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Advanced Science (2026): e22850

Engineered Strain in 2D Materials by Direct Growth on Deterministically Patterned Grayscale Topographies

B. Erbas, A. Bala, H. Furci and et al.

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B. Erbas, A. Bala, H. Furci, et al.

Strain is a proven technique for modifying the bandgap and enhancing carrier mobility in 2D materials. Most current strain engineering techniques rely on the post-growth transfer of these atomically thin materials from growth substrates to target surfaces, limiting their integration into nanoelectronics. Here, we present a new approach where strain in 2D materials is already introduced directly during their growth on grayscale-patterned topographies instead of flat surfaces. Both strain levels and orientations are deterministically engineered by controlling grayscale surface contour lengths through thermal expansion mismatches in nanostructured stacks, where the conformally grown and firmly attached 2D material is forced to match the underlying morphology change during cooling. With this method, we experimentally demonstrate precise control of localized tensile strain from 0 to 0.5% in grown MoS2 monolayer along both uni- and multiaxial directions, while higher strain levels are shown to be theoretically possible. This strain-engineered growth of 2D material films directly on the target substrates is a generic and adaptable approach to various combinations of grayscale-thin-film/substrates and eliminates all the transfer-related limitations of previous approaches, thus paving the way for integrating strained 2D materials into next-generation nanoelectronics.

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from our users

Control Engineering Practice, Volume 170, May 2026, 106805

Electrically actuated control system for the stabilization of synchrotron X-ray beams

N. La Rosa, S. Moscato, L.Fortuna, M. Bucolo and M. Camarda

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N. La Rosa, S. Moscato, L.Fortuna, M. Bucolo, M. Camarda

Maintaining sub-micrometer stability of synchrotron X-ray beams is essential for the accuracy and repeatability of cutting-edge scientific and medical experiments. Traditional beamline stabilization systems, based on mechanical actuation of optical elements, are inherently limited in speed due to physical constraints like friction and inertia. This study introduces an innovative control strategy based on electrical actuation, directly influencing the bending magnet responsible for steering the beam into the beamline. This approach unlocks the potential for significantly higher control frequencies, comparable to those used for the electron beam stabilization. A laboratory-scale replica was developed to validate the feasibility and robustness of this method. A Proportional-Integral (PI) controller has been implemented to stabilize the electron beam and compensate for disturbances. Experimental results demonstrate that this strategy enables precise, high-frequency beam stabilization, even in the presence of typical disturbances such as position drift occurring during X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) experiments. This work lays the groundwork for next-generation control systems in synchrotron facilities, aiming to enhance performance and open the door to more advanced experimental capabilities.

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Inorganic Chemistry 2026 65 (5), 2728-2744

Anion Exchange in LaBaInO3F2: Structural and Optical Effects of Low-Temperature Topochemical Modification

S. Perween, B. Knies, M. Barroso and et al.

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S. Perween, B. Knies, M. Barroso, et al.

We present a comprehensive investigation of the low-temperature topochemical modification of the Ruddlesden–Popper-type (RP) indium oxyfluoride LaBaInO3F2 using sodium hydride (NaH). By varying NaH equivalents, we monitored phase evolution, anion exchange, and reduction pathways using combined structural, spectroscopic, elemental and the density functional theory (DFT) analysis. LaBaInO3F2 undergoes controlled anion-extraction, with hydride-for-fluoride substitution produces mixed-anion oxyfluoride-hydride phases, LaBaInO3F2–xHy, and NaF as a stable byproduct. At moderate xNaH contents (x ≤ 1), the RP-framework incorporates hydride with minimal decomposition, supported by reoxidation experiments and DFT-calculated reaction enthalpies that confirm oxidizable hydride and subtle modification of the indium coordination environment. In contrast, higher xNaH contents (x > 1) result in the formation of secondary phases, indicating progressive lattice degradation. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) indicates the possibility of subtle reduction of indium, with redox changes secondary to anion exchange. The executed study revealed a pathway how to stabilize hydride ions next to In3+, which is known to be notoriously hard otherwise. Optical spectroscopy reveals bandgap narrowing and enhanced visible-light absorption in hydride-rich samples, however, DFT estimates that idealized hydride substitution widens the bandgap, consistent with the experimentally non-ideal reduction with secondary phases. Overall, these findings establish hydride-based topochemical strategies as a promising route for controlled anion exchange with implications for photocatalytic and energy applications.

