Project acronym ATMNUCLE
Project Atmospheric nucleation: from molecular to global scale
Researcher (PI) Markku Tapio Kulmala
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Atmospheric aerosol particles and trace gases affect the quality of our life in many ways (e.g. health effects, changes in climate and hydrological cycle). Trace gases and atmospheric aerosols are tightly connected via physical, chemical, meteorological and biological processes occurring in the atmosphere and at the atmosphere-biosphere interface. One important phenomenon is atmospheric aerosol formation, which involves the production of nanometer-size particles by nucleation and their growth to detectable sizes. The main scientific objectives of this project are 1) to quantify the mechanisms responsible for atmospheric new particle formation and 2) to find out how important this process is for the behaviour of the global aerosol system and, ultimately, for the whole climate system. Our scientific plan is designed as a research chain that aims to advance our understanding of climate and air quality through a series of connected activities. We start from molecular simulations and laboratory measurements to understand nucleation and aerosol thermodynamic processes. We measure nanoparticles and atmospheric clusters at 15-20 sites all around the world using state of the art instrumentation and study feedbacks and interactions between climate and biosphere. With these atmospheric boundary layer studies we form a link to regional-scale processes and further to global-scale phenomena. In order to be able to simulate global climate and air quality, the most recent progress on this chain of processes must be compiled, integrated and implemented in Climate Change and Air Quality numerical models via novel parameterizations.
Summary
Atmospheric aerosol particles and trace gases affect the quality of our life in many ways (e.g. health effects, changes in climate and hydrological cycle). Trace gases and atmospheric aerosols are tightly connected via physical, chemical, meteorological and biological processes occurring in the atmosphere and at the atmosphere-biosphere interface. One important phenomenon is atmospheric aerosol formation, which involves the production of nanometer-size particles by nucleation and their growth to detectable sizes. The main scientific objectives of this project are 1) to quantify the mechanisms responsible for atmospheric new particle formation and 2) to find out how important this process is for the behaviour of the global aerosol system and, ultimately, for the whole climate system. Our scientific plan is designed as a research chain that aims to advance our understanding of climate and air quality through a series of connected activities. We start from molecular simulations and laboratory measurements to understand nucleation and aerosol thermodynamic processes. We measure nanoparticles and atmospheric clusters at 15-20 sites all around the world using state of the art instrumentation and study feedbacks and interactions between climate and biosphere. With these atmospheric boundary layer studies we form a link to regional-scale processes and further to global-scale phenomena. In order to be able to simulate global climate and air quality, the most recent progress on this chain of processes must be compiled, integrated and implemented in Climate Change and Air Quality numerical models via novel parameterizations.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym BIDECASEOX
Project Bio-inspired Design of Catalysts for Selective Oxidations of C-H and C=C Bonds
Researcher (PI) Miguel Costas Salgueiro
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT DE GIRONA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2009-StG
Summary The selective functionalization of C-H and C=C bonds remains a formidable unsolved problem, owing to their inert nature. Novel alkane and alkene oxidation reactions exhibiting good and/or unprecedented selectivities will have a big impact on bulk and fine chemistry by opening novel methodologies that will allow removal of protection-deprotection sequences, thus streamlining synthetic strategies. These goals are targeted in this project via design of iron and manganese catalysts inspired by structural elements of the active site of non-heme enzymes of the Rieske Dioxygenase family. Selectivity is pursued via rational design of catalysts that will exploit substrate recognition-exclusion phenomena, and control over proton and electron affinity of the active species. Moreover, these catalysts will employ H2O2 as oxidant, and will operate under mild conditions (pressure and temperature). The fundamental mechanistic aspects of the catalytic reactions, and the species implicated in C-H and C=C oxidation events will also be studied with the aim of building on the necessary knowledge to design future generations of catalysts, and provide models to understand the chemistry taking place in non-heme iron and manganese-dependent oxygenases.
