LEONINE project will promote scientific cooperation between local high schools and ICN2

by Virginia Greco

The project, funded by the Barcelona City Council and led by ICN2 young researcher Dr Xiao, will study the application of 2D materials in sound and humidity sensors. These devices will be used by students from local high school for climate and health-related field investigation.

The LEONINE project, dedicated to the monitoring of noise and humidity levels in various places of Catalunya, and led by the ICN2 Phononic and Photonic Nanostructures (P2N) Group, received funding from the Barcelona City Council through the Young and Emergent Research call 2022. A very remarkable aspect of LEONINE (“Monolayer and multilayer MoS₂-based sensors to evaluate noise and humidity levels on the sleep quality of the elderly”) is that it will involve the participation of high schools in Catalonia, whose students will have the occasion to learn about sensors and nanotechnology, while contributing to data collection in the region.

The project will be led by Dr Peng Xiao, young researcher in the P2N group who received his PhD in September 2022 from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB). Group leader ICREA Prof. Dr Clivia M. Sotomayor Torres and senior researcher Dr Marianna Sledzinska will also participate in the project activities, together with doctoral student Pu Tan. The local high schools that have already shown their interest in taking part into this project are: Col·legi La Vall in Bellaterra (Barcelona) and Institució Lleida in Alpicat (Lleida).

LEONINE focuses on the study and development of 2D materials —specifically, suspended crystalline Transition Metal Dichalcogenides— for applications in noise and humidity detection. The participating high school students will be trained to use the sensors for climate and health related field investigation, in particular, for studying the effects of noise and humidity on the sleep quality of elderly people. The project aims to bring advanced knowledge of nanoscience and nanotechnology closer to young students and encourage them to embark on a career in technology research and development.

The Young and Emergent Research call 2022 (Investigación Joven i Emergent Convocatoria 2022) was launched by the Barcelona City Council to support scientific projects led by young researchers. This Programme aims at consolidating the city as a benchmark in the field of science, both at the national and international level, and at providing opportunities for young and emerging scientists to develop their professional career in Barcelona. This initiatives is included in the framework of the "Barcelona Science Plan 2020-23" and the strategical plan signed between the Barcelona City Council and the Spanish Government.

Amb el suport de l'Ajuntament de Barcelona.