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WP2 - MGT2 - Pilot scheme for the management of a distributed research infrastructure offering harmonised, interoperable and integrated services

D2.8 - Second call for additional providers

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31 Jul 2025

Elisabetta Travaglia (CNR), Cristina Africh (CNR), Luis Fonseca (CSIC), Laura Esposito (CNR), Emmanuel Stratakis (FORTH), Giuseppe Piero Brandino (eXact lab), Giorgio Rossi (UniMI), Roberto Gotter (CNR)

According to the Grant Agreement, in the lifetime of NFFA-Europe Pilot the Transnational Access offer must enlarge to meet (i) the qualitative needs of users that could be better met with new specialized providers, or (ii) quantitative needs resulting in oversubscription of the current capacity. To this aim, two calls for additional access providers were foreseen at M24 and M40, respectively. This report describes the rationale that led to the text of the second call for additional access providers, i.e. from the evaluation of the needs – mainly based on the analysis provided in the deliverable D2.7 “Second balance of access provision” - to the search for alternative solutions to widen and strengthen the current offer.

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WP14 - JA4 - A safe-by-design platform for nanomaterials

D14.4 - Integration and characterization of the space correlation functionality on the complete setup

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31 May 2025

T. F. Keller (DESY), S. Kulkarni (DESY), H.A Suarez Orduz (ESRF), H. Castillo-Michel (ESRF)

This report presents an experimental workflow designed to perform correlative measurements as part of the NEP-NFFA project, using silicon nitride (Si3N4) membranes equipped with platinum (Pt) markers. These membranes were developed through a collaboration between DESY NanoLab and ESRF-ID21. DESY NanoLab was responsible for the Pt deposition on the Si3N4 membranes, while ESRF-ID21 carried out the correlative measurements. The purpose of the Pt markers on the membranes is to act as fiducial points that help to precisely locate specific regions or points of interest (ROI/POI) with micrometric or nanometric accuracy. This is essential to analyze the same point of the sample using different techniques, and to collect complementary data for a better understanding of the sample. The proposed workflow involves complementary techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and synchrotron-based techniques like micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) performed at the nano-X-ray microscope (nano-SXM) at beamline ID21 of the Softhis report describes the initial design of the membranes with the markers, as well as the optimized version, based on results obtained during the first tests with nano-SXM. In addition, it shows how the Pt markers enable accurate correlation through the web-based graphical interface Daiquiri, linking the morphological information from optical microscopy with the chemical information obtained from µXRF. The technical feasibility of this approach has been confirmed, showing that the process is reproducible and potentially applicable to similar studies. This is possible due to the standardized Pt deposition process and the use of nano-SXM for sample localization and data acquisition.

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WP14 - JA4 - A safe-by-design platform for nanomaterials

D14.5 - Production and report of three case studies with selected workflows

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31 May 2025

J. Linell (LUND), C. Isaxson (LUND), C. Abrahamsson (LUND), Maria Enea (INL) et al.

This report aims to demonstrate the usefulness of the NFFA workflow to assess nanomaterials and their interaction with different cell lines. It also seeks to generate improved protocols and educational material that can be shared with other European users working with similar ENMs.

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Transnational Access Statistics

31 calls for access

1176 proposals submitted

61% rate of acceptance

30% with Large Scale Facilities

13% with theory

12% with industry

~3 average users per proposal

66 countries applying

3653 lab sessions