Project acronym MASTER
Project Mastering the Computational Challenges in Numerical Modeling and Optimum Design of CNT Reinforced Composites
Researcher (PI) Emmanouil (Manolis) Papadrakakis
Host Institution (HI) NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS - NTUA
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary The innovative and challenging objective of the MASTER project is the numerical modeling and optimum design of complex carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced composite morphologies, via a novel and computationally efficient molecular mechanics-based, multiscale stochastic numerical simulation approach, in conjunction with a robust optimization methodology. The rationale of the project is to propose a generic approach for an accurate numerical modeling, efficient analysis and robust design considering uncertainties, of high performance CNT-reinforced composites, in terms of mechanical and damping properties, which could have far reaching implications in the design of current as well as future nano-scale reinforced composites. The above undertaking is confronted with the excessive computational effort required to achieve the proposed objective. This computational effort will be mastered with highly efficient multiscale simulation approaches, innovative numerical solution methods, metaheuristic optimization algorithms, soft computing tools and the exploitation of the recent advances in high performance computing technology. The project has a multidisciplinary dimension by combining various scientific fields such as: molecular mechanics; continuum mechanics; stochastic mechanics; optimization; numerical analysis; soft computing; nanotechnology; material science and computer technology. The achievements of this project are expected to significantly enhance our knowledge on the analysis and design of nanocomposites beyond the current state of the art.
Summary
The innovative and challenging objective of the MASTER project is the numerical modeling and optimum design of complex carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced composite morphologies, via a novel and computationally efficient molecular mechanics-based, multiscale stochastic numerical simulation approach, in conjunction with a robust optimization methodology. The rationale of the project is to propose a generic approach for an accurate numerical modeling, efficient analysis and robust design considering uncertainties, of high performance CNT-reinforced composites, in terms of mechanical and damping properties, which could have far reaching implications in the design of current as well as future nano-scale reinforced composites. The above undertaking is confronted with the excessive computational effort required to achieve the proposed objective. This computational effort will be mastered with highly efficient multiscale simulation approaches, innovative numerical solution methods, metaheuristic optimization algorithms, soft computing tools and the exploitation of the recent advances in high performance computing technology. The project has a multidisciplinary dimension by combining various scientific fields such as: molecular mechanics; continuum mechanics; stochastic mechanics; optimization; numerical analysis; soft computing; nanotechnology; material science and computer technology. The achievements of this project are expected to significantly enhance our knowledge on the analysis and design of nanocomposites beyond the current state of the art.
Max ERC Funding
2 496 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-03-01, End date: 2018-02-28
Project acronym SET-NET
Project Enzymatic and genomic targets of histone modifying enzymes and their role in liver metabolism and hepatocarcinogenesis
Researcher (PI) Ioannis Talianidis
Host Institution (HI) BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH CENTER ALEXANDER FLEMING
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS4, ERC-2011-ADG_20110310
Summary "In this proposal we will study the role of histone methytransferases Set9, PR-SET7, Smyd2, Smyd3 and the demethylase LSD1 in hepatocarcinogenesis and in the regulation of hepatic metabolic pathways.
The hypothesis raised here suggests that the function of histone modifying enzymes is realized through 4 overlapping regulatory layers: i. via modifications of chromatin, ii. via modifications of recently identified transcription factor substrates, iii. via influencing the hepatic transcription factor crossregulatory circuitry, and iv. via modification of each other.
To dissect the role of these regulatory layers and determine their contribution in the control of hepatic metabolic pathways, and in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, our activities will involve: i. Generation of relevant KO and transgenic mouse models, ii. Functional characterization of novel non-histone and histone substrates, iii. Analysis of novel cross-regulatory protein modifications affecting the activity of the enzymes and iv. the identification of their genomic targets and associated chromatin modifications using global approaches.
The work is expected to provide important insights into a previously unanticipated network of protein methylation-directed regulatory modules, potentially operating in multiple biological pathways such as liver development, metabolism, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. The functioning of such network would be of high biological importance, with far-reaching implications in drug development, rivaling those of phosphorylation or acetylation regulated processes."
Summary
"In this proposal we will study the role of histone methytransferases Set9, PR-SET7, Smyd2, Smyd3 and the demethylase LSD1 in hepatocarcinogenesis and in the regulation of hepatic metabolic pathways.
The hypothesis raised here suggests that the function of histone modifying enzymes is realized through 4 overlapping regulatory layers: i. via modifications of chromatin, ii. via modifications of recently identified transcription factor substrates, iii. via influencing the hepatic transcription factor crossregulatory circuitry, and iv. via modification of each other.
To dissect the role of these regulatory layers and determine their contribution in the control of hepatic metabolic pathways, and in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, our activities will involve: i. Generation of relevant KO and transgenic mouse models, ii. Functional characterization of novel non-histone and histone substrates, iii. Analysis of novel cross-regulatory protein modifications affecting the activity of the enzymes and iv. the identification of their genomic targets and associated chromatin modifications using global approaches.
