Laser induced nanojet functionalization of two-dimensional materials for sensing and energy harvesting applications | LANAFUSEHA project
Funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the LANAFUSEHA project aims to advance 2D materials by adding to them novel functionalities for improved energy-harvesting and sensing applications. It proposes to exploit the nanometer precision of a photonic nanojet to functionalize 2D materials by laser. The proposed technique entails scalable technology with low technological risk and commercial viability, enabling the creation of new devices and materials for use in a wide range of industries. [Project website]

Research Project PhoRTnano (ΑΤΤΡ4-0321281) Photocatalytic reactors for water and liquid waste purification with immobilized photocatalysts on micro/nanopatterned surfaces
The goal of this project is the development of low-cost and high-efficiency reactors for water and liquid waste purification, via organic pollutant destruction, based on novel photocatalytic materials and coatings, which will be developed and evaluated in terms of their photocatalytic activity. [Project website]

International distinction for post-doctoral researcher Dr. N. S. Tagiara
Dr. N.S. Tagiara, post-doctoral researcher at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute of the National Hellenic Research Foundation, was awarded the “2022 Norbert J. Kreidl Award for Young Scholars in Glass Science” by the American Ceramic Society, for her outstanding Ph.D. thesis work on “Synthesis, structure and properties of pure TeO₂ glass, binary and ternary tellurite glasses”. Nagia S. Tagiara conducted her Ph.D. studies at the TPCI/NHRF, under the supervision of E.I. Kamitsos.

International distinction for Research Director Dr. Efstratios I. Kamitsos
Dr. Efstratios I. Kamitsos, Director of Research at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute of the National Hellenic Research Foundation, was selected as the “2021 Alfred R. Cooper Distinguished Lecturer” on the “Structure and ion dynamics in glass” at the Glass and Optical Materials Division meeting of the American Ceramic Society (Columbus, Ohio, October 2021).

Research Project NANOSHIELD “New generation, safe, nanotechnological products to control plant diseases while improving plant health”
The NanoShield project aims to offer a valuable, affordable and alternative plant protection solution against plant-pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses, by adopting new technological approaches.

Presentation [pdf]

Research Project PROTECT “Innovative Industrial Materials with Advanced Multifunctionality, Prolonged Lifetime and Improved Performance Against Environmental Conditions for Versatile Protective Equipment” (ΟΠΣ 5069154)
The project aims in the holistic development of personal shielding media, modifying the existing anti-ballistic fiber plaques as well as the production of innovative anti-ballistic textile fabrics made from modified composite fabrics of regenerated cellulose/aramid.

Presentation [pdf] | Project website

Research Project Funding
Novel studies of cell interactions on nanostructured surfaces (MIS 5048213)
The project studies the interaction of aggressive breast cancer cells with immune cells, known as “natural killers”, by in vitro co-cultures which simulate the in vivo natural microenvironment.

Research Project Funding
Chemically modified MoS₂ with organic recognition motifs as electrochemical sensors for the selective detection of ions and (bio)molecules (MIS 5048201)
The project aims to develop electrochemical sensors for the selective detection of ions and (bio)molecules of high diagnostic importance. It is funded and implemented within the framework of the Operational Programme "Human Resources Development Education and Lifelong Learning", co-financed by Greece and the European Union (ΕΣΠΑ 2014-2020).

FEMS Masters Thesis Award
Mr. George Chatzigiannakis was awarded 1st place in the 2020 European-wide Masters Thesis competition, organized by the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS). The topic of his thesis was “Laser-microstructured ZnO/Si heterojunction photodetectors” and involved the development of broadband photodetectors with high responsivity across the UV-Vis-NIR spectral range, beyond the capabilities of typical silicon photodetectors, fabricated by novel laser-processing and thin-film deposition methods. Mr. Chatzigiannakis performed his thesis research at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) in Athens, Greece, under the supervision of Senior Researcher Dr. Maria Kandyla.

Chemical tuning MoS₂ for energy applications: Living on the edge
A new interdisciplinary study from groups at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI) of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), Athens, the Institut des Materiaux Jean Rouxel – CNRS Nantes, France, the Instituto de Nanociencia, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain, all within the H2020 Marie Curie ITN “Enabling Excellence” project, and Chimie des Interactions Plasma-Surface, University of Mons, Belgium, proves that 1,2-dithiolane derivatives can covalently anchored preferentially at the MoS2 sheet edges. This key result presents an important piece to the puzzle of 2D materials’ chemistry.

Contactless manipulation of nano-matter
Making use of recent advances in nanotechnology, novel optical nano-tweezers were developed by researchers of the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) in Athens, Greece, in collaboration with researchers of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton, UK.

Τhe Essential Role of s36 Protein in the Architectural Organization of Drosophila melanogaster Chorion
Interdisciplinary studies from groups at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI) in National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), the Section of Cell Biology and Biophysics in Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), the Proteomics Core Facility, Systems Biology Center in Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), and the Laboratory of Experimental Physiology in Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), unveil the essential contribution of s36 protein in the assembly and architecture of Drosophila chorion and the novel function of s36 chorionic protein in the regulation of number and morphogenetic integrity of dorsal appendages in follicles sporadically undergoing aged fly-dependent stress.

Ice-covered C₆₀ crystals, an interstellar birthplace for early life?
A new interdisciplinary study from groups at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI) in National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), Athens, Greece, the Institute of Materials Jean Rouxel in Nantes, and other laboratories across Europe and Canada

Participation of Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI), National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) in the 80th Thessaloniki International Fair

Distinction of Researchers of the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute of the National Hellenic Research Foundation at the 2014 Taipei International Invention Show and Technomart

Distinction of the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI/NHRF) in the evaluation of national research institutes

Research Project Funding
"Functionalization of graphene with multichromophoric arrays of photoactive units for energy conversion" (FUNGRAPH) - Action "ARISTEIA II"

Research Project Funding
"Functional nanostructured materials and devices" (POLYNANO) - Action "KRIPIS"

Research Project Funding
"Functional Self-assembled Nanostructures from Block Copolymers and Proteins" (NANOMACRO) - Action "ARISTEIA I"