Project acronym 2-3-AUT
Project Surfaces, 3-manifolds and automorphism groups
Researcher (PI) Nathalie Wahl
Host Institution (HI) KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE1, ERC-2009-StG
Summary The scientific goal of the proposal is to answer central questions related to diffeomorphism groups of manifolds of dimension 2 and 3, and to their deformation invariant analogs, the mapping class groups. While the classification of surfaces has been known for more than a century, their automorphism groups have yet to be fully understood. Even less is known about diffeomorphisms of 3-manifolds despite much interest, and the objects here have only been classified recently, by the breakthrough work of Perelman on the Poincar\'e and geometrization conjectures. In dimension 2, I will focus on the relationship between mapping class groups and topological conformal field theories, with applications to Hochschild homology. In dimension 3, I propose to compute the stable homology of classifying spaces of diffeomorphism groups and mapping class groups, as well as study the homotopy type of the space of diffeomorphisms. I propose moreover to establish homological stability theorems in the wider context of automorphism groups and more general families of groups. The project combines breakthrough methods from homotopy theory with methods from differential and geometric topology. The research team will consist of 3 PhD students, and 4 postdocs, which I will lead.
Summary
The scientific goal of the proposal is to answer central questions related to diffeomorphism groups of manifolds of dimension 2 and 3, and to their deformation invariant analogs, the mapping class groups. While the classification of surfaces has been known for more than a century, their automorphism groups have yet to be fully understood. Even less is known about diffeomorphisms of 3-manifolds despite much interest, and the objects here have only been classified recently, by the breakthrough work of Perelman on the Poincar\'e and geometrization conjectures. In dimension 2, I will focus on the relationship between mapping class groups and topological conformal field theories, with applications to Hochschild homology. In dimension 3, I propose to compute the stable homology of classifying spaces of diffeomorphism groups and mapping class groups, as well as study the homotopy type of the space of diffeomorphisms. I propose moreover to establish homological stability theorems in the wider context of automorphism groups and more general families of groups. The project combines breakthrough methods from homotopy theory with methods from differential and geometric topology. The research team will consist of 3 PhD students, and 4 postdocs, which I will lead.
Max ERC Funding
724 992 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-11-01, End date: 2014-10-31
Project acronym 20SInhibitor
Project Selective 20S proteasome inhibition for multiple myeloma therapy
Researcher (PI) Michal SHARON
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2018-PoC
Summary Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells, that is incurable, and the second most common form of blood cancer. Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are considered a mainstay in the treatment of MM and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Current drugs, based on PIs however, target the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome, and inhibit the activities of both the 20S and 26S proteasomes. Thus, it is possible that selective drug intervention specifically inhibiting only the 20S proteasomes will reduce toxicity, and minimize the deleterious side effects of the current therapeutic regimens.
Our preliminary work revealed a family of 20S proteasome inhibitors, which we termed Catalytic Core Regulators (CCRs) that selectively target the 20S proteasome rather than the 26S complex. Based on sequence motif and structural elements of the CCRs we have designed an artificial protein that is capable of inhibiting the 20S proteasome. We anticipate that these findings will lead to the design of synthetic proteins, peptides or peptidomimetic compounds targeting cancer cells more specifically. This specificity will pose the compounds in an attractive light for using them in various therapeutic applications.
What is exciting from the commercialization perspective, is that pharmaceutical research has switched to revisit the use of peptides as therapeutics. Pharmaceutical companies have seen the development of peptides as a promising direction to lower their risk position. Overall, peptide therapeutics have a 20% chance of receiving regulatory approval, a probability that is 50% higher than that for the approval of small molecules, which form the basis of so called traditional drugs.
In the project, we will carry out actions, which will equip us with the sufficient IP protection strategy, business strategy, industry networks and initial contacts for taking the innovation out from the laboratory to next phase in developing therapy first for MM and MCL later on.
Summary
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells, that is incurable, and the second most common form of blood cancer. Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are considered a mainstay in the treatment of MM and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Current drugs, based on PIs however, target the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 20S proteasome, and inhibit the activities of both the 20S and 26S proteasomes. Thus, it is possible that selective drug intervention specifically inhibiting only the 20S proteasomes will reduce toxicity, and minimize the deleterious side effects of the current therapeutic regimens.
