Human capital development and intense technical training were at the heart of the BRIDGE project. Across the project’s duration, a rigorous and structured training curriculum comprising 12 advanced courses was successfully completed, delivering a total of 121 course-hours. This program combined comprehensive multi-day courses hosted at FORTH by senior researchers from the Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) with an intensive training and research workshop hosted at Fraunhofer IVV in Freising, Germany.

Advanced Courses at Fraunhofer IVV (Freising, Germany):

Delivered by the Fraunhofer Training Team

  • Gas Chromatography Fundamentals & Basic Concepts | An in-depth session covering industrial sampling standards, hardware configurations, and the basic concepts of 1D gas chromatography.
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: Optimization & Data Processing | Technical training focused on analytical parameter optimization and advanced data processing for MS analytical systems.
  • Multidimensional Gas Chromatography (From 1D to GCxGC & GC-GC-MS) | Advanced instrumentation training on hyperfast GC setups, GCxGC hardware, modulators, method optimization, and multidimensional layout analysis.
  • TD-GCxGC-TOF MS Hardware & Software Operation | Hands-on proficient training on thermal desorption coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry platforms.
  • Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) | Two specialized sessions on trace gas analysis, online volatile organic compound monitoring, and real-time data interpretation.
  • Sensory Training & Breath Concepts | A practical workflow module detailing sensory science, volatile signature dynamics, and standardized biological sampling practices.

Advanced Courses at FORTH (Heraklion, Greece):

  • Electronic Structure of Solids (Parts I & II) | Delivered by Prof. Liberato Manna (IIT) An intensive training series mapping crystallography, electronic structures, and band engineering, with case studies on metal halide perovskites.
  • Characterization Techniques for Nanocrystals and 2D Materials | Delivered by Dr Mirko Prato (IIT) A 10-hour specialized technical course introducing standard methodologies in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
  • Water-Soluble Nanoparticles & Nanoparticle Toxicity | Delivered by Dr Teresa Pellegrino (IIT) A comprehensive evaluation of chemical synthesis, polymer functionalization, and critical safety assessments regarding the cytotoxicity of semiconductor nanostructures.
  • Optoelectronics of Nanomaterials | Delivered by Dr Francesco Di Stasio (IIT) A detailed photophysics course investigating light absorption, time-resolved spectroscopy, and metal-semiconductor junctions for device integration.
  • Nanomaterials Informatics and Robotic Synthesis | Delivered by Dr Milena Arciniegas (IIT) Exploring the cutting-edge intersection of data workflows, materials informatics, and automated robotic synthesis.
  • Mechanical Characterization and Nanomechanics | Delivered by Dr Luca Ceseracciu (IIT) Focused on engineering frameworks for miniaturized testing techniques, such as nanoindentation, ensuring sensor structural integrity.
  • Scientific Communication Skills | Delivered by Dr Roman Krahne (IIT) A dedicated training module on manuscript structuring, data visualization, and public speaking to elevate the dissemination capacity of early-stage researchers.
  • Introduction to Scanning Electron Microscopy on Nanomaterials | Delivered by Dr Rosaria Brescia (IIT) A specialized technical course focused on standard imaging parameters and the correct evaluation of SEM investigations in materials science.