BRIDGE: First Discovery projects set to go

The funding programme BRIDGE Discovery awards funds to experienced researchers in basic as well as applied research. This financial support will enable them to better use the innovation potential of their research results. With 189 applications, the first call for proposals received a very high participation. 27 projects were preselected for the second level of evaluation - a presentation of the project and subsequent interview. Based on this evaluation, the SNSF and Innosuisse will support eight projects with the available budget.

The second call for Discovery was launched in December 2017. Researchers can submit aletter of intent until 19 February 2018and aproject until 16 April 2018. The submission of the letter of intent is mandatory for the submission of a project.

The eight funded projects of the first call:

• Matthieu Despeisse (CSEM), Christophe Ballif (EPFL), Ayodhya Nath Tiwari (EMPA):High-performance tandem solar cells with improved stability and cost-competitive manufacturing
• Lukas Emmenegger (EMPA), Thomas Südmeyer (Uni Neuenburg), Jérôme Faist (ETH Zürich):High-resolution QCL frequency comb spectrometer for the detection of trace gases and their isotopes
• Anna Fontcuberta i Morral (EPFL):Ultra-bright electron sources for pulsed electron microscopy
• Lorenz Gubler (PSI):Functionalized Separators Enabling a Break-Through of Redox Flow Batteries for Stationary Energy Storage
• Tobias Jan Kippenberg (EPFL), Tobias Herr (CSEM):Energy efficient optical frequency combs based on photonic integrated resonators and temporally structured pump light
• Andreas Plückthun (Uni Zürich):The Modular Designer Detectome
• Stefan Weber (Uni Bern), Andreas Raabe (Inselspital Bern), Olivier Chételat (CSEM):Towards Intelligent Sensor-enhanced Robotic Neurosurgery
• Hugo Zbinden (Uni Genf), Nicolas Brunner (Uni Genf), Etienne Messerli (HES-SO):Self-testing Quantum Random Number Generator

BRIDGE