ROLEMAK

Reinforce Organic Electronics Research Potential in Kentriki Makedonia

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Organic Electronic Devices (OEDs) are considered the next scientific and technological revolution. The structure of an OED involves a stack of thin films from active (organic small-molecule and/or polymers semiconductors) and passive materials (inorganic or organic conductors for electrodes and barrier layers). Most of the supported research entities and industries in the field of OED development are activated mostly in central Europe and thus they became indicators for high innovation potential. However, in EU’s convergence regions, like Kentriki Makedonia (KM) in Greece, there are academic departments with limited human resources and infrastructure but successful contribution in OED that could create excellence and development in this region. For example, the labs of Physics Department (PD) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) in KM are strongly involved in FPs in the fields of thin film and material technology, flexible polymeric materials and high barrier layers for encapsulation of flexible OED. In order to establish a framework for strong collaboration between Greek and the European research groups and to become more competitive within EU, AUTh team is proposing the ROleMak Project. The objectives of ROleMak are: i) Boost the S&T potential and extend the knowledge & competences of AUTh to OEs by strategic partnership & collaborations with excellence in OEDs, ii) Recruit experienced scientists with established expertise in OEs to work with the AUTh team, iii) Upgrade the research infrastructure of AUTh with cutting edge equipment, in order for AUTh to become competitive in the field , iv) Organize Dissemination activities in OEs within Greece and Europe, and v) Exploit the acquired results by organizing promotional events (round tables and stakeholder meetings), integration & networking through EC projects. The above will boost the research potential of KM and the Physics Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and establish a leading excellence research center in Southeast Europe.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Organic electronic devices (OEDs) are considered by many to be at the forefront of the next electronics revolution. The Physics Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) is getting primed to be a regional leader.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

With less material use and simple processing methods compared to conventional inorganic components, OEDs are enabling organic versions of commonly inorganic semiconductor devices, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), thin-film transistors, sensors and memories to photovoltaic (PV) cells.

The AUTh Physics Department is a leader in supporting technologies such as thin film and material technology, flexible polymeric materials and high-barrier layers for encapsulation of flexible OEDs. Enhancement of research capacity through hiring and training of personnel, purchase of infrastructure and collaboration with EU research groups would help create a critical mass for OED research in the EU convergence area of central Macedonia. This was the impetus for the EU-funded project 'Reinforce organic electronics research potential in kentriki Makedonia' (ROLEMAK).

During the first 18 months, AUTh staff received important training in topics covering development and characterisation of organic and barrier materials, deposition processes, and device fabrication and testing. A visit by an experienced research scientist and collaboration on necessary infrastructure resulted in upgrades to existing processing and characterisation equipment, as well as the purchase of new devices for measurement, cleaning and fabrication.

Enhanced research capacity has already produced 6 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 11 presentations at conferences along with numerous other oral and poster presentations. http://www.rolemak.eu/ (ROLEMAK) has established an intellectual property rights (IPR) team to manage patenting and other legal issues and has held the first commercialisation workshop.

ROLEMAK is fostering research and innovation in OEDs at AUTh. Cutting-edge developments combined with entrepreneurial activities will increase the competitive position of AUTh and the Greek economy, an important input given the current economic situation.