Summary
The selective functionalization of C-H and C=C bonds remains a formidable unsolved problem, owing to their inert nature. Novel alkane and alkene oxidation reactions exhibiting good and/or unprecedented selectivities will have a big impact on bulk and fine chemistry by opening novel methodologies that will allow removal of protection-deprotection sequences, thus streamlining synthetic strategies. These goals are targeted in this project via design of iron and manganese catalysts inspired by structural elements of the active site of non-heme enzymes of the Rieske Dioxygenase family. Selectivity is pursued via rational design of catalysts that will exploit substrate recognition-exclusion phenomena, and control over proton and electron affinity of the active species. Moreover, these catalysts will employ H2O2 as oxidant, and will operate under mild conditions (pressure and temperature). The fundamental mechanistic aspects of the catalytic reactions, and the species implicated in C-H and C=C oxidation events will also be studied with the aim of building on the necessary knowledge to design future generations of catalysts, and provide models to understand the chemistry taking place in non-heme iron and manganese-dependent oxygenases.
Max ERC Funding
1 299 998 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-11-01, End date: 2015-10-31
Project acronym CANCER&AGEING
Project COMMOM MECHANISMS UNDERLYING CANCER AND AGEING
Researcher (PI) Manuel Serrano
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACION CENTRO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIONES ONCOLOGICAS CARLOS III
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS1, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary "In recent years, we have made significant contributions to the understanding of the tumour suppressors p53, p16INK4a, and ARF, particularly in relation with cellular senescence and aging. The current project is motivated by two hypothesis: 1) that the INK4/ARF locus is a sensor of epigenetic damage and this is at the basis of its activation by oncogenes and aging; and, 2) that the accumulation of cellular damage and stress is at the basis of both cancer and aging, and consequently ""anti-damage genes"", such as tumour suppressors, simultaneously counteract both cancer and aging. With regard to the INK4/ARF locus, the project includes: 1.1) the generation of null mice for the Regulatory Domain (RD) thought to be essential for the proper regulation of the locus; 1.2) the study of the INK4/ARF anti-sense transcription and its importance for the assembly of Polycomb repressive complexes; 1.3) the generation of mice carrying the human INK4/ARF locus to analyze, among other aspects, whether the known differences between the human and murine loci are ""locus autonomous""; and, 1.4) to analyze the INK4/ARF locus in the process of epigenetic reprogramming both from ES cells to differentiated cells and, conversely, from differentiated cells to induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. With regard to the impact of ""anti-damage genes"" on cancer and aging, the project includes: 2.1) the analysis of the aging of super-INK4/ARF mice and super-p53 mice; 2.2) we have generated super-PTEN mice and we will examine whether PTEN not only confers cancer resistance but also anti-aging activity; and, finally, 2.3) we have generated super-SIRT1 mice, which is among the best-characterized anti-aging genes in non-mammalian model systems (where it is named Sir2) involved in protection from metabolic damage, and we will study the cancer and aging of these mice. Together, this project will significantly advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and aging."
Summary
"In recent years, we have made significant contributions to the understanding of the tumour suppressors p53, p16INK4a, and ARF, particularly in relation with cellular senescence and aging. The current project is motivated by two hypothesis: 1) that the INK4/ARF locus is a sensor of epigenetic damage and this is at the basis of its activation by oncogenes and aging; and, 2) that the accumulation of cellular damage and stress is at the basis of both cancer and aging, and consequently ""anti-damage genes"", such as tumour suppressors, simultaneously counteract both cancer and aging. With regard to the INK4/ARF locus, the project includes: 1.1) the generation of null mice for the Regulatory Domain (RD) thought to be essential for the proper regulation of the locus; 1.2) the study of the INK4/ARF anti-sense transcription and its importance for the assembly of Polycomb repressive complexes; 1.3) the generation of mice carrying the human INK4/ARF locus to analyze, among other aspects, whether the known differences between the human and murine loci are ""locus autonomous""; and, 1.4) to analyze the INK4/ARF locus in the process of epigenetic reprogramming both from ES cells to differentiated cells and, conversely, from differentiated cells to induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. With regard to the impact of ""anti-damage genes"" on cancer and aging, the project includes: 2.1) the analysis of the aging of super-INK4/ARF mice and super-p53 mice; 2.2) we have generated super-PTEN mice and we will examine whether PTEN not only confers cancer resistance but also anti-aging activity; and, finally, 2.3) we have generated super-SIRT1 mice, which is among the best-characterized anti-aging genes in non-mammalian model systems (where it is named Sir2) involved in protection from metabolic damage, and we will study the cancer and aging of these mice. Together, this project will significantly advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and aging."
