Female Researchers' Network for Nanoscopy funded
Katrin Domke, research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P), received an Initial Training Network (ITN) grant of the European Union (EU). Together with five scientists from five different countries and under Swedish direction, Domke conceptualized the project „Female Investigators in Nonlinear Optical Nanoscopy” (FINON). Aim of this female researchers’ network is the development of new microscopic tools to gain unprecedented insight into physical-chemical processes taking place on the nanoscale, for example, the formation of supramolecular systems or nanostructures on surfaces. The project is supported with a total of almost 3.5 million Euros over four years, starting in October 2013.
Supported through the Emmy Noether program of the German Research Foundation, Katrin Domke joined the MPI-P as an independent group leader at the end of 2012. With her group, she develops and optimizes spectroscopy methods to understand chemical processes on surfaces in detail, thereby contributing, for example, to the development of improved solar cells or fuel cells. With the ITN financial contribution to the amount of 460.000 Euros, Domke will be able to expand her research group.
The EU finances ITN projects as part of the 7th Framework Program (FP7) for Research and Technological Development, and will continue to do so within Horizon2020, the imminent EU funding initiative, to enable networking, exchange and research collaborations throughout Europe. In addition to the six female project leaders from Germany, Sweden, Wales, Switzerland and France, eight international associated partners from private enterprises participate in FINON.
