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nanotimes EU-Projects EU-project CHARMING

The EU-project CHARMING aims at developing compact and fully fibred visible lasers for fluore- scence spectroscopy and high resolution confocal micros-copy systems. One partner, PicoQuant, develops ps laser sources (based on gain switching), laser combining units and integration of these com- ponents into biomedical imaging / spectroscopy systems. PicoQuant contributes as well to the disse- mination of the scientific results.

PicoQuant was founded in 1996 at the research campus in Berlin Adlershof. It is dedicated to de- velopment and production of advanced scientific instrumentation.

http://www.charming-project.eu

11-11/12 :: November/December 2011

Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, is focusing on novel galli- um nitride-based transistors. The joint project has a total budget of EUR5.6 million and is funded by the European Community with nearly EUR3.6 million. Eight European project partners provide a portfolio of complementary competencies covering the com- plete value added chain, from research and develop- ment (Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut fuer Hoechstfrequenztechnik (FBH); Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Electrical Engineering; Vienna University of Technology; University of Padua) to industrial application (AIXTRON SE, Artesyn Austria GmbH & Co. KG, EpiGaN, Infineon Technologies Austria AG).

After project completion, GaN power transistors and 200mm GaN-on-silicon substrates will be commer- cially available and marketed world-wide.

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROJ_ICT&AC TION=D&CAT=PROJ&RCN=100325

HiPoSwitch – GaN-based Normally-off High Power Switching Transistor for Efficient Power Converters

Under the auspices of the German Ferdinand- Braun-Institut, the EU project HiPoSwitch has been launched. The project aims at more compact and more powerful energy converters which are used, for example, in information and communication tech- nology and solar inverter technology. The activities cover the whole value added chain, from GaN power device development to industrial application.

Over the next three years, the EU project HiP- oSwitch, which is coordinated by the Berlin-based

Interfacial Engineering

Composite materials, those composed of two or more materials, build on the strengths of the indivi- dual components. The “Interfacial engineering in copper carbon nanofibre composites (Cu-C MMCs) for high thermally loaded applications” (Interface) project was designed to fabricate a carbon nano- fibre-reinforced copper composite with high thermal conductivity and minimal expansion in response to heat (low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)),