Department of Chemistry at University of Copenhagen and Chinese researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing have been working together to develop electronic components of ‘plastic’, which in the long term can be used in the electronic, energy and communications industries. The work has now been supported by the Danish National Research Foundation, with research centres being established in both capitals.
Ideal framework
The research field of molecular electronics is experiencing rapid development, and the collaboration between Danish and Chinese top researchers has exciting perspectives.
“The new centre is an ideal framework to exchange researchers and equally importantly, research students, creating the best possible foundation for a fruitful research partnership,” says Professor Thomas Bjørnholm, leader of Nano-Science Center at University of Copenhagen. “Now we have the opportunity to work together with some of the world’s best scientists in the area of molecular nano-electronics. We have different research related expertise in Denmark and China, and by working together we will be able to complement each other.”
Molecules and computers of the future
Researchers at the new Center for Molecular Nano-electronics have high expectations for the development opportunities in their subject. They expect, for example, that in the future they will be able to develop chemically manufactured computer electronics in nano size, enabling them to create a whole new type of computer. In the long term, the researchers aim to be able to create molecules that can change heat to electric current, for example from wasted heat from cars or factories.
In addition to the research-related aspects there will be an emphasis placed on developing a common study program, with student and young researcher exchanges. The ambition is to ensure a constant exchange of Danish and Chinese students and researchers.
Read more about the Center for Molecular Nano-electronics on the website of the Department of Chemistry’s Nano-Science Center (NSC).
Contact
Center Leader, Professor Thomas Bjørnholm, Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, tb@nano.ku.dk, 35 32 18 35
Head of Administration Rikke Bøyesen, Nano-Science Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, rb@nano.ku.dk, 28 75 04 13