Research in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology is vital for sustainability globally: advancement in nanoscience and nanotechnology cannot be achieved without using research infrastructures (RI). RIANA encompasses 7 European networks of top-level RIs to cover the most advanced techniques relevant for synthesis, nanofabrication, processing, characterization, analytics, as well as simulation capacity. Highly customized and efficient access to 69 infrastructures is coordinated via a single-entry point and enabled through comprehensive Science and Innovation Service by senior scientists, experts for the transfer of technology from academia to industry, and highly trained Junior Scientists. The Junior Scientist boost RI experience to an entirely new level: they provide customized Science Service supporting users from initial ideas to hands-on experiments, data analysis and dissemination of results to generate the greatest impact from access to world-class RI. This core of RIANA is aligned to attract experienced and new users from academia or industry making their promising ideas a success and push them to higher TRL. RIANA is flexible to upcoming emergent scientific topics and needs: together with stakeholders from the nanocommunity, RIANA implements the opportunity to offer flexible access to additional infrastructures in, and even outside of Europe beyond the current consortium, and to direct the Science Service towards evolving user needs via additional specialized Junior Scientists. Based on the four years of experience, the RIANA consortium will develop a roadmap for the future of the nanoscience and nanotechnology at European RIs.
Project funding:
EU Research and Innovation Funding Programme “Horizon Europe”
Project results:
The RIANA project, focused on Research Infrastructure Access in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, aims to achieve several key results, all geared towards accelerating advancements in these critical fields for global sustainability. Based on the provided information, the expected results include:
• Enhanced Access to World-Class Research Infrastructures (RIs): RIANA coordinates access to 69 top-level RIs across 22 European countries, covering a vast array of advanced techniques for synthesis, nanofabrication, processing, characterization, analytics, and simulation. This is facilitated through a single-entry point, making it easier for researchers to utilize these resources.
• Comprehensive Science and Innovation Service: The project provides robust user support from senior scientists, technology transfer experts, and highly trained Junior Scientists. This support spans the entire research process, from initial idea generation and proposal writing to hands-on experiments, data analysis, and dissemination of results, aiming to maximize the impact of RI access.
• Increased User Engagement from Academia and Industry: RIANA aims to attract both experienced and new users from academic and industrial sectors, helping them develop their promising ideas into successful projects and push them to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). The “Innovation Service” specifically targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them mature their technology.
• Development of a Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Roadmap: Based on its four years of experience, the RIANA consortium will develop a strategic roadmap for the future of nanoscience and nanotechnology at European RIs, guiding future research and development in the field.
• Promotion of FAIR Data Principles: RIANA emphasizes the implementation of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles within Analytical Research Infrastructures. This includes harmonizing and standardizing Data Management Plans (DMPs) for experiments and making public project deliverables openly accessible via platforms like Zenodo and CORDIS.
• Improved Experimental Skills and Competencies: Through initiatives like the RIANA Training School on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and staff exchange programs, the project aims to enhance the experimental skills and competencies of Junior Scientists and young researchers within the RIANA networks.
• Fostering Inter-network Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: Programs like “Invite an Expert” promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among the different RIANA networks, leading to enhanced scientific quality and impact.
• Flexibility to Evolving Scientific Needs: RIANA is designed to be adaptable to emergent scientific topics and needs. It will offer flexible access to additional infrastructures (even outside the current consortium) and direct its Science Service towards evolving user requirements through specialized Junior Scientists, in collaboration with the nanocommunity stakeholders.
• New Scientific Approaches and Expanded User Community: By promoting experiments that combine various frameworks and techniques from different facilities, RIANA is expected to enable new research approaches and expand the user community in nanoscience and nanotechnology, thereby accelerating innovation.
Period of project implementation: 2024-03-01 - 2028-02-29
Project coordinator: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron Desy
Project partners: Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Politecnico di Milano, NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET (NTNU), Universiteit Antwerpen, Vysoke uceni technicke v Brne, TARTU ULIKOOL (UTARTU), Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO, KU Leuven, LUNDS UNIVERSITET, Kaunas University of Technology, INESC MN-Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering for Microsystems and Nanotechnology, University of Sevilla, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, HELMHOLTZ CENTER DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Institutul National de Cercetare Dezvoltare Pentru Textile si Pielarie, University of Coimbra (UC), Ruder Boskovic Institute, Uniwersytet Jagiellonski w Krakowie, STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT (RU), Universitet Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Uppsala University