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-04-01, End date: 2015-03-31
Project acronym HEATTRONICS
Project Mesoscopic heattronics: thermal and nonequilibrium effects and fluctuations in nanoelectronics
Researcher (PI) Tero Tapio Heikkilä
Host Institution (HI) JYVASKYLAN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2009-StG
Summary Few systems in nature are entirely in equilibrium. Out of equilibrium, there are heat currents, and different degrees of freedom or parts of studied systems may be described by entirely different temperatures if the concept of temperature is at all well defined. In this project we will study the emergence of the subsystem temperatures in different types of small electronic systems, and the physical phenomena associated with those temperatures. Our emphasis is on the mesoscopic effects, residing between the microscopic world of individual atoms and electrons, and the macroscopic everyday world. In particular, we will research thermometry methods, different types of relaxation, magnitudes of fluctuations and effects at high frequencies. We will explore these effects in a wide variety of systems: normal metals and superconductors, carbon nanostructures, nanoelectromechanical and spintronic systems. Besides contributing to the understanding of the fundamental properties of electronic systems, our studies are directly relevant for the development of thermal sensors and electron refrigerators. The improved understanding of the thermal phenomena will also benefit the study of almost any type of a nonlinear phenomenon in electronics, for example the research of solid-state realizations of quantum computing or the race towards quantum limited mass and force detection.
Summary
Few systems in nature are entirely in equilibrium. Out of equilibrium, there are heat currents, and different degrees of freedom or parts of studied systems may be described by entirely different temperatures if the concept of temperature is at all well defined. In this project we will study the emergence of the subsystem temperatures in different types of small electronic systems, and the physical phenomena associated with those temperatures. Our emphasis is on the mesoscopic effects, residing between the microscopic world of individual atoms and electrons, and the macroscopic everyday world. In particular, we will research thermometry methods, different types of relaxation, magnitudes of fluctuations and effects at high frequencies. We will explore these effects in a wide variety of systems: normal metals and superconductors, carbon nanostructures, nanoelectromechanical and spintronic systems. Besides contributing to the understanding of the fundamental properties of electronic systems, our studies are directly relevant for the development of thermal sensors and electron refrigerators. The improved understanding of the thermal phenomena will also benefit the study of almost any type of a nonlinear phenomenon in electronics, for example the research of solid-state realizations of quantum computing or the race towards quantum limited mass and force detection.
Max ERC Funding
1 322 371 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-01-01, End date: 2015-12-31
Project acronym MPOES
Project Mathematical Physics of Out-of-Equilibrium Systems
Researcher (PI) Antti Jukka Kupiainen
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE1, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The purpose of the project is to develop new tools for a mathematical analysis of out of equilibrium systems. My main goal is a rigorous proof of Fourier's law for a Hamiltonian dynamical system. In addition I plan to study various fundamental problems related to transport in such systems. I will consider extended dynamical systems consisting of a large number (possibly infinite) of subsystems that are coupled to each other. This set includes discrete and continuous wave equations, non-linear Schrödinger equation and coupled chaotic systems. I believe mathematical progress can be made in two cases: weakly nonlinear systems and strongly chaotic ones. In the former class I propose to study the kinetic limit and corrections to it, anomalous conductivity in low dimensional systems, interplay of disorder and nonlinearity and weak turbulence. In the latter class my goal is to prove Fourier's law. The methods will involve a map of the Hamiltonian problem to a probabilistic one dealing with random walk in a random environment and an application of rigorous renormalization group to study the latter. I believe the time is ripe for a breakthrough in a rigorous analysis of transport in systems with conservation laws. A proof of Fourier's law would be a major development in mathematical physics and would remove blocks from progress in other fundamental issues of non equilibrium dynamics. I have previously solved hard problems using the methods proposed in this proposal and feel myself to be in a good position to carry out its goals.