Our preliminary work revealed a family of 20S proteasome inhibitors, which we termed Catalytic Core Regulators (CCRs) that selectively target the 20S proteasome rather than the 26S complex. Based on sequence motif and structural elements of the CCRs we have designed an artificial protein that is capable of inhibiting the 20S proteasome. We anticipate that these findings will lead to the design of synthetic proteins, peptides or peptidomimetic compounds targeting cancer cells more specifically. This specificity will pose the compounds in an attractive light for using them in various therapeutic applications.
What is exciting from the commercialization perspective, is that pharmaceutical research has switched to revisit the use of peptides as therapeutics. Pharmaceutical companies have seen the development of peptides as a promising direction to lower their risk position. Overall, peptide therapeutics have a 20% chance of receiving regulatory approval, a probability that is 50% higher than that for the approval of small molecules, which form the basis of so called traditional drugs.
In the project, we will carry out actions, which will equip us with the sufficient IP protection strategy, business strategy, industry networks and initial contacts for taking the innovation out from the laboratory to next phase in developing therapy first for MM and MCL later on.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-04-01, End date: 2020-09-30
Project acronym 2D-4-CO2
Project DESIGNING 2D NANOSHEETS FOR CO2 REDUCTION AND INTEGRATION INTO vdW HETEROSTRUCTURES FOR ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Researcher (PI) Damien VOIRY
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2018-STG
Summary CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) holds great promise for conversion of the green-house gas carbon dioxide into chemical fuels. The absence of catalytic materials demonstrating high performance and high selectivity currently hampers practical demonstration. CO2RR is also limited by the low solubility of CO2 in the electrolyte solution and therefore electrocatalytic reactions in gas phase using gas diffusion electrodes would be preferred. 2D materials have recently emerged as a novel class of electrocatalytic materials thanks to their rich structures and electronic properties. The synthesis of novel 2D catalysts and their implementation into photocatalytic systems would be a major step towards the development of devices for storing solar energy in the form of chemical fuels. With 2D-4-CO2, I propose to: 1) develop novel class of CO2RR catalysts based on conducting 2D nanosheets and 2) demonstrate photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels using structure engineered gas diffusion electrodes made of 2D conducting catalysts. To reach this goal, the first objective of 2D-4-CO2 is to provide guidelines for the development of novel cutting-edge 2D catalysts towards CO2 conversion into chemical fuel. This will be possible by using a multidisciplinary approach based on 2D materials engineering, advanced methods of characterization and novel designs of gas diffusion electrodes for the reduction of CO2 in gas phase. The second objective is to develop practical photocatalytic systems using van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures for the efficient conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels. vdW heterostructures will consist in rational designs of 2D materials and 2D-like materials deposited by atomic layer deposition in order to achieve highly efficient light conversion and prolonged stability. This project will not only enable a deeper understanding of the CO2RR but it will also provide practical strategies for large-scale application of CO2RR for solar fuel production.
Summary
CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) holds great promise for conversion of the green-house gas carbon dioxide into chemical fuels. The absence of catalytic materials demonstrating high performance and high selectivity currently hampers practical demonstration. CO2RR is also limited by the low solubility of CO2 in the electrolyte solution and therefore electrocatalytic reactions in gas phase using gas diffusion electrodes would be preferred. 2D materials have recently emerged as a novel class of electrocatalytic materials thanks to their rich structures and electronic properties. The synthesis of novel 2D catalysts and their implementation into photocatalytic systems would be a major step towards the development of devices for storing solar energy in the form of chemical fuels. With 2D-4-CO2, I propose to: 1) develop novel class of CO2RR catalysts based on conducting 2D nanosheets and 2) demonstrate photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels using structure engineered gas diffusion electrodes made of 2D conducting catalysts. To reach this goal, the first objective of 2D-4-CO2 is to provide guidelines for the development of novel cutting-edge 2D catalysts towards CO2 conversion into chemical fuel. This will be possible by using a multidisciplinary approach based on 2D materials engineering, advanced methods of characterization and novel designs of gas diffusion electrodes for the reduction of CO2 in gas phase. The second objective is to develop practical photocatalytic systems using van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures for the efficient conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels. vdW heterostructures will consist in rational designs of 2D materials and 2D-like materials deposited by atomic layer deposition in order to achieve highly efficient light conversion and prolonged stability. This project will not only enable a deeper understanding of the CO2RR but it will also provide practical strategies for large-scale application of CO2RR for solar fuel production.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 931 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-01-01, End date: 2023-12-31
