PhD student Vikas Jangra delivered a presentation at the 2024 DGKK Seminar on “Growth Kinetics and Layer Transfer of Ultrathin Layers and 2D Materials,” co-hosted by the Aachen Graphene & 2D Materials Center, CST, DGKK, and AIXTRON SE. The seminar took place on September 16-17, 2024, in Aachen, with a special focus on 2D layer growth through various methods and transfer processes for ultra-thin semiconductor, dielectric, and metal films. Researchers from different fields gathered to discuss emerging topics, including: Synthesis of 2D materials, nucleation, growth processes, defects, instabilities Selective-area epitaxy Influence of adlayers on crystal growth Formation of ultrathin layers and nanostructures In-situ monitoring of growth processes Layer transfer and defects in layer structures Device results correlating to layer deposition or properties Thin film systems for Qubits and memristive structures Atomistic simulations like density functional theory and molecular dynamics

The FreeHydroCells project, a European multi-partner consortium led by University College Cork (UCC), has secured nearly €3.75 million in Horizon Europe research funding for over three years of pioneering research. If successful, this initiative could deliver a low-cost solar-to-chemical energy conversion system, utilising sustainable materials. Learn more at freehydrocells.eu. This project is funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101084261 (FreeHydroCells) and supported in part by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant Number 12/RC/2278-P2 (AMBER).