Summary
The purpose of the project is to develop new tools for a mathematical analysis of out of equilibrium systems. My main goal is a rigorous proof of Fourier's law for a Hamiltonian dynamical system. In addition I plan to study various fundamental problems related to transport in such systems. I will consider extended dynamical systems consisting of a large number (possibly infinite) of subsystems that are coupled to each other. This set includes discrete and continuous wave equations, non-linear Schrödinger equation and coupled chaotic systems. I believe mathematical progress can be made in two cases: weakly nonlinear systems and strongly chaotic ones. In the former class I propose to study the kinetic limit and corrections to it, anomalous conductivity in low dimensional systems, interplay of disorder and nonlinearity and weak turbulence. In the latter class my goal is to prove Fourier's law. The methods will involve a map of the Hamiltonian problem to a probabilistic one dealing with random walk in a random environment and an application of rigorous renormalization group to study the latter. I believe the time is ripe for a breakthrough in a rigorous analysis of transport in systems with conservation laws. A proof of Fourier's law would be a major development in mathematical physics and would remove blocks from progress in other fundamental issues of non equilibrium dynamics. I have previously solved hard problems using the methods proposed in this proposal and feel myself to be in a good position to carry out its goals.
Max ERC Funding
1 293 687 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-03-01, End date: 2014-02-28
Project acronym NANO-TEC
Project Nano-engineered high performance Thermoelectric Energy Conversion devices
Researcher (PI) Maria De La Soledad Martin-Gonzalez
Host Institution (HI) AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2009-StG
Summary Providing a sustainable supply of energy to the world s population will become a major societal problem for the 21st century. Thermoelectric materials, whose combination of thermal, electrical, and semiconducting properties, allows them to convert waste heat into electricity, are expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting the energy challenge of the future. Recent work on the theory of thermoelectric devices has led to the expectation that their performance could be enhanced if the diameter of the wires could be reduced to a point where quantum confinement effects increase charge-carrier mobility (thereby increasing the Seebeck coefficient) and reduce thermal conductivity. The predicted net effect of reducing diameters to the order of tens of nanometres would be to increase its efficiency or ZT index by a factor of 3. The objective of this five year proposal is to investigate and optimise the fabrication parameters influencing ZT in order to achieve a power conversion efficiency of >20%. For that, low dimensional nanowires arrays of state of art n and p-type materials will be prepared by cost-effective mass-production electrochemical methods. In order to obtained devices with a ZT >2 for application in energy scavenging and as cooler/heating devices, three approaches will be followed: a) determination of the best materials for each temperature range (n and p type) optimizing composition, microstructure, shapes (core/shell, nanowire surface texture, heterostructures), interfaces and orientations, b) advanced characterization, device development and modeling will be used iteratively during nanostructures and materials optimization, and c) nano-engineering less conventional thermoelectric like cage compounds by electrodeposition methods. This proposal aims to generate a cutting edge project in the thermoelectric field and, if successful, a more efficient way to harness precious, but nowadays wasted energy.
Summary
Providing a sustainable supply of energy to the world s population will become a major societal problem for the 21st century. Thermoelectric materials, whose combination of thermal, electrical, and semiconducting properties, allows them to convert waste heat into electricity, are expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting the energy challenge of the future. Recent work on the theory of thermoelectric devices has led to the expectation that their performance could be enhanced if the diameter of the wires could be reduced to a point where quantum confinement effects increase charge-carrier mobility (thereby increasing the Seebeck coefficient) and reduce thermal conductivity. The predicted net effect of reducing diameters to the order of tens of nanometres would be to increase its efficiency or ZT index by a factor of 3. The objective of this five year proposal is to investigate and optimise the fabrication parameters influencing ZT in order to achieve a power conversion efficiency of >20%. For that, low dimensional nanowires arrays of state of art n and p-type materials will be prepared by cost-effective mass-production electrochemical methods. In order to obtained devices with a ZT >2 for application in energy scavenging and as cooler/heating devices, three approaches will be followed: a) determination of the best materials for each temperature range (n and p type) optimizing composition, microstructure, shapes (core/shell, nanowire surface texture, heterostructures), interfaces and orientations, b) advanced characterization, device development and modeling will be used iteratively during nanostructures and materials optimization, and c) nano-engineering less conventional thermoelectric like cage compounds by electrodeposition methods. This proposal aims to generate a cutting edge project in the thermoelectric field and, if successful, a more efficient way to harness precious, but nowadays wasted energy.
