ENSEMBLE · ENgineered SElf-organized Multi-component structures with novel controllaBLe Electromagnetic functionalities

Growth of eutectics is recognized as a paradigm for pattern-forming. Self-organised structures of size scales reaching down to submicron and nano scale regime emerge due to the interplay of chemical diffusion and capillarity. The fundamentally novel CONCEPT of the present proposal is to utilize - for the first time - the eutectic self-organisation mechanism for preparation of multi-component and multi-scale structures with controlled physicochemical and structural properties, with geometrical motifs capable of generating novel, predictable and controllable electromagnetic functionalities. This requires a deeper understanding of factors influencing eutectic self-organisation mechanism on a submicron/nanoscale. Accordingly, the main topic and activity of the present proposal is to generate new knowledge of the mechanism of eutectic self-organisation on this scale, by combining state-of-the-art experimental and modelling techniques. This new understanding of the underlying processes of eutectic self-organisation will then be used for the prediction and design of self-organised multi-component and multi-scale structures with controlled physicochemical and structural properties. This will be combined with the electromagnetic design of complex structures which can generate revolutionary electromagnetic functionalities. This will result in: a) the ability to predict the occurrence of patterns in eutectic systems, b) knowledge on how to design nanopatterned materials with controlled physicochemical and structural properties, c) methodologies to design and to fabricate self-organised multi-component and multi-scale structures with revolutionary electromagnetic functionalities, and d) the experimental realisation of these self-organised systems. The planned research is expected to open new horizons for utilizing self-organised structures in the development of the next generation of materials for photonic application that will exhibit revolutionary properties.