Project acronym 2D-PnictoChem
Project Chemistry and Interface Control of Novel 2D-Pnictogen Nanomaterials
Researcher (PI) Gonzalo ABELLAN SAEZ
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2018-STG
Summary 2D-PnictoChem aims at exploring the Chemistry of a novel class of graphene-like 2D layered
elemental materials of group 15, the pnictogens: P, As, Sb, and Bi. In the last few years, these materials
have taken the field of Materials Science by storm since they can outperform and/or complement graphene
properties. Their strongly layer-dependent unique properties range from semiconducting to metallic,
including high carrier mobilities, tunable bandgaps, strong spin-orbit coupling or transparency. However,
the Chemistry of pnictogens is still in its infancy, remaining largely unexplored. This is the niche that
2D-PnictoChem aims to fill. By mastering the interface chemistry, we will develop the assembly of 2Dpnictogens
in complex hybrid heterostructures for the first time. Success will rely on a cross-disciplinary
approach combining both Inorganic- and Organic Chemistry with Solid-state Physics, including: 1)
Synthetizing and exfoliating high quality ultra-thin layer pnictogens, providing reliable access down to
the monolayer limit. 2) Achieving their chemical functionalization via both non-covalent and covalent
approaches in order to tailor at will their properties, decipher reactivity patterns and enable controlled
doping avenues. 3) Developing hybrid architectures through a precise chemical control of the interface,
in order to promote unprecedented access to novel heterostructures. 4) Exploring novel applications
concepts achieving outstanding performances. These are all priorities in the European Union agenda
aimed at securing an affordable, clean energy future by developing more efficient hybrid systems for
batteries, electronic devices or applications in catalysis. The opportunity is unique to reduce Europe’s
dependence on external technology and the PI’s background is ideally suited to tackle these objectives,
counting as well on a multidisciplinary team of international collaborators.
Summary
2D-PnictoChem aims at exploring the Chemistry of a novel class of graphene-like 2D layered
elemental materials of group 15, the pnictogens: P, As, Sb, and Bi. In the last few years, these materials
have taken the field of Materials Science by storm since they can outperform and/or complement graphene
properties. Their strongly layer-dependent unique properties range from semiconducting to metallic,
including high carrier mobilities, tunable bandgaps, strong spin-orbit coupling or transparency. However,
the Chemistry of pnictogens is still in its infancy, remaining largely unexplored. This is the niche that
2D-PnictoChem aims to fill. By mastering the interface chemistry, we will develop the assembly of 2Dpnictogens
in complex hybrid heterostructures for the first time. Success will rely on a cross-disciplinary
approach combining both Inorganic- and Organic Chemistry with Solid-state Physics, including: 1)
Synthetizing and exfoliating high quality ultra-thin layer pnictogens, providing reliable access down to
the monolayer limit. 2) Achieving their chemical functionalization via both non-covalent and covalent
approaches in order to tailor at will their properties, decipher reactivity patterns and enable controlled
doping avenues. 3) Developing hybrid architectures through a precise chemical control of the interface,
in order to promote unprecedented access to novel heterostructures. 4) Exploring novel applications
concepts achieving outstanding performances. These are all priorities in the European Union agenda
aimed at securing an affordable, clean energy future by developing more efficient hybrid systems for
batteries, electronic devices or applications in catalysis. The opportunity is unique to reduce Europe’s
dependence on external technology and the PI’s background is ideally suited to tackle these objectives,
counting as well on a multidisciplinary team of international collaborators.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 419 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-11-01, End date: 2023-10-31
Project acronym 2D4QT
Project 2D Materials for Quantum Technology
Researcher (PI) Christoph STAMPFER
Host Institution (HI) RHEINISCH-WESTFAELISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE AACHEN
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE3, ERC-2018-COG
Summary Since its discovery, graphene has been indicated as a promising platform for quantum technologies (QT). The number of theoretical proposal dedicated to this vision has grown steadily, exploring a wide range of directions, ranging from spin and valley qubits, to topologically-protected states. The experimental confirmation of these ideas lagged so far significantly behind, mostly because of material quality problems. The quality of graphene-based devices has however improved dramatically in the past five years, thanks to the advent of the so-called van der Waals (vdW) heteostructures - artificial solids formed by mechanically stacking layers of different two dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride and transition metal dichalcogenides. These new advances open now finally the door to put several of those theoretical proposals to test.
