The activity of UNIBS spans from the investigation of basic sensing process to the development of industrial applications. The main aims are the preparation and characterisation of semiconducting thin films and nanowires for functional applications. In the period 2002-2011 UNIBS attracted funding for about 2.2 M€.

List of five recent publications related to the project

1. E. Comini, G. Sberveglieri, Metal oxide nanowires as chemical sensors, Materials Today, Volume 13, Issues 7-8, July-August 2010, Pages 36-44.
2. E. Comini, G. Faglia, A. Vomiero et al., Quasi-one dimensional metal oxide semiconductor: preparation, characterization and application as chemical sensors, Progress in Materials Science 54 (2009) 1-67
3. E. Comini, G. Faglia, A. Vomiero et al. Synthesis and characterization of semiconducting nanowires for gas sensing. Sensors and Actuators B-Chemical, 2007. 121(1): p. 208-213
4. Ponzoni, A., C. Baratto, S. Bianchi, E. Comini, M. Ferroni, M. Pardo, M. Vezzoli, A. Vomiero, G. Faglia, and G. Sberveglieri, Metal oxide nanowire and thin-film-based gas sensors for chemical warfare simulants detection. Ieee Sensors Journal, 2008. 8(5-6): p. 735-742.
5. Hackner, A., A. Habauzit, G. Muller, E. Comini, G. Faglia, and G. Sberveglieri, Surface Ionization Gas Detection on Platinum and Metal Oxide Surfaces. Ieee Sensors Journal, 2009. 9(12): p. 1727-1733.

Eight researchers compose the permanent staff plus several PhD students and visiting professors. The activity of UNIBS spans from the investigation of basic sensing process to the development of industrial applications. The main aims are the preparation and characterisation of semiconducting thin films and nanowires for functional applications
UNIBS can guarantee the exchange programme activities with cutting edge infrastructure and advanced facilities that will allow the full development of the research project. The facilities at UNIBS Lab include state of the art for material synthesis, morphological and structural characterization and functional characterization of the materials and devices. The facilities at UNIBS Lab are complementary to the other partners of the consortium, so that this situation represents a great advantage for the development of the project, since the partners are committed to a strong interaction, thus developing an intense scientific collaboration. The available instrumentation related to the project is described below: according to the proposed project and work plan, it is ideal for achieving our objectives.

Material synthesis
High temperature (up to 1500 °C) and UHV furnaces for PVD growth of 1D nanowires and post-growth annealing; sputtering equipments (DC & RF, reactive and non reactive) for thin film deposition (catalysts for nanowires, Ti film for nanotube, electric contacts, insulating buffer layers)

Morphological & structural characterization
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-FEG), Energy dispersed X-ray analysis (EDX), Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Transmission electron microscopy and related Selected area diffraction (TEM, SAED), Atomic force microscopy (AFM),

Functional characterization
Four advanced systems for chemical sensors characterisation toward gaseous mixtures in controlled conditions of humidity, temperature and light exposure. The instrumentation monitors many parameters as sensor response: electrical conductivity, work function, photoluminescence and reflectance.
Nano-manipulators inside SEM for local measurement of electrical behaviour of nanostructures.