The Laboratory for Thin Films – Nanosystems & Nanometrology (Nanotechnology Lab LTFN) of the Department of Physics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) is internationally recognized in the fields of Organic Electronics, Thin Film and Nanomaterial Technology (vacuum and printing techniques), Nanomedicine, Nanometrology, real-time and in-line precision metrology, as well as Automation and Digital Manufacturing.
LTFN’s research activities focus on:
- Flexible, Organic, and Printed Electronics. Development of devices such as organic photovoltaics, OLEDs, organic thin-film transistors, and (bio)sensors using printing (roll-to-roll, sheet-to-sheet) and vacuum (e.g., OVPD) techniques. This includes scaling up from the laboratory to pilot and automated industrial production. Applications span Energy, Displays, Lighting, the Automotive Industry, Nanobiomedicine, smart textiles and wearables, IoT, smart food packaging, and agrivoltaics/greenhouses.
- Thin films and nanomaterials. Development and study of nanomaterials, nanoparticles, 2D nanomaterials, and thin and ultrathin films on 2D and 3D, rigid and flexible substrates. Techniques such as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), printing, and gas-phase transfer are employed, with applications in nanoelectronics, photonics (biophotonics, plasmonics), and telecommunications.
- Bioelectronics and nanomedicine. Synthesis and biofunctionalization of nanoparticles, targeted drug delivery nanosystems, biosensors and diagnostics, materials and processes for 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine, as well as biocompatible coatings for medical implants.
- Surface processing. Processing of inorganic and organic materials using ion beams and plasma.
- Property characterization. Study of the optical, optoelectronic, electrical, structural, and nanomechanical properties of thin films, devices, and bulk materials using state-of-the-art techniques (Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, X-ray Diffraction & Reflectivity, Atomic Force Microscopy, Nanoindentation, etc.). Device stability and lifetime are also investigated.
- Metrology and modeling. Development of in-situ, real-time, and in-line optical metrology methods for monitoring atomic processes during film growth and surface modification, as well as for quality control on production lines. Multiscale modeling, computational methods, and Artificial Intelligence are utilized.
LTFN’s aim is to conduct research at both the fundamental level and the level of application and technology transfer to industry. At the fundamental level, the research focuses on understanding growth mechanisms at the atomic scale, correlating structure with optical, electronic, and mechanical properties, and computational modeling. Applications include advanced materials for microelectronics, flexible electronic devices, photovoltaics, gas-barrier coatings for flexible packaging and device encapsulation, sensors and biosensors, medical implant coatings, biocompatible materials, and food and water safety.
Infrastructure. LTFN operates laboratory facilities within the Department of Physics as well as an external unit, spanning a total area of over 2,500 m². It also houses 10 pilot production lines and multiple testing infrastructures (TestBeds). It operates as a Digital Innovation Hub, offering open access to academic institutions, research organizations, and businesses.
COPE-Nano Centre of Excellence. Building upon the LTFN ecosystem, the Centre of Excellence for Organic, Printed Electronics & Nanotechnologies (COPE-Nano) is currently being established under the Horizon Europe “Teaming” action, with support from the European Commission and the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI).
COPE-Nano is the first Horizon Europe Centre of Excellence in Greece and the first in Europe dedicated to Nanotechnologies and Organic Electronics. Its goal is to become an EU leader in basic, applied, and industrial research regarding Flexible Printed Organic Electronics, Bioelectronics, and Advanced Nanomaterials, for applications in Green Energy, Electronics, ICT, Medicine, and Agriculture.
COPE-Nano is being developed in close collaboration with the University of Bordeaux (LCPO & ELORPrintTec) and the University of Cambridge (Bioelectronics Laboratory). It has already secured over 30 letters of intent for collaboration from entities across Europe and the Middle East. It initially comprises three institutes:
- Flexible Organic & Printed Electronics & Energy
- Bioelectronics & Nanomedicine
- Advanced Nanomaterials, Nanoengineering & Nanosystems
LTFN and COPE-Nano form the core of the International Nanotechnology Hub Thessaloniki (NHT). This is an integrated innovation ecosystem linking research, industrial production, startups, education, and international collaborations.
References
Nanotechnology Lab LTFN: www.ltfn.gr
COPE-Nano Centre of Excellenceo: www.cope-nano.eu
COPE-Nano on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cope-nano
NANOTEXNOLOGY: www.nanotexnology.com
HOPE-A: www.hope-a.com
Nano|Net: www.nano-net.gr
IPGP Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies: nn.physics.auth.gr
Horizon Europe Flex2Energy Project: www.flex2energy.eu
Horizon Europe COPE-Nano Project: www.cope-nano.eu
Horizon Europe DigiPass Project: ms.hereon.de/digipass