Max ERC Funding
1 228 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-03-01, End date: 2016-02-29
Project acronym NANOANTENNAS
Project Nano-Optical Antennas for Tuneable Single Photon Super-Emitters
Researcher (PI) Niko Frans Van Hulst
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2009-AdG
Summary Nano-optical antennas allow to confine light on a truly nanometer scale. Indeed, my group recently demonstrated efficient funneling of incident far field to antenna hotspots, i.e. nano-focusing down to 25 nm, and achieved for the first time steering of the angular photon emission of a single molecule. These pioneering results on close encounters between nano-antennas and photon emitters pave the way to a regime of new physical phenomena: super-emission, gradient effects, breakdown of the dipole approximation, near-field spectra, single photon beaming, quantized plasmons and potentially strong coupling. These are exactly the novel effects I plan to explore. Specific objectives are: - Nano-optical control: positioning of single photon emitters at antenna hotspots with < 10 nm accuracy by top-down fabrication, optical forces and chemical recognition. - Super-emission-focusing: boosting of emission to ps Rabi periods and unity quantum efficiency by resonant coupling to the nano-antenna. Photons will be beamed in an antenna dominated angular cone, which in reciprocity acts as the acceptance cone for super-focusing. - Coherent antenna control: by shaping the phase content of broad band fs pulses and tuning the antenna load by optically active materials, I will control nanoscale fields, both in the temporal and spatial domain. - Quantized plasmons: by coupling single photon emitters across a nano-antenna I will explore strong coupling and uncover the quantum nature of plasmons. This research aims for a profound understanding of the fundamental limits of optical control at the nanoscale. The new tuneable photon super-emitters and nano-hot-spots open several new horizons: controlled single photon sources for quantum-information; light harvesting; energy conversion; efficient bio-sensors; optical imaging with 10 nm resolution.
Summary
Nano-optical antennas allow to confine light on a truly nanometer scale. Indeed, my group recently demonstrated efficient funneling of incident far field to antenna hotspots, i.e. nano-focusing down to 25 nm, and achieved for the first time steering of the angular photon emission of a single molecule. These pioneering results on close encounters between nano-antennas and photon emitters pave the way to a regime of new physical phenomena: super-emission, gradient effects, breakdown of the dipole approximation, near-field spectra, single photon beaming, quantized plasmons and potentially strong coupling. These are exactly the novel effects I plan to explore. Specific objectives are: - Nano-optical control: positioning of single photon emitters at antenna hotspots with < 10 nm accuracy by top-down fabrication, optical forces and chemical recognition. - Super-emission-focusing: boosting of emission to ps Rabi periods and unity quantum efficiency by resonant coupling to the nano-antenna. Photons will be beamed in an antenna dominated angular cone, which in reciprocity acts as the acceptance cone for super-focusing. - Coherent antenna control: by shaping the phase content of broad band fs pulses and tuning the antenna load by optically active materials, I will control nanoscale fields, both in the temporal and spatial domain. - Quantized plasmons: by coupling single photon emitters across a nano-antenna I will explore strong coupling and uncover the quantum nature of plasmons. This research aims for a profound understanding of the fundamental limits of optical control at the nanoscale. The new tuneable photon super-emitters and nano-hot-spots open several new horizons: controlled single photon sources for quantum-information; light harvesting; energy conversion; efficient bio-sensors; optical imaging with 10 nm resolution.
