MNEMOSYN will develop and optimize techniques to grow large-scale two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials, co-integrated with strong spin-orbit coupling materials, graphene and 2D ferroelectrics in high-quality multilayer van der Waals heterostructures. The main objective is to demonstrate a large power reduction for magnetization actuation by spin-orbit-torques (SOT) and by multiferroic proximity effects. The consortium will benefit from state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy equipment provided by three different partners to accelerate the study of various selected materials combinations in a concerted fashion. Experimental developments will be supported and guided by simulations combining first-principles calculations with large-scale simulations of SOT figures of merit on properly designed Hamiltonians. The outcomes of the project will consist in establishing the best growth and integration conditions, the corresponding upper limit of SOTs efficiency, and the demonstration of 2D multiferroicity, targeting room-temperature operation and scalable fabrication of memory building blocks. The feasibility of further fab developments will be also ascertained to achieve higher technology readiness levels (TRL).

Loss of sensory and motor functions as a result of spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury or loss of a limb affects several million people worldwide, serving as a powerful motivation for the development of rehabilitation strategies that can partially restore or substitute the lost sensory - motor functions. A broad variety of electronic devices to bidirectionally interface the central and peripheral nervous system have been proposed and more are currently under development. However, given the stringent requirements for the materials and technologies to be used in these neural interfaces, progress in this field is rather slow. This project aims at exploring the potential of graphene-based technologies in neural interfaces for motor neuroprostheses. Taking advantage of intrinsic properties of graphene, such as biocompatibility, electronic performance, and easy integration within flexible substrates, we will develop graphene flexible devices to record and stimulate in the nervous system. Efficient stimulation will be based on novel highly porous reduced graphene thin films exhibiting extreme charge injection capacity. Recording with high signal-to-noise ratio will be provided by low noise CVD-grown single layer graphene field-effect transistors. Different designs will be developed to serve as extraneural and intraneural electrodes in peripheral nerve and in brain cortex. Biocompatibility and functionality will be extensively tested in chronic implants in animal models. The ability of these novel interfaces to record electrical signals from nerve and brain and to stimulate for providing sensory feedback will be determined in experimental models of nerve injury and of somatosensory cortex, in order to generate the proof of concept for the usability of interfaces for the control of neuroprostheses and for the neuromodulation of sensory dysfunctions (pain and touch) after nervous lesions. Multichannel stimulator will be developed and tailored for investigating the capability of the graphene based interface to provide sensory feedback. As a first trial in humans, surface devices with graphene electrodes will be tested on the stump of human amputees, to assess suitability for recording electromyographic signals with higher resolution than obtained with commercial electrodes, and for providing some sensory feedback. The results of the GRAFIN project will significantly push forward the forefront of graphene technology and innovation by increasing the TRL of graphene medical devices and by advancing towards clinical acceptance of graphene materials.

What? We aim to develop a green technology that uses renewable energy to convert methane into methanol at ambient conditions. By first investigating fundamental electrochemical aspects, we aim to develop and optimize a successful process while simultaneously advancing the science behind Power2X technologies. Why? In the future, methanol will be essential for clean energy storage and as a fuel. Converting CO₂- or biogas-derived methane will be a key technology for producing green methanol, while also addressing existing issues like gas flaring. How? By utilizing the most recent advancements in the field of electrochemistry, we investigate radical-based reactions using cutting-edge electrochemical techniques to obtain a pathway that overcome the low reactivity of methane and achieve high selectivity at meaningful conversion. Finally, understanding of the fundamentals will allow for optimized conditions for methane-to-methanol conversion.

2D materials exhibit promising properties for key European industrial areas including high-speed computing and communication technologies. However, mainly focused on crystalline materials, these applications are currently limited by the lack of direct and reproducible low cost-synthesis methods, due to high temperature growth. Recently, structurally disordered 2D materials, produced at much lower temperatures, have been shown to manifest a large degree of uniformity over large areas, and performant properties for device applications. Amorphous boron nitride (aBN) is found to exhibit ultra-low dielectric-constant, and excellent field emission performance, being suitable for interconnects technologies and high performance electronics, such as flexible dielectric devices or conductive bridging RAM. MINERVA aims to grow aBN thin films over large area on various substrates, and evaluate their properties as coatings for thermal, electronic and spintronic applications. Particular attention will be paid to achieve nanoscale control of the amorphicity, thickness of the films as well as doping rate and substrate interaction. The relationship between processing and atomic structure will be studied by an appropriate combination of analytical techniques. Modelling to understand the structures and properties of the materials will support and validate the experiments at every stage. The expected physical properties of such deposited layers, coupled with the versatility and adaptability in materials processing, as well as the large-area and uniform coverage at low temperature, should allow their integration as electronic components in ultimate nanoelectronic systems. More concretely, the added value of large scale aBN will be studied for resistive switching devices, magnetic tunnel junctions and spin injection tunnel barriers. The possible dependence of aBN electronic properties in contact to ferromagnetic electrodes will be explored in detail, predicting the possible fruitful potential of spin manipulation by proximity effect at the hybridized aBN/ferromagnet interface. This is expected to generate new scientific knowledge of charge and spin transport across novel 2D hybrid junctions. In addition, these newly tuned aBN materials, on which no studies have yet been conducted within the Graphene Flagship, will be added to the Samples and Materials Database as standard references. MINERVA brings together complementary expertises and is characterized by a high level of interaction between partners. UCBL will coordinate MINERVA and synthesize controlled aBN samples. ICN2 and UU will respectively perform measurements of thermal conductivity and charge and spin transport. UCLouvain and ICN2 will simulate spin-dependent transport throughout aBN films and investigate the coupling between aBN electronic properties and ferromagnetic materials. MINERVA will bring new materials and technological devices to the Flagship consortium, thereby supporting its industrial objectives.