NFFA-DI is the NFFA Europe Pilot upgrade proposal for realizing a Full-Spectrum Research Infrastructure for nanoscience and nanotechnology, capable of enhancing the Italian research competitiveness on the fundamental interactions of multi-atomic matter to explore the origins of materials behaviour at all relevant dimensional and temporal scales, to describe, understand and design material solutions for engineering innovation.
The rationale of NFFA-DI is to integrate nanofoundry laboratories, i.e. facilities for atomically controlled growth, structural characterization of nano-objects and nano-structured materials, including upscaling the most promising systems to the level of intermediate TRL developments, and the experimental facilities for the fine analysis of matter using synchrotron and FEL radiation (at Elettra and FERMI), therefore raising the quality, reproducibility and overall competitiveness of Italian research in nanoscience, and full integration within the European RI ESFRI landscape.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

NFFA-DI creates a unique environment for basic nanoscience and advanced technologies, bridging the gap between fundamental research on quantum matter and functional microsystems for the digital transformation. The upgrade will enable frontier research projects by users, enhancing the scientific competences and productivity of all nodes, along with the continuous upgrade of the RI. Mission oriented research at EC level and NRRP Centres and Partnerships will also exploit access to NFFA-DI. The combined digital access to a wide portfolio of services through a Single-Entry Point and Catalogue of state-of-the-art experimental and computational resources and FAIR-data services covers the whole value chain from material discovery to industrial technology transfer. It will become a reference RI in Europe, with huge potential for the acceleration of the digital transformation of research and society. Co-location with synergic NPRR initiatives will enhance the overall impact.

DURATION
from 01.01.2023 to 30.06.2025

PROJECT WPs

WP1 – Management – Cristina Africh (CNR-IOM)
WP2 – New scheme for a Digital Operational Workflow – Roberto Gotter (CNR-IOM)
WP3 – Digital Structure of NFFA-DI and Overarching Fair Ecosystem for  Data System (OFED) – Stefano Cozzini (Area Science Park)
WP4 – Upgrade of NFFA instrumentation – Giorgio Rossi (Università degli Studi di Milano)
WP5 – Commissioning of access to the upgrades and community building – Massimo Cuscunà (CNR-NANOTEC)
WP6 – Research Support Services: Access provision through advanced methods and technology; Intellectual Property – Mariarita de Luca(Area Science Park)
WP7 – Strengthening competence and leadership in research services through in-house research – Giancarlo Panaccione (CNR-IOM)
WP8 – Training of a new generation of RI operators and of researchers for exploiting NFFA-DI and European analytical RIs – Riccardo Bertacco (POLIFAB)

PARTNERS

CNR (Coordinator CNR-IOM), Area Science Park, Politecnico di Milano, Università di Milano

FUNDING BODY

The project received financial support under Mission 4, “Education and Research” – Component 2, “From Research to Enterprise” – Investment Line 3.1, “Fund for the Implementation of an Integrated System of Research and Innovation Infrastructure,” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, amounting to €33,999,999.96.

For more information: coordinamento@nffa-di.it

Stefano Cozzini (Principal Investigator)
Eva Vessel (Chief financial officer)
Mariarita de Luca (Project Manager)