Samuel Mañas Valero, student of the Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of the Universitat de València, has been awarded at the “XII Certamen Universitario Arquímedes de Introducción a la Investigación Científica” with the second prize for a project entitled “Towards a new generation of ultra-dense magnetic memories: detection and manipulation of magnetism in a unique nanoparticle”. This research work has been performed at the ICMol under the direction of Prof. Eugenio Coronado, Dr. Alicia Forment and Ms. Elena Pinilla.

In this project Samuel Mañas tries to overcome one of the current challenges in nanotechnology: the detection and manipulation of the magnetism in nanometric entities for their use in the preparation of ultra-high magnetic memories. To reach this goal molecule-based nanoparticles are organized with nanometric precision on a surface and then they their magnetism is detected and manipulated using a magnetic force microscope operating at low temperatures.

The Arquimedes event has been organized by the Dirección General de Política Universitaria (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte) since 2002. Its objectives are to promote the combination of education and research in the spanish university centers, and to favor the incorporation of talented young students to the research by awarding original research projects performed by these students in these centers.

Samuel Mañas’ project has been selected among the 255 applications received this year. The prize consists of a diploma and 4000 euros.

Notice that two other students from the Universitat de València have been awarded with compensation prizes: Abel Folch Fortuny and Nancy Carolina Tenjo Gil.