Light Energy (LiEN)

Purpose and goal

Originally designed to start an international professional experience and set up a collaboration between two European institutions, the fellowship allowed me to substantially spur my career: it resulted in being hired by Luleå Tekniska Universitet as an associate professor in experimental physics. There I got the support to set up a brand new research line, whose scientific results are being published in highly reputed international journals, to extend my collaboration network and to supervise highly motivated young people in an international working environment.

Expected results and effects

The expected effects originally envisaged were to allow me to broaden my CV with an international experience. I can say that the outcomes are far beyond my expectations. I could get a permanent position as associate professor at LTU, where I am now working full time in a very stimulating environment, without loosing my professional connections in Italy. The scientific outcomes are very interesting, too: we are now working on nanocomposites that can be exploited as platform for applications in solar energy conversions, photodetection, water remediation and water splitting.

Planned approach and implementation

I designed LiEn because I wanted to investigate some interesting nanocomposites and I wished to have an international experience, which was also pursued by both involved institutions. I got support from both Italy and Sweden, that allowed for a smooth project implementation. This support was given in terms of both access to the required facilities and managing the administrative aspects of LiEn. Also, every contact I had with VINNOVA was helpful. Overall, my evaluation is that managing the project was very smooth and easy, from the proposal submission till the end.