PhD Scholarships in “Nanochemistry’’, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy (2017)

Established in Agreement between Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia & Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy

Online application available till June 13, 2017 at 12.00 noon (Italian time)
Research Themes

information and application on http://www.studenti.unige.it/postlaurea/dottorati/XXXIII/ENG/

1. Development of novel plasmonics nanomaterials
In the last few years, colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) of semiconductor materials have generated much interest for tunable plasmonics as their electrical conductivity and their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) can be controlled, in general, by means of doping. Their absorption features, arising from the LSPR, can be actively modulated across visible, near-infrared, and mid-IR wavelengths by varying the density of dopants during their synthesis, and, post-synthesis, by reversibly charging/discharging the materials through appropriate electrochemical methods. Some examples of plasmonic semiconductors NCs are metal calcogenides NCs, in particular Cu2-xE (E=S, Se, Te), and doped metal oxide NCs. Thanks to their tunable optical and electrical properties, these compounds show great potentialities for numerous applications, such as smart windows, displays, solar cells and, in medicine, for photothermal therapy. The aim of this project is the synthesis and the characterization of new semiconductor nanomaterials exhibiting a LSPR in the visbile-NIR spectral range. Of particular interest is, also, the synthesis of engineered nano heterostructures containing one or more plasmonic materials that can be used in highly performing smart windows or for efficient photothermal therapy. The resulting materials will be deeply characterized and tested in prototype devices.
Requirements: The ideal candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas: Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Physics.

For further details concerning the research theme, please contact: liberato.manna@iit.it, Luca.Detrizio@iit.it

2.Development of new materials for energy conversion
The research activity proposed here will be dedicated to the fabrication and comprehensive characterization of nanomaterials, with applications in energy conversion. Solar cells, allowing direct conversion of solar energy into electrical power, perfectly embrace the current increasing demand for new “green” energies to replace fossil fuels. Also thermoelectric (TE) devices, capable of converting heat directly into electricity, are emerging for the production of economically competitive renewable energy. Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have been shown as promising materials for low-cost and high efficiency solar cells and thermoelectric devices thanks to their unique properties as well as simple and safe solution phase syntheses and film fabrication. This research activity will be first focused in the synthesis of nanocrystals, including for example metal chalcogenide and halide perovskites. These materials will then be processed and tested for thermoelectric and photovoltaic applications.
Requirements: The ideal candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas: Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Physics.

For further details concerning the research theme, please contact: liberato.manna@iit.it, Luca.Detrizio@iit.it

3.Development of new materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications
Fluorescent nanocrystals are attractive materials for photonics and optoelectronics. Some of these materials are already on the market as fluorescent probes in bio-imaging, or as color-converting phosphors in computer, tablet, and TV displays. Such applications critically rely on an efficient and robust light emission, and the possibility to tune the emission color by controlling the size and composition of the nanocrystals. This research activity will be devoted to the development of new types of strongly fluorescent nanocrystals, for example halide perovskites. The photo-physical properties of these materials will be studied in detail, and they will then be processed and tested for applications in light emitting diodes, lasers, and in concentrators for solar cells.
Requirements: The ideal candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas: Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Physics.

For further details concerning the research theme, please contact: liberato.manna@iit.it, Luca.Detrizio@iit.it

4. Development and analysis of composite nanomaterials for sensors and actuators
In the last years a great effort has been devoted to the self-organization of colloidal nanocrystals in planar or three-dimensional structures (as for example aligned or interconnected arrays of nanodisks or nanorods) that possess promising opto-electronic properties. Since most of the technology is moving toward the miniaturization of their components, this approach is a cost – effective solution to build nano-objects. The possibility to tailor the geometry and composition of nano-objects suggests their use for sensing or actuating micro-devices that can be of use in robotics. For such applications it is relevant to have structures that can change their response (morphology related properties) when exposed to external inputs and this can be reached by encapsulating them in polymers that can also respond to such signals. This research activity will be first focused on the integration of self-assembled structures made of metal chalcogenides and perovskite nanocrystals in polymer films, especially planar structures in thin films. Then in a second stage they will be further processed and tested for applications in sensors (pressure, strain, temperature…) and actuators that could be improved in a last stage for testing their use in robots.
Requirements: The student should have a degree in materials science, engineering or physics, with a strong interest in experimental designs and physics of nanomaterials.

For further details concerning the research theme, please contact: liberato.manna@iit.it, milena.arciniegas@iit.it

5. Synthesis and in vitro characterization of drug delivery systems based on inorganic nanoparticles Tutor: Teresa Pellegrino

In current anticancer chemotherapy a critical drawback is related to the drugs being delivered not only to malignant cells. Existing treatments could be by far more efficient if the drugs are carried and released selectively to the tumour site under tumor related stimuli. The present PhD project will focus on the development of polymer that can respond to cellular stimuli such as the enzymatic action (i.e. enzymatic degradation, glucose oxidase, etc.) or to the presence of radical oxygen species (ROS). These polymer will then can act as nanocontainers for encapsulation, protection, and transport of chemotherapeutic agents with trigger release mechanism based on oxidative stress or enzymatic action. Furthermore, the inclusion within the polymer of inorganic nanoparticles will add additional advantages: i) the magnetic nanoparticles will facilitate the delivery of the nanocontainer under a magnetic field to a tumour site and they will act as a hyperthermia agents to heat locally; ii) the presence of inorganic nanoparticles that can promoted the ROS production will facilitate, under stimulation (heat or UV laser irradiation), the production of ROS and thus the opening of the drug containers.

The candidate should mainly work on the preparation of the right stimuli-responsive polymers with a control over composition, disassembly properties, biodegradability and physical properties, on the combination of such polymers with inorganic nanoparticles, on the drug encapsulation and on the triggered drug release study.
Requirements: Candidate with expertise in polymer chemistry are mainly seeking. Expertise also on in vitro characterization study is also welcome.

Further details:
http://www.universitypositions.eu