DAFNEOX · Project

Cheap Self-Assembling Nano-Coatings for Next-Generation Electronics and Sensors

manufacturingPrototypeTRL 3Thin data (2/5)

Imagine trying to arrange millions of tiny Lego bricks into perfect patterns on a surface — except each brick is thousands of times smaller than a human hair. That's essentially what this team figured out how to do, using clever chemistry that lets nano-sized particles organize themselves into regular grids on special oxide films. These patterned surfaces can then interact with light and magnetic fields in useful ways, opening the door to better sensors, displays, and electronic components. The trick is that the process is bottom-up and self-organizing, so it's potentially much cheaper than current top-down manufacturing methods.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries in consortium

EUR 769,500

EU contribution

total deliverables completed

demo-stage nanostructure deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Manufacturing nanoscale patterns on surfaces today requires expensive top-down processes like lithography, which limits who can afford to produce advanced sensors, displays, and electronic components. Companies need cheaper, scalable methods to create regular nanostructures for optoelectronic and magnetic devices. Without a cost-effective alternative, many potential products remain stuck in the lab.

The solution

What was built

The team built 5 generations of self-organized nanostructures on oxide thin films: basic self-organized films with nanoholes (NANO1), nanoparticles and nanorods of different sizes and compositions (NANO2), guided self-assembly on oxide nanotemplates (NANO3), second-generation improved nanostructures (NANO4), and functionalized self-organized nanooxide thin films (NANO5). In total, 22 deliverables were completed across the 4-year project.

Audience

Who needs this

Semiconductor companies developing next-generation photonic sensorsThin-film coating manufacturers adding magnetic or optical functionalityCatalytic surface producers seeking high-efficiency nano-structured materialsLED and display manufacturers looking for cheaper nanopatterning methodsSpintronics startups developing magnetic memory or logic devices

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Companies producing sensors, LEDs, or photonic devices

If you are an electronics manufacturer struggling with the high cost and complexity of nanoscale patterning — this project developed a bottom-up self-assembly method for positioning nano-objects in regular patterns on oxide films. The approach could replace expensive lithography steps, potentially reducing production costs for optoelectronic components. The consortium produced 5 generations of self-organized nanostructures across 8 partner institutions in 5 countries.

Advanced Coatings & Thin Films

mid-size

Target: Companies producing functional coatings for optical or magnetic applications

If you are a coatings company looking to add magnetic or photonic functionality to your thin-film products — this project created functionalized self-organized nanooxide thin films with controlled nanoparticle integration. The deliverables include guided self-assembly of nanoelements on oxide nanotemplates with various sizes and compositions. This could expand your product line into spintronics or advanced optical coatings.

Catalysis & Chemical Processing

any

Target: Companies developing catalytic materials or surfaces

If you are a chemical company seeking more efficient catalytic surfaces — this project's self-organized nanostructures with controlled size and composition could serve as high-surface-area catalytic templates. The objective specifically mentions catalytic applications alongside optoelectronics. With EUR 769,500 in EU funding and 22 deliverables completed, the underlying science has been thoroughly explored across multiple material systems.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this technology?

The project was funded under MSCA-RISE with EUR 769,500, primarily for researcher mobility and knowledge exchange rather than product development. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the coordinator (CSIC, Spain). Given the early-stage nature, costs would likely involve co-development investment rather than a ready license fee.

Can this be scaled to industrial production volumes?

The project focused on laboratory-scale self-assembly of nanostructures. While the bottom-up approach is described as 'scalable' in the objectives, no industrial-scale production evidence appears in the deliverables. Significant scale-up work would be needed before factory deployment.

What is the IP situation — are there patents or exclusive rights?

Based on available project data, IP ownership likely sits with the coordinating institution CSIC and consortium partners. MSCA-RISE projects typically allow partners to retain IP generated during secondments. Specific patent filings are not mentioned in the available deliverable data.

How close is this to a product I can actually use?

The 5 demo deliverables are all laboratory nanostructure demonstrations — self-organized films, guided assemblies, and functionalized thin films. The objective mentions 'proof of concept' through a spin-off company, but no commercial product or pilot device is documented. This is research-stage technology.

What equipment or expertise would I need to implement this?

You would need thin-film deposition equipment, cleanroom facilities, and expertise in oxide growth processes and nanocharacterization (microscopy, spectroscopy, magnetoelectronic measurement). The consortium included 4 universities and 3 research organizations, reflecting the deep scientific expertise required.

Are there regulatory hurdles for nanomaterials?

Any commercial nanomaterial product would need to comply with EU REACH regulations for nanomaterials and potentially sector-specific standards for electronics or coatings. Based on available project data, regulatory pathway analysis was not part of the project scope.

Consortium

Who built it

The DAFNEOX consortium of 8 partners across 5 countries (Belgium, Chile, Spain, Netherlands, Serbia) is heavily academic — 4 universities and 3 research organizations with only 1 industry partner and zero SMEs. The 12% industry ratio signals this is a research-driven project with limited commercial pull. The coordinator, CSIC (Spain's national research council), is a major public research body, not a commercial entity. For a business considering this technology, the absence of industrial partners means there is no company already working to commercialize the results — which is both a risk (no proven market demand) and an opportunity (less competition for licensing).

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASCoordinator · ES
FUNDACIO INSTITUT CATALA DE NANOCIENCIA I NANOTECNOLOGIAparticipant · ES
INSTITUT ZA FIZIKUparticipant · RS
UNIVERSIDAD TECNICA FEDERICO SANTA MARIApartner · CL
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILEpartner · CL
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFTparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

CSIC (Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas), Spain — contact through SciTransfer for a warm introduction to the research team.

Order a report on this consortium See AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore whether DAFNEOX's self-assembling nano-coating technology fits your product roadmap? SciTransfer can arrange a technical briefing with the research team and assess commercial viability for your specific use case.

Order a report on this topic More in Manufacturing & Industry 4.0