ESiM Project News

A collaboration between the ESiM partners TU Dresden and IPF Dresden has identified a new class of vertical oriented molecular rotors for applications in energy storage.

The work is published in ACS Nano: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.5c17283

For the development of single-molecule machines on surfaces able to store energy, a vertical molecular geometry based on a simple, common platform and on variable functional ligands is a promising design approach. This could allow to decouple the active unit from the supporting surface and to obtain a flexible modular system.

Scientists of TU Dresden, TU Hamburg-Harburg, and IPF Dresden have functionalized subphthalocyanine with a series of vertical axial ligands of varying conjugation lengths and studied their adsorption on the Au(111) surface by low-temperature STM supported by simulations. They found that increasing the conjugation length of the axial ligand induces a distinct transition in the adsorption geometry.

The article sets the bases for the development of a modular and flexible platform for vertical rotors on surface with applications in energy storage and offers a rational strategy to control the orientation and packing of the rotors through the design of the axial ligands.

From September 11 to 13, 2024, the ESiM consortium members gathered in Erlangen for a pivotal project meeting. The event offered a valuable opportunity for partners to review the progress made so far and to strategize for the upcoming phases. Key discussions during the meeting focused on the preparation for the upcoming of the 2nd periodic report, the identification of further promising participants for Industry Days and detailed reviews of the technical work packages, which are central to the project’s success.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to drive the project forward!

The science outreach event “Moderne Physik am Samstagmorgen” (Modern Physics on Saturday Morning) offers a unique platform for researchers to share cutting-edge scientific insights with a broader audience. This initiative aims to bridge the often-wide gap between advanced research topics and the general public, making complex ideas more accessible and engaging.

At the June 2024 lecture, Dr. Sabine Maier from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) captivated attendees with a presentation on the latest developments in molecular materials, a rapidly advancing area of physics with numerous real-world applications. A key focus was on the potential of molecular rotors on surfaces, a technology that could revolutionize fields such as nanotechnology and materials science. These molecular rotors, which can change properties in response to external stimuli, hold promise for future innovations in computing, sensing, and information storage.

The interaction with attendees provided a valuable opportunity for citizens to directly connect with researchers, fostering a better understanding of the scientific processes and technologies shaping the future. “Moderne Physik am Samstagmorgen” exemplifies how initiatives like ESiM’s outreach efforts can demystify advanced scientific topics, inspire curiosity, and encourage a more science-literate society.

ESiM is pleased to announce the addition of FAU and UPC to its consortium partners. The European Commission has confirmed the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona, Spain, and the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Germany as new participants in the ESiM project. Sabine Maier and Meike Stöhr from FAU, both esteemed experts in scanning probe microscopy and the investigation of low-dimensional molecular arrangements on surfaces, will assume the responsibilities previously held by Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG).

Meanwhile, UPC will enhance the molecular synthesis efforts of the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), thereby reinforcing the involvement of ESiM's experienced Principal Investigator, Kasper Moth-Poulsen, who has dual affiliations. The entire ESiM consortium eagerly anticipates fruitful collaboration with these prestigious institutions and extends a warm welcome to the new Principal Investigators!