Edoardo Albisetti and Margherita Maiuri win ERC Proof of Concept grants for their research projects

The Department of Physics has been awarded two new grants under the ERC Proof of Concept programme, which supports initiatives of excellence aimed at enhancing research results and transferring them to the market.

The winning projects include LANTERN by Edoardo Albisetti and META-SENSE by Margherita Maiuri, both lecturers in the Department of Physics.

LANTERN aims to develop an innovative nanofabrication methodology based on a highly focused laser beam, capable of modulating the functional properties of complex oxides (e.g. magnetic and optical) locally and in three dimensions with sub-micrometric precision.

The effectiveness of the method will be validated through the creation of a prototype device for filtering radio frequency signals and subsequently extended to other systems of technological interest, such as magnetic memories and photonic devices.

The project aims to lay the foundations for the industrial adoption of the technology and for future developments, including scalability towards technology transfer initiatives.

META-SENSE aims to develop a compact, regenerable and label-free nanosensor for the rapid detection of a class of PFAS, synthetic chemical compounds used in industry and consumer goods, characterised by high resistance to heat and water. It is precisely this resistance that makes them extremely persistent in the environment, so much so that they are often referred to as forever chemicals.

PFAS are now among the most widespread contaminants in water, soil and air. The nanosensor developed as part of META-SENSE will be able to detect them directly in water in a matter of minutes. Based on state-of-the-art optical metasurfaces, the device will enable rapid, in situ quantification, reducing dependence on centralised laboratory analysis.

The aim of the project is to make environmental diagnostics more accessible and accelerate decision-making processes related to screening and remediation.

Thanks to the projects recently funded by the European Research Council (ERC), the Politecnico di Milano confirms its position as the leading Italian university in the Horizon Europe programme, with 389 projects and a total of approximately £185.68 million in funding obtained.