Max ERC Funding
2 499 600 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-03-01, End date: 2015-08-31
Project acronym NANOPUZZLE
Project Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles: Towards Smart Drugs Design
Researcher (PI) Jesús Martínez De La Fuente
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2009-StG
Summary Nature has been utilizing nanostructures for billion of years. The following two properties, (i) being about the size of typical biological objects and (ii) the possibility of tailoring their properties by changing their size, make nanoparticles attractive for biomedical applications. Using nanoparticles to deliver drugs to tumours offers an attractive possibility to avoid obstacles that occur during conventional systemic drug administration. This NANOPUZZLE project pretends to develop an innovative controlled release methodology, based on hyperthermia and magnetic nanoparticles, as platform for the incorporation of different molecules with different functionalities, to obtain a multifunctional system for cancer treatment and diagnose that leads antitumoral drugs discharge only in the tumoral area. Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles loaded with a targeting agent (folic acid) and a potent antitumoral drug (doxorubicin) will be prepared. These active molecules will be coupled to the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) due to complementary oligonucleotides strands (oligo-zipper). Due to the magnetic properties of these nanomaterials, a local heating induced by an alternating magnetic field, will release the drug in the desired target as a consequence of the DNA denaturation (oligo-unzipping). For this approach, the increase of temperature is only required directly in the nanoparticles and the heating of the surroundings is not needed. For instance, less quantity of nanoparticles and a weaker external magnetic field will be required, avoiding the main inconveniences of conventional hyperthermia treatments. Furthermore, the superparamagnetic properties of these MNPs will also allow their use as contrast agents for tracking and diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Summary
Nature has been utilizing nanostructures for billion of years. The following two properties, (i) being about the size of typical biological objects and (ii) the possibility of tailoring their properties by changing their size, make nanoparticles attractive for biomedical applications. Using nanoparticles to deliver drugs to tumours offers an attractive possibility to avoid obstacles that occur during conventional systemic drug administration. This NANOPUZZLE project pretends to develop an innovative controlled release methodology, based on hyperthermia and magnetic nanoparticles, as platform for the incorporation of different molecules with different functionalities, to obtain a multifunctional system for cancer treatment and diagnose that leads antitumoral drugs discharge only in the tumoral area. Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles loaded with a targeting agent (folic acid) and a potent antitumoral drug (doxorubicin) will be prepared. These active molecules will be coupled to the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) due to complementary oligonucleotides strands (oligo-zipper). Due to the magnetic properties of these nanomaterials, a local heating induced by an alternating magnetic field, will release the drug in the desired target as a consequence of the DNA denaturation (oligo-unzipping). For this approach, the increase of temperature is only required directly in the nanoparticles and the heating of the surroundings is not needed. For instance, less quantity of nanoparticles and a weaker external magnetic field will be required, avoiding the main inconveniences of conventional hyperthermia treatments. Furthermore, the superparamagnetic properties of these MNPs will also allow their use as contrast agents for tracking and diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Max ERC Funding
1 541 310 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-02-01, End date: 2015-12-31
Project acronym NANOSONWINGS
Project A new vision on nanocatalysts
Researcher (PI) Petrus Wilhelmus Nicolaas Maria Van Leeuwen
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO PRIVADA INSTITUT CATALA D'INVESTIGACIO QUIMICA
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2009-AdG
Summary In recent years it has been recognized that small metal nanoparticles hold the promise that their catalytic properties may be completely different from those of their bulk analogs or their monometallic complexes. Entirely new chemical conversions may be expected because of their shape and thermodynamic properties. So far, this promise has not led to important breakthroughs, as most findings can be categorized, mostly, as typical of homogeneous catalysis, or mimics of heterogeneous catalysts, especially hydrogenation. Nanoparticles need stabilizating reagents; polymers, dendrimers, ionic liquids, detergents, solid surfaces, and small ligands, have been discovered and used by trial and error. In this project we propose the use of concave, large organic molecules that will be developed and used to stabilize small nanoparticles by covering part of the vertices and apices, thereby controlling the size and the shape, leaving edges next to the molecular wings and uncovered surface available for interactions leading to catalysis. The controlling wings contain two or three strongly binding phosphines to prevent dissociation of the controlling agent and to modify, simultaneously the electronic properties of part of the metal atoms. The organic platforms have the advantage that additional groups can be connected to them which can serve as chiral modifiers, as recognition sites for larger molecules, as additional organic catalysts, or as ligands to hold a homogeneous co-catalyst. Three high-risk reactions will be investigated, (enantio)selective hydrogenation of aromatics, conversion of glycerol to high added value products and the selective conversion of syn gas by using devices derived from homogeneous and supramolecular catalysis.