The goal of this project is to assess experimentally the potential of graphene-based heterostructures for QT applications. Specifically, I will push the development of an advanced technological platform for vdW heterostructures, which will allow to give quantitative answers to the following open questions: i) what are the relaxation and coherence times of spin and valley qubits in isotopically purified bilayer graphene (BLG); ii) what is the efficiency of a Cooper-pair splitter based on BLG; and iii) what are the characteristic energy scales of topologically protected quantum states engineered in graphene-based heterostructures.
At the end of this project, I aim at being in the position of saying whether graphene is the horse-worth-betting-on predicted by theory, or whether it still hides surprises in terms of fundamental physics. The technological advancements developed in this project for integrating nanostructured layers into vdW heterostructures will reach even beyond this goal, opening the door to new research directions and possible applications.
Summary
Since its discovery, graphene has been indicated as a promising platform for quantum technologies (QT). The number of theoretical proposal dedicated to this vision has grown steadily, exploring a wide range of directions, ranging from spin and valley qubits, to topologically-protected states. The experimental confirmation of these ideas lagged so far significantly behind, mostly because of material quality problems. The quality of graphene-based devices has however improved dramatically in the past five years, thanks to the advent of the so-called van der Waals (vdW) heteostructures - artificial solids formed by mechanically stacking layers of different two dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride and transition metal dichalcogenides. These new advances open now finally the door to put several of those theoretical proposals to test.
The goal of this project is to assess experimentally the potential of graphene-based heterostructures for QT applications. Specifically, I will push the development of an advanced technological platform for vdW heterostructures, which will allow to give quantitative answers to the following open questions: i) what are the relaxation and coherence times of spin and valley qubits in isotopically purified bilayer graphene (BLG); ii) what is the efficiency of a Cooper-pair splitter based on BLG; and iii) what are the characteristic energy scales of topologically protected quantum states engineered in graphene-based heterostructures.
At the end of this project, I aim at being in the position of saying whether graphene is the horse-worth-betting-on predicted by theory, or whether it still hides surprises in terms of fundamental physics. The technological advancements developed in this project for integrating nanostructured layers into vdW heterostructures will reach even beyond this goal, opening the door to new research directions and possible applications.
Max ERC Funding
1 806 250 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-09-01, End date: 2024-08-31
Project acronym 2shRNA
Project 2shRNA branched nanobinders as promising therapeutic tools for combined cancer therapy
Researcher (PI) Modesto Orozco López
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE RECERCA BIOMEDICA (IRB BARCELONA)
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2018-PoC
Summary This project aims to optimize and validate a promising therapeutic tool for combined cancer therapy, 2shRNA, in an ex vivo model system.
Combined therapies are of great significance nowadays, due to their key role in fighting, for instances, resistance processes during cancer treatment. Nonetheless, the drug combinations approved to date face several problems, such as cooperative toxicity effects, lack of efficiency and poor bioavailability. We have designed and synthesized 2shRNA, a new bifunctional RNA tool that can simultaneously attack two therapeutic targets involved in drug resistance pathways, and that can additionally bind other molecules such as peptide carriers or fluorophores, to improve delivery and efficacy. The 2shRNA nanostructure displayed low toxicity and excellent anti-proliferative properties in resistant HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. The present proposal is aimed at optimizing and validating this novel and promising RNA tool by combining state-of-the-art bioinformatics design and cycles of chemical refinement with biological evaluation in PDx-derived primary cell cultures and biodistribution studies in PDx mouse models. The proposed strategy presents a novel therapeutic approach with great potential to circumvent drug resistance in breast cancer, which is a major health challenge for our society. The ability of our biostable RNA tool to administer two drugs in a single dose could improve the quality of life of the patients, as fewer doses might be needed to stall disease progression.
Summary
This project aims to optimize and validate a promising therapeutic tool for combined cancer therapy, 2shRNA, in an ex vivo model system.
