Project Summary
EMI shielding materials will become a fast-growing market in the close future, growing at a Compound
Annual Growth Rate of 3.6% over the period 2020-2027.
GrInShield offers an exciting opportunity to bridge the two domains of RF (radio-frequency; microwave) and materials science at the nanoscale which barely interacted so far. It will establish a new scientific field of RF-nanoscale in the first place. The new concept of combining nanoscale materials with a large-scale, robust analysis, thereby linking nanoscopic findings to macroscale properties is a universal concept adaptable to different instruments in various industries.
GrInShield is organized into 7 working packages (WPs). Project management (WP1) will plan activities and coordinate all other WPs. The GrInShield will become the base for the HE project application.
Project structure
In WP2, both experimental and theoretical knowledge will be exchanged between researchers from a Widening country and partners in the fields of nanomaterials production and characterization, nanoelectronics, analysis of mechanical properties, polymer synthesis and processing, and imaging in multimodal microscopic set-ups. These goals will be achieved by: (a) invited lectures (2); (b) courses attendances (6); (c) summer schools (3).
WP3 will start with GO synthesis using two different approaches: classical oxidation of graphite with strong oxidative agents (so-called Hummers’ method) and electrochemical exfoliation of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) in electrochemical cells. In addition, AgNWs will be produced from silver salts and mixed with water dispersion of both types of GO. In this way, GO-AgNWs composites will be obtained as colloidal dispersions, followed by chemical reduction. The enhancement of conductivity is expected. These methods are sustainable, cost-effective, and ecologically friendly and support Regulation (EU) No 2020/852 (i.e.the so-called ‘EU Taxonomy Regulation’) by preventing environmental pollution with residual reagents and solvents. The gamma irradiation unit is a part of the Coordination Institute (VINCA) and it will be used to modulate composites. This new approach will go beyond the current “state-of-the-art” and facilitate the improvement of electrical conductivity and SE.
GO synthesis, cleaning by centrifugation, and resulting water dispersions.
GrInShield will help a newly founded sector in accomplishing its administrative tasks by exchanging the practice with partners in the EU, as a task of WP4. The administrative skills of management staff in VINCA will be improved through knowledge transfer from the CNRS office.
WP5 will be dedicated to knowledge transfer in 4 workshops and 4 on-site trainings. At Uni Oldenburg, a workshop will be devoted to the use of multimodal imaging technology for nanomaterials analysis.
Silver nanowires and free-standing composite
At a second workshop at FTPO, lectures about polymer syntheses, properties, processability, and 3D printing are going to be in focus. The opportunities for the investigation of material at a nanoscale level will be discussed at the third workshop at CNRS. In a workshop at VINCA, the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials, and ways to modify their structure using green approaches will be presented. Extending the experimental knowledge in short-term on-site training will be highly valuable to young researchers from all partner countries.
Graphene Exfoliation.
After achieving the production of efficient EMI shielding material, WP6 results will be communicated and presented to interested stakeholders. Small and medium-sized companies will be targeted. ERs will meet company members (4 short-term visits) and participate in the specialized trade fairs (2).
In WP7, publication in peer-reviewed international journals is expected and conferences attendance.
The GrInShield project will increase awareness of EW’s potential dangers. Creating a website and profiles on social networks (ResearchGate, LinkedIn, etc.) civil society will be introduced to the project, its progress, and the importance of EWs protection. Policymakers, authorities, and industrial sectors (telecommunication, transportation, medical sector, etc.), will be informed about potential health risks and shielding materials.