The network grant call was the first step in a government initiative to invest in clusters of excellence for groundbreaking technologies. The total grant amount is 48 million SEK.
“It has been incredibly exciting to see the breadth of Swedish technologies research! The response to this initiative has been very strong, with 191 applications for the network grant,” says Marika Edoff, Secretary General for Engineering Sciences at the Swedish Research Council.
Quantum sensing, adaptive soft material systems and advanced semiconductors
Among the 40 applicants, several research teams affiliated with NanoLund are found. Martin Leijnse and his team are funded for the project “Quantum sensing, metrology, and control” (Kvantavkänning, metrologi och kontroll), Emma Sparr’s team (including Karen Edler and Heiner Linke, among others) for the project “Adaptive soft material systems for technological innovations” (Adaptiva mjuka materialsystem för teknologiska innovationer), and Lars-Erik Wernersson’s team for “Advanced Semiconductors: Innovation, Testing, and Value Chains” (Avancerade Halvledare: Innovation, Testning och Värdekedjor). Fredrik Höök’s team is funded for “Quantitative single-molecule microscopy to advance biomedicine” (Kvantitativ enkelmolekylär mikroskopi för att främja biomedicin), and Anders Mikkelsen and Heiner Linke are part of Linköping-based Magnus Berggren’s project “Minimal synthetic brain” (Minimal syntetisk hjärna). Magnus Borgström is part of Linköping-based Feng Gao’s “Cluster of excellence for future solar cell technology” (Excellenskluster för framtidens solcellsteknik).
“The network we propose will plan for a cluster that will form the backbone of an ecosystem supporting research, innovation, and development in quantum sensors. We will bring together all the key players in Sweden working with quantum sensors – researchers, companies, infrastructures, and organizations – to participate in the planning work. The work will take the form of joint workshops and digital meetings in smaller groups, based on the participants’ specialist expertise and interests,” says Martin Leijnse.
“To enable transformative technologies based on adaptive soft matter by controlling responsive switch mechanisms at the molecular level through finely tuned intermolecular interactions and precise molecular engineering, the anticipated breakthroughs could benefit key areas such as drug development, food technology, molecular sensing, and sustainable chemistry and energy solutions,” says Emma Sparr.
The Swedish Research Council received applications from 17 universities and institutes and decided to give funding to eight applicants from Lund University.