Combined therapies are of great significance nowadays, due to their key role in fighting, for instances, resistance processes during cancer treatment. Nonetheless, the drug combinations approved to date face several problems, such as cooperative toxicity effects, lack of efficiency and poor bioavailability. We have designed and synthesized 2shRNA, a new bifunctional RNA tool that can simultaneously attack two therapeutic targets involved in drug resistance pathways, and that can additionally bind other molecules such as peptide carriers or fluorophores, to improve delivery and efficacy. The 2shRNA nanostructure displayed low toxicity and excellent anti-proliferative properties in resistant HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. The present proposal is aimed at optimizing and validating this novel and promising RNA tool by combining state-of-the-art bioinformatics design and cycles of chemical refinement with biological evaluation in PDx-derived primary cell cultures and biodistribution studies in PDx mouse models. The proposed strategy presents a novel therapeutic approach with great potential to circumvent drug resistance in breast cancer, which is a major health challenge for our society. The ability of our biostable RNA tool to administer two drugs in a single dose could improve the quality of life of the patients, as fewer doses might be needed to stall disease progression.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-01-01, End date: 2020-06-30
Project acronym 3D Cer-Met
Project 3D Thin-Walled Ceramic and Ceramic-Metal Components using Electrolytic Plasma Processing
Researcher (PI) Allan MATTHEWS
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2018-PoC
Summary This proposal relates to the Proof of Concept stage investigation of exciting new findings in the ERC Advanced Grant ‘IMPUNEP’ project relating to the study and use of plasma-based processes. These findings offer significant advantages for the creation of complex 3D ceramic and ceramic-metal products at relatively low cost in an environmentally friendly manner. The potential applications of this new technology are very wide-ranging, and include the creation of new products as diverse as healthcare devices, MEMS and aero/automotive parts. Before we properly and fully identify the most promising applications, we need to investigate key aspects of the performance of materials created by this new method. This aspect wasn’t envisaged in the original proposal and involves research into the mechanical properties (especially the strength and elastic modulus) of these 3D parts and their response to deformation and dynamic displacements, as well as their physical (including electrical) properties. These components will be highly resistant to attack by aggressive (e.g. acidic) media as well as highly tolerant to both low (cryogenic) and high (combustion) temperatures. The expected applications opened up by this new method to produce ceramic and ceramic-metal components of complex shape are extensive. Hence the need for this Proof of Concept study, which will focus on validating the process for 3D ceramic-metal and ceramic parts and evaluating the mechanical, chemical, electrical and physical attributes of the 3D shapes, and will explore their potential applications in this pre-demonstration phase.
Summary
This proposal relates to the Proof of Concept stage investigation of exciting new findings in the ERC Advanced Grant ‘IMPUNEP’ project relating to the study and use of plasma-based processes. These findings offer significant advantages for the creation of complex 3D ceramic and ceramic-metal products at relatively low cost in an environmentally friendly manner. The potential applications of this new technology are very wide-ranging, and include the creation of new products as diverse as healthcare devices, MEMS and aero/automotive parts. Before we properly and fully identify the most promising applications, we need to investigate key aspects of the performance of materials created by this new method. This aspect wasn’t envisaged in the original proposal and involves research into the mechanical properties (especially the strength and elastic modulus) of these 3D parts and their response to deformation and dynamic displacements, as well as their physical (including electrical) properties. These components will be highly resistant to attack by aggressive (e.g. acidic) media as well as highly tolerant to both low (cryogenic) and high (combustion) temperatures. The expected applications opened up by this new method to produce ceramic and ceramic-metal components of complex shape are extensive. Hence the need for this Proof of Concept study, which will focus on validating the process for 3D ceramic-metal and ceramic parts and evaluating the mechanical, chemical, electrical and physical attributes of the 3D shapes, and will explore their potential applications in this pre-demonstration phase.
Max ERC Funding
149 500 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-01-01, End date: 2020-03-31
Project acronym 3D-FABRIC
Project 3D Flow Analysis in Bijels Reconfigured for Interfacial Catalysis
Researcher (PI) Martin F. HAASE
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2018-STG
Summary The objective of this proposal is to determine the unknown criteria for convective cross-flow in bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels). Based on this, we will answer the question: Can continuously operated interfacial catalysis be realized in bijel cross-flow reactors? Demonstrating this potential will introduce a broadly applicable chemical technology, replacing wasteful chemical processes that require organic solvents. We will achieve our objective in three steps:
(a) Control over bijel structure and properties. Bijels will be formed with a selection of functional inorganic colloidal particles. Nanoparticle surface modifications will be developed and extensively characterized. General principles for the parameters determining bijel structures and properties will be established based on confocal and electron microscopy characterization. These principles will enable unprecedented control over bijel formation and will allow for designing desired properties.
