My main goal was to apply and learn advanced interferometric methods such as computational shear interferometry (CoSI) and adaptive wavefront sensing for precise evaluation of lens quality and safety. Throughout my stay, I was able to take part in practical experiments, data processing, and discussions about computational phase analysis. The work environment at BIAS was highly supportive, and I was inspired by the expertise and enthusiasm of the research team.

This experience not only deepened my understanding of optical interferometry but also strengthened my confidence as a young researcher. I am deeply and sincerely grateful to MAPEX, Dr. Falldorf, Dr. Mostafa Agour and the entire BIAS team for their generous guidance, scientific support, and warm hospitality throughout my stay in Bremen. I also greatly appreciate the financial support provided by the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, which made it possible to achieve results that would not have been attainable elsewhere, meet wonderful people, and enjoy a memorable scientific exchange. I sincerely hope that this inspiring experience will lead to ongoing collaboration between our groups.

OECT-based complementary inverters are of particular interest due to their unique response to ionic environments, making them strong candidates for interfacing with and mimicking biological systems. For this reason, they have mainly been employed as ionic sensors and as amplifiers in neuromorphic circuits, where the key goals are high sensitivity, large voltage gain, fast switching speed, and longterm stability. In this project, we expanded an ongoing study focused on achieving long-term stability and fast switching speeds while maintaining good voltage gain in these inverters.

My stay at IMSAS and the University of Bremen allowed me to expand my knowledge and gain valuable experience with the vertical architecture of OECTs. This opportunity was fundamental for both my professional development and my personal growth, as I was able to immerse myself in the stimulating and supportive environment of IMSAS and Uni-Bremen. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Björn Lüssem and everyone at IMSAS.

I am also deeply grateful to MAPEX for the financial support that made my stay possible. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Hanna Lührs and Ms. Britta Hinz for their kind support throughout this period.

As part of the MAPEX PhD Research Grant, I had the privilege of conducting a one-month research stay at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) in Bremen, under the mentorship of Dr. Katharina Koschek. My project focused on the development of polysiloxane–benzoxazine imine-linked vitrimer composites designed for reprocessability, shape recovery, and carbon fiber reinforcement.

During my stay, I engaged in hands-on fabrication of high-performance polymer matrices using sustainable materials and dynamic covalent chemistry principles. The composite matrices were reinforced using both recycled and multidirectional carbon fibers through hand lay-up and compression moulding techniques. These processing techniques were crucial to enhance the mechanical properties of the otherwise soft polymer films, allowing us to prepare reprocessable, self-healing composites with improved thermal and structural performance.

Working alongside experienced researchers and PhD students, I benefited from interdisciplinary discussions and practical training on advanced composite manufacturing and characterization methods. This collaborative and stimulating environment helped me refine my experimental protocols and gain insights into the industrial viability of dynamic polymer networks, including solvent-assisted recyclability and carbon fiber recovery from the vitrimer matrix.

This research stay has not only contributed valuable experimental data to my doctoral thesis but also laid the foundation for future collaborative projects between my home institution and Fraunhofer IFAM. I also had great time exploring city culture of Germans. I am deeply grateful to the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes for financially supporting this opportunity, which significantly enriched my research capabilities and broadened my professional network.

The research focused on exploring the potential application of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) as sensors due to their particular operation in liquid media. The primary goal was to detect the presence of clenbuterol, an anabolic agent used to increase muscle mass in cattle which possess serious health risks to humans consuming contaminated meat.

During the stay, the geometric factors of the device were varied and its response was studied, which allowed us to identify the ideal architecture for enhanced sensitivity. This also involved analyzing key performance metrics such as transconductance and hysteresis. Additionally, the concentration of clenbuterol was varied to determine detection limits, and to better understand the device’s behavior under varying analyte levels.

A comprehensive characterization of the device was achieved through techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and current-voltage measurements.

The devices with shorter channel lengths were found to have a higher on/off ratio and maximum transconductance values ​compared to those with longer channels. Furthermore, one specific device had a detection limit even below the maximum limit allowed by the World Health Organization (WHO-FAO) Codex Alimentarius which is very important for planned applications.

The results obtained from this research are planned to be published through a scientific article entitled “PEDOT:PSS organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) as potential for clenbuterol detection in cattle”

Personally, I am convinced that this research stay significantly contributed to my professional and personal development. IMSAS provided me with all necessary tools to carry out my research, introduced me to new characterization techniques, and reinforced the importance of pursuing technological improvements aimed at the common good. I am deeply grateful to Prof. Dr. Björn Lüssem for welcoming me in his group and for his continuous support and guidance throughout my stay. I would like to thank Dr. Henrique Frulani and Dr. Andika Asyuda, whose insightful discussions were a key for achieving the results in the frame of this project. Furthermore, I sincerely thank all the researchers in the group for their assistance, support and for fostering a friendly and collaborative environment that made this experience truly enriching.

I would like to acknowledge MAPEX for funding this research stay. Without their support, this project would not have been possible. Beyond the academic results, I would like to highlight the personal growth this experience provided me.

Also, I would like to acknowledge the International Office of the University of Bremen for the complementary support. Particularly, thanks to Jana Sievers for all the assistance and guidance before and throughout my stay.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gutowski and Dr. Alejandra Castro-Carranza (my thesis supervisor and Research Ambassador of the University of Bremen for Mexico) for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this journey.

I would once again like to extend my gratitude to MAPEX for the funding, Dr. Hanna Lührs for her assistance through the process, my supervisors Prof. Sven Kerzenmacher, Dr. Guillaume Pillot, and Cyprien Verseux for their support, and Prof. Nils Averesch for warmly welcoming me in California.