Marie Curie Actions: Inspiring Researchers - Imdea

Big ideas of thesmallest kindNanotechnology is the study of how matter is controlled on anatomic and molecular scale. Generally, it deals with structuresof 100 nanometres or smaller, and involves developing materialsor devices within that size range. Nanotechnology crosses thetraditional boundaries between scientifi c disciplines – it hasalready spearheaded extensions to conventional physics, ledto completely new approaches based upon molecular selfassemblyand sparked the development of new materials withdimensions on the nanoscale.‘Small’ is the new ‘big’Marie Curie Fellow Beatriz Hernandez Juárez moved from Spainto Germany for her project on semiconductor nanoparticles,known to some as ‘quantum dots’. Her focus was the use ofquantum dots to build up hybrid materials (materials containingtwo different components) that can be used in applicationsfrom biomedicine to photovoltaics or photonics.A quantum dot is a particle of matter so minute that adding orremoving an electron changes its properties in some useful way,giving it the potential to improve lives and boost the economy.Researchers have studied quantum dots in transistors, solarcells, LEDs and diode lasers, and they have also investigatedquantum dots as agents for medical imaging.A fantastic opportunity‘The support I received through my Marie Curie Fellowshipgave me the opportunity to join a recognised expert groupdevoted to nanoparticles,’ says Dr H. Juárez. She workedwith Professor Horst Weller’s group at the Institute of PhysicalChemistry at Hamburg University.‘The atmosphere was fantastic’, says Dr H. Juárez, ‘and I had achance to become part of a wider European research scheme.Dr Beatriz Hernandez Juárez169