PS-FP7 Functionalities of bismuth based nanostructures BisNano project (11 FR 31I7 3KBZ)

A french university is looking for SMEs as partner of an ongoing european project. The aim of the accepted NMP-FP7 project is to explore the properties and possible applications of bismuth and bismuth based compounds when they are synthesized at the nanometric scale in terms of nanoparticles, thin films, nanoceramics and nanocomposites.SME will have to explore the potential applications of the Bi nanostructures via demonstration activities (optical coatings, piezoelectrics,multiferoïc material)

Objectives of the project:
- obtain a good control over the size and composition of the Bi nanostructures
- evaluate the safety of the nano-based products towards environment
- explore the functionality of the nanomaterials for a variety of applications
- design functional devices based on the properties previously determined and explore their commercialization by the companies involved in the project.
The materials include Bi, Bi2O3 and Bi2S3 nanostructures, Bismuth metal oxide nanostructured ceramics and thin films, bismuth-based nanocomposites where Bi constitutes the nanoscale inclusion and the matrices might be ceramics, polymers or glasses, and finally Bi superconductors. The project includes the physical evaluation focused on the optical, electrical, magnetic, ferroelectric, etc. properties, according to the proposed applications. Extensive chemical and structural characterization will be required to correlate the synthesis parameters with the physical properties.

Technical Specifications / Specific technical requirements:
The consortium organise a competitive call to select one or two European SME to join the project in order to explore the potential applications of the Bi nanostructures via demonstration activities in the following domains: optical coatings, Pb free piezoelectrics, multiferoïc materials, thermoelectrical devices. Applications concerning mechanical and tribology properties (wear, friction&) can be included if no interference with the activity of the Mexican companies in the consortium occurs. The role of the companies is to test the viability of new technologies employing the Bi based nano-materials. Therefore the group looks for SME with the following features:
- SME manufacturer of products in the above-cited fields with R+D capacity for improvement of their products
- SME users for which Bi based nano-materials could offer a potential economic advantage
the BisNano project has been accepted under the FP7 NMP2010 cooperation topic 1.2-4 adding Value to mining at the nanotruscture level.
The participation in the project will be as provider of demonstration activities in the second half of the project (march 2012 sept. 2013). The SME should have the facilities to test the viability of prototypes using Bi nanostructures and identify the potential market for end users.
The overall fundings reserved for theses one or two SMEs is about 33 000 ¬ (20 000 ¬ max in case of two participants).
Consortium of partners already existing :
the project integrate 16 complementary academic research groups from Mexico, Colombia and Europe covering interdisciplinary fields : UPJV (FR), FCTUC (P), CISC (ES), TUHH (GE), INRIM (IT), POLITO (IT), UCD-NUID (IR), University of Liverpool (UK), IZFP (GE), UNAL (CO), UNAM (MX), CINVESTAV (MX), UAMI (MX), ININ (MX), CENAM (MX), CIO (MX) Furthermore two Mexican companies, SADOSA SA and FARMAQUIMIA SA are part of the consortium. Research groups working on the synthesis of the nanostructured materials will collaborate with others doing the physical-chemical materials characterization and the application development. Three partners are involved in toxicity evaluation. The activity of the Mexican companies is concentrated on large scale production and the exploitation of triblogical and mechanical properties.
call indentifier : BisNano - new industrial partners
language in wich the proposal should be submitted : english
start of the call : 06.12.2011 deadline 19.01.2012 17h brussels time.
The form to fil to answer this call will be available on the website http://www.bisnano.eu

Technologické inovační centrum s.r.o.

Lenka Kostelníková

+420 739 570 792