(b) Convective flow in bijels. The mechanical strength of bijels will be tailored and measured. With mechanically robust bijels, the influence of size and organization of oil/water channels on convective mass transfer in bijels will be investigated. To this end, a bijel mass transfer apparatus fabricated by 3d-printing of bijel fibers and soft photolithography will be introduced. In conjunction with the following objective, the analysis of convective flows in bijels will facilitate a thorough description of their structure/function relationships.
(c) Biphasic chemical reactions in STrIPS bijel cross-flow reactors. First, continuous extraction in bijels will be realized. Next, conditions to carry out continuously-operated, phase transfer catalysis of well-known model reactions in bijels will be determined. Both processes will be characterized in-situ and in 3-dimensions by confocal microscopy of fluorescent phase transfer reactions in transparent bijels.
Summary
The objective of this proposal is to determine the unknown criteria for convective cross-flow in bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels). Based on this, we will answer the question: Can continuously operated interfacial catalysis be realized in bijel cross-flow reactors? Demonstrating this potential will introduce a broadly applicable chemical technology, replacing wasteful chemical processes that require organic solvents. We will achieve our objective in three steps:
(a) Control over bijel structure and properties. Bijels will be formed with a selection of functional inorganic colloidal particles. Nanoparticle surface modifications will be developed and extensively characterized. General principles for the parameters determining bijel structures and properties will be established based on confocal and electron microscopy characterization. These principles will enable unprecedented control over bijel formation and will allow for designing desired properties.
(b) Convective flow in bijels. The mechanical strength of bijels will be tailored and measured. With mechanically robust bijels, the influence of size and organization of oil/water channels on convective mass transfer in bijels will be investigated. To this end, a bijel mass transfer apparatus fabricated by 3d-printing of bijel fibers and soft photolithography will be introduced. In conjunction with the following objective, the analysis of convective flows in bijels will facilitate a thorough description of their structure/function relationships.
(c) Biphasic chemical reactions in STrIPS bijel cross-flow reactors. First, continuous extraction in bijels will be realized. Next, conditions to carry out continuously-operated, phase transfer catalysis of well-known model reactions in bijels will be determined. Both processes will be characterized in-situ and in 3-dimensions by confocal microscopy of fluorescent phase transfer reactions in transparent bijels.
Max ERC Funding
1 905 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-06-01, End date: 2024-05-31
Project acronym 3D-FIREFLUC
Project Taming the particle transport in magnetized plasmas via perturbative fields
Researcher (PI) Eleonora VIEZZER
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2018-STG
Summary Wave-particle interactions are ubiquitous in nature and play a fundamental role in astrophysical and fusion plasmas. In solar plasmas, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluctuations are thought to be responsible for the heating of the solar corona and the generation of the solar wind. In magnetically confined fusion (MCF) devices, enhanced particle transport induced by MHD fluctuations can deteriorate the plasma confinement, and also endanger the device integrity. MCF devices are an ideal testbed to verify current models and develop mitigation / protection techniques.
The proposed project paves the way for providing active control techniques to tame the MHD induced particle transport in a fusion plasma. A solid understanding of the interaction between energetic particles and MHD instabilities in the presence of electric fields and plasma currents is required to develop such techniques. I will pursue this goal through innovative diagnosis techniques with unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution. Combined with state-of-the-art hybrid MHD codes, a deep insight into the underlying physics mechanism will be gained. The outcome of this research project will have a major impact for next-step MCF devices as I will provide ground-breaking control techniques for mitigating MHD induced particle transport in magnetized plasmas.
The project consists of 3 research lines which follow a bottom-up approach:
(1) Cutting-edge instrumentation, aiming at the new generation of energetic particle and edge current diagnostics.
(2) Unravel the dynamics of energetic particles, electric fields, edge currents and MHD fluctuations.
(3) From lab to space weather: The developed models will revolutionize our understanding of the observed particle acceleration and transport in the solar corona.
Based on this approach, the project represents a gateway between the fusion, astrophysics and space communities opening new avenues for a common basic understanding.
Summary
Wave-particle interactions are ubiquitous in nature and play a fundamental role in astrophysical and fusion plasmas. In solar plasmas, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluctuations are thought to be responsible for the heating of the solar corona and the generation of the solar wind. In magnetically confined fusion (MCF) devices, enhanced particle transport induced by MHD fluctuations can deteriorate the plasma confinement, and also endanger the device integrity. MCF devices are an ideal testbed to verify current models and develop mitigation / protection techniques.