The work is expected to provide important insights into a previously unanticipated network of protein methylation-directed regulatory modules, potentially operating in multiple biological pathways such as liver development, metabolism, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. The functioning of such network would be of high biological importance, with far-reaching implications in drug development, rivaling those of phosphorylation or acetylation regulated processes."
Max ERC Funding
2 499 600 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2016-12-31
Project acronym SOMEF
Project Critical State Soil Mechanics Revisited: Fabric Effects
Researcher (PI) Ioannis Dafalias
Host Institution (HI) NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS - NTUA
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary The theory of Critical State Soil Mechanics (CSSM) has become a paradigm within the framework of which elastoplastic soil constitutive models have been developed for the last 50 years. The present project will constructively challenge this paradigm from a missing fundamental perspective, namely the effect of soil fabric on the premises of CSSM.
The current CSSM postulates that at critical state the stress and void ratios reach critical values with no reference to orientational aspects of the soil fabric, such as particles long axes, contact normals or void vectors statistical orientations. Thus, several soil mechanical response characteristics associated with fabric anisotropy cannot be adequately or even correctly described within the existing theory. The hypothesis that an evolving soil fabric tensor must also acquire a critical value for critical state to occur will be investigated by theoretical, numerical and experimental means, including continuum and discrete elements methods (DEM) of analysis for cohesive and cohesionless soils, X-ray Computed Tomography studies on real soil samples, and triaxial, biaxial and hollow cylinder experiments. The results of this investigation will be used to propose a new enhanced CSSM theory with fabric playing a distinct role. Particular tasks will include the derivation of an objective rate equation of evolution of the fabric tensor, the formulation of classes of constitutive models for sands and clays within the new fabric-enhanced framework of CSSM, and the Finite Elements analysis of selected geomechanics boundary value problems illustrating the effect of soil fabric by comparing the results with and without fabric effects.
Successful completion of this project will change the way Soil Mechanics is taught at Universities and applied in advanced analysis of geomechanics problems, a field of increasing social impact in regards to hazard mitigations related to earthquakes and landslides.
Summary
The theory of Critical State Soil Mechanics (CSSM) has become a paradigm within the framework of which elastoplastic soil constitutive models have been developed for the last 50 years. The present project will constructively challenge this paradigm from a missing fundamental perspective, namely the effect of soil fabric on the premises of CSSM.
The current CSSM postulates that at critical state the stress and void ratios reach critical values with no reference to orientational aspects of the soil fabric, such as particles long axes, contact normals or void vectors statistical orientations. Thus, several soil mechanical response characteristics associated with fabric anisotropy cannot be adequately or even correctly described within the existing theory. The hypothesis that an evolving soil fabric tensor must also acquire a critical value for critical state to occur will be investigated by theoretical, numerical and experimental means, including continuum and discrete elements methods (DEM) of analysis for cohesive and cohesionless soils, X-ray Computed Tomography studies on real soil samples, and triaxial, biaxial and hollow cylinder experiments. The results of this investigation will be used to propose a new enhanced CSSM theory with fabric playing a distinct role. Particular tasks will include the derivation of an objective rate equation of evolution of the fabric tensor, the formulation of classes of constitutive models for sands and clays within the new fabric-enhanced framework of CSSM, and the Finite Elements analysis of selected geomechanics boundary value problems illustrating the effect of soil fabric by comparing the results with and without fabric effects.
Successful completion of this project will change the way Soil Mechanics is taught at Universities and applied in advanced analysis of geomechanics problems, a field of increasing social impact in regards to hazard mitigations related to earthquakes and landslides.
Max ERC Funding
1 924 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-03-01, End date: 2018-02-28
Project acronym Tailor Graphene
Project Tailoring Graphene to Withstand Large Deformations
Researcher (PI) Constantine Galiotis
Host Institution (HI) FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2012-ADG_20120216
Summary This proposal aims via a comprehensive and interdisciplinary programme of research to determine the full response of monolayer (atomic thickness) graphene to extreme axial tensional deformation up to failure and to measure directly its tensile strength, stiffness, strain-to-failure and, most importantly, the effect of orthogonal buckling to its overall tensile properties. Already our recent results have shown that graphene buckling of any form can be suppressed by embedding the flakes into polymer matrices. We have indeed quantified this effect for any flake geometry and have produced master curves relating geometrical aspects to compression strain-to-failure. In the proposed work, we will make good use of this finding by altering the geometry of the flakes and thus design graphene strips (micro-ribbons) of specific dimensions which when embedded to polymer matrices can be stretched to large deformation and even failure without simultaneous buckling in the other direction. This is indeed the only route possible for the exploitation of the potential of graphene as an efficient reinforcement in composites. Since orthogonal buckling during stretching is expected to alter- among other things- the Dirac spectrum and consequently the electronic properties of graphene, we intend to use the technique of Raman spectroscopy to produce stress/ strain maps in two dimensions in order to quantify fully this effect from the mechanical standpoint. Finally, another option for ironing out the wrinkles is to apply a simultaneous thermal field during tensile loading. This will give rise to a biaxial stretching of graphene which presents another interesting field of study particularly for already envisaged applications of graphene in flexible displays and coatings.