The proposed project paves the way for providing active control techniques to tame the MHD induced particle transport in a fusion plasma. A solid understanding of the interaction between energetic particles and MHD instabilities in the presence of electric fields and plasma currents is required to develop such techniques. I will pursue this goal through innovative diagnosis techniques with unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution. Combined with state-of-the-art hybrid MHD codes, a deep insight into the underlying physics mechanism will be gained. The outcome of this research project will have a major impact for next-step MCF devices as I will provide ground-breaking control techniques for mitigating MHD induced particle transport in magnetized plasmas.
The project consists of 3 research lines which follow a bottom-up approach:
(1) Cutting-edge instrumentation, aiming at the new generation of energetic particle and edge current diagnostics.
(2) Unravel the dynamics of energetic particles, electric fields, edge currents and MHD fluctuations.
(3) From lab to space weather: The developed models will revolutionize our understanding of the observed particle acceleration and transport in the solar corona.
Based on this approach, the project represents a gateway between the fusion, astrophysics and space communities opening new avenues for a common basic understanding.
Max ERC Funding
1 512 250 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-05-01, End date: 2024-04-30
Project acronym 3D-FNPWriting
Project Unprecedented spatial control of porosity and functionality in nanoporous membranes through 3D printing and microscopy for polymer writing
Researcher (PI) Annette ANDRIEU-BRUNSEN
Host Institution (HI) TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DARMSTADT
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2018-STG
Summary Membranes are key materials in our life. Nature offers high performance membranes relying on a parallel local regulation of nanopore structure, functional placement, membrane composition and architecture. Existing technological membranes are key materials in separation, recycling, sensing, energy conversion, being essential components for a sustainable future. But their performance is far away from their natural counterparts. One reason for this performance gap is the lack of 3D nanolocal control in membrane design. This applies to each individual nanopore but as well to the membrane architecture. This proposal aims to implement 3D printing (additive manufacturing, top down) and complex near-field and total internal reflection (TIR) high resolution microscopy induced polymer writing (bottom up) to nanolocally control in hierarchical nanoporous membranes spatially and independent of each other: porosity, pore functionalization, membrane architecture, composition. This disruptive technology platform will make accessible to date unachieved, highly accurate asymmetric nanopores and multifunctional, hierarchical membrane architecture/ composition and thus highly selective, directed, transport with tuneable rates. 3D-FNPWriting will demonstrate this for the increasing class of metal nanoparticle/ salt pollutants aiming for tuneable, selective, directed transport based monitoring and recycling instead of size-based filtration, accumulation into sewerage and distribution into nature. Specifically, the potential of this disruptive technology with respect to transport design will be demonstrated for a) a 3D-printed in-situ functionalized nanoporous fiber architecture and b) a printed, nanolocally near-field and TIR-microscopy polymer functionalized membrane representing a thin separation layer. This will open systematic understanding of nanolocal functional control on transport and new perspectives in water/ energy management for future smart industry/ homes.
Summary
Membranes are key materials in our life. Nature offers high performance membranes relying on a parallel local regulation of nanopore structure, functional placement, membrane composition and architecture. Existing technological membranes are key materials in separation, recycling, sensing, energy conversion, being essential components for a sustainable future. But their performance is far away from their natural counterparts. One reason for this performance gap is the lack of 3D nanolocal control in membrane design. This applies to each individual nanopore but as well to the membrane architecture. This proposal aims to implement 3D printing (additive manufacturing, top down) and complex near-field and total internal reflection (TIR) high resolution microscopy induced polymer writing (bottom up) to nanolocally control in hierarchical nanoporous membranes spatially and independent of each other: porosity, pore functionalization, membrane architecture, composition. This disruptive technology platform will make accessible to date unachieved, highly accurate asymmetric nanopores and multifunctional, hierarchical membrane architecture/ composition and thus highly selective, directed, transport with tuneable rates. 3D-FNPWriting will demonstrate this for the increasing class of metal nanoparticle/ salt pollutants aiming for tuneable, selective, directed transport based monitoring and recycling instead of size-based filtration, accumulation into sewerage and distribution into nature. Specifically, the potential of this disruptive technology with respect to transport design will be demonstrated for a) a 3D-printed in-situ functionalized nanoporous fiber architecture and b) a printed, nanolocally near-field and TIR-microscopy polymer functionalized membrane representing a thin separation layer. This will open systematic understanding of nanolocal functional control on transport and new perspectives in water/ energy management for future smart industry/ homes.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 844 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-04-01, End date: 2024-03-31