Summary
This proposal aims via a comprehensive and interdisciplinary programme of research to determine the full response of monolayer (atomic thickness) graphene to extreme axial tensional deformation up to failure and to measure directly its tensile strength, stiffness, strain-to-failure and, most importantly, the effect of orthogonal buckling to its overall tensile properties. Already our recent results have shown that graphene buckling of any form can be suppressed by embedding the flakes into polymer matrices. We have indeed quantified this effect for any flake geometry and have produced master curves relating geometrical aspects to compression strain-to-failure. In the proposed work, we will make good use of this finding by altering the geometry of the flakes and thus design graphene strips (micro-ribbons) of specific dimensions which when embedded to polymer matrices can be stretched to large deformation and even failure without simultaneous buckling in the other direction. This is indeed the only route possible for the exploitation of the potential of graphene as an efficient reinforcement in composites. Since orthogonal buckling during stretching is expected to alter- among other things- the Dirac spectrum and consequently the electronic properties of graphene, we intend to use the technique of Raman spectroscopy to produce stress/ strain maps in two dimensions in order to quantify fully this effect from the mechanical standpoint. Finally, another option for ironing out the wrinkles is to apply a simultaneous thermal field during tensile loading. This will give rise to a biaxial stretching of graphene which presents another interesting field of study particularly for already envisaged applications of graphene in flexible displays and coatings.
Max ERC Funding
2 025 600 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-06-01, End date: 2018-05-31
Project acronym TRAMAN21
Project Traffic Management for the 21st Century
Researcher (PI) Markos Papageorgiou
Host Institution (HI) POLYTECHNEIO KRITIS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2012-ADG_20120216
Summary Traffic congestion on motorways is a serious threat for the economic and social life of modern societies and for the environment, which calls for drastic and radical solutions. Conventional traffic management faces limitations. During the last decade, there has been an enormous effort to develop a variety of Vehicle Automation and Communication Systems (VACS) that are expected to revolutionise the features and capabilities of individual vehicles. VACS are typically developed to benefit the individual vehicle, without a clear view for the implications, advantages and disadvantages they may have for the accordingly modified traffic characteristics. Thus, the introduction of VACS brings along the necessity and growing opportunities for adapted or utterly new traffic management.
It is the main objective of TRAMAN21 to develop the foundations and first steps that will pave the way towards a new era of motorway traffic management research and practice, which is indispensable for exploiting the evolving VACS deployment. TRAMAN21 assesses the relevance of VACS for improved traffic flow and develops specific options for a sensible upgrade of the traffic conditions, particularly at the network’s weak points, i.e. at bottlenecks and incident locations. The proposed work comprises the development of new traffic flow modelling and control approaches on the basis of appropriate methods from many-particle Physics, Automatic Control and Optimisation. A field trial is included, aiming at a preliminary testing and demonstration of the developed concepts.
TRAMAN21 risk stems from the uncertainty in the VACS evolution, which is a challenge for the required modelling and control developments. But, if successful, TRAMAN21 will contribute to a substantial reduction of the estimated annual European traffic congestion cost of 120 billion € and related environmental pollution and will trigger further innovative developments and a new era of traffic flow modelling and control research.
Summary
Traffic congestion on motorways is a serious threat for the economic and social life of modern societies and for the environment, which calls for drastic and radical solutions. Conventional traffic management faces limitations. During the last decade, there has been an enormous effort to develop a variety of Vehicle Automation and Communication Systems (VACS) that are expected to revolutionise the features and capabilities of individual vehicles. VACS are typically developed to benefit the individual vehicle, without a clear view for the implications, advantages and disadvantages they may have for the accordingly modified traffic characteristics. Thus, the introduction of VACS brings along the necessity and growing opportunities for adapted or utterly new traffic management.
It is the main objective of TRAMAN21 to develop the foundations and first steps that will pave the way towards a new era of motorway traffic management research and practice, which is indispensable for exploiting the evolving VACS deployment. TRAMAN21 assesses the relevance of VACS for improved traffic flow and develops specific options for a sensible upgrade of the traffic conditions, particularly at the network’s weak points, i.e. at bottlenecks and incident locations. The proposed work comprises the development of new traffic flow modelling and control approaches on the basis of appropriate methods from many-particle Physics, Automatic Control and Optimisation. A field trial is included, aiming at a preliminary testing and demonstration of the developed concepts.
TRAMAN21 risk stems from the uncertainty in the VACS evolution, which is a challenge for the required modelling and control developments. But, if successful, TRAMAN21 will contribute to a substantial reduction of the estimated annual European traffic congestion cost of 120 billion € and related environmental pollution and will trigger further innovative developments and a new era of traffic flow modelling and control research.
Max ERC Funding
1 496 880 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-03-01, End date: 2018-02-28