Summary
In recent years it has been recognized that small metal nanoparticles hold the promise that their catalytic properties may be completely different from those of their bulk analogs or their monometallic complexes. Entirely new chemical conversions may be expected because of their shape and thermodynamic properties. So far, this promise has not led to important breakthroughs, as most findings can be categorized, mostly, as typical of homogeneous catalysis, or mimics of heterogeneous catalysts, especially hydrogenation. Nanoparticles need stabilizating reagents; polymers, dendrimers, ionic liquids, detergents, solid surfaces, and small ligands, have been discovered and used by trial and error. In this project we propose the use of concave, large organic molecules that will be developed and used to stabilize small nanoparticles by covering part of the vertices and apices, thereby controlling the size and the shape, leaving edges next to the molecular wings and uncovered surface available for interactions leading to catalysis. The controlling wings contain two or three strongly binding phosphines to prevent dissociation of the controlling agent and to modify, simultaneously the electronic properties of part of the metal atoms. The organic platforms have the advantage that additional groups can be connected to them which can serve as chiral modifiers, as recognition sites for larger molecules, as additional organic catalysts, or as ligands to hold a homogeneous co-catalyst. Three high-risk reactions will be investigated, (enantio)selective hydrogenation of aromatics, conversion of glycerol to high added value products and the selective conversion of syn gas by using devices derived from homogeneous and supramolecular catalysis.
Max ERC Funding
3 495 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-04-01, End date: 2015-03-31
Project acronym NEMSQED
Project Electromechanical quantum coherent systems
Researcher (PI) Mika Antero Sillanpää
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2009-StG
Summary At a low temperature, nearly macroscopic quantum states can be sustained in superconducting (SC) Josephson junctions. Recently, these superconducting qubits have been coupled to electromagnetic resonators, in a manner analogous to cavity Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED) which describes the interaction between atoms and quantized oscillation modes in the quantum limit. On the other hand, there is yet no experimental evidence of a mode of a mechanical oscillator, such as that of a miniaturized vibrating string, to be chilled down to its quantum ground state. The main part of the proposal involves the use the coupling of Nanomechanical Resonators (NR) to SC qubits employed as artificial atoms in order to address the quantum-classical interface in mechanical motion. Similarly as the SC qubit can exchange quanta with electrical oscillators, it can, in principle, communicate with mechanical modes. The research will begin with demonstrating this kind of electromechanical interaction. In order to tackle experimental surprises, I plan on launching two parallel paths, one with a charge qubit, the other using a phase qubit. The formidable main goal is to experimentally reach the quantum ground state of a mechanical mode. I will investigate the following routes: Make a 1 GHz frequency NR, corresponding to 50 mK, which will reach the ground state at accessible temperatures. On the other hand, I propose to side-band cool a lower-frequency NR via the attached SC qubit. Near the quantum limit, I will start taking advantage of the NR as a building block of electromechanical quantum information. I also propose to push the QED setup of SC qubits coupled to electrical cavities towards more and more complicated states in order to test quantum mechanics in the nearly classical limit.
Summary
At a low temperature, nearly macroscopic quantum states can be sustained in superconducting (SC) Josephson junctions. Recently, these superconducting qubits have been coupled to electromagnetic resonators, in a manner analogous to cavity Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED) which describes the interaction between atoms and quantized oscillation modes in the quantum limit. On the other hand, there is yet no experimental evidence of a mode of a mechanical oscillator, such as that of a miniaturized vibrating string, to be chilled down to its quantum ground state. The main part of the proposal involves the use the coupling of Nanomechanical Resonators (NR) to SC qubits employed as artificial atoms in order to address the quantum-classical interface in mechanical motion. Similarly as the SC qubit can exchange quanta with electrical oscillators, it can, in principle, communicate with mechanical modes. The research will begin with demonstrating this kind of electromechanical interaction. In order to tackle experimental surprises, I plan on launching two parallel paths, one with a charge qubit, the other using a phase qubit. The formidable main goal is to experimentally reach the quantum ground state of a mechanical mode. I will investigate the following routes: Make a 1 GHz frequency NR, corresponding to 50 mK, which will reach the ground state at accessible temperatures. On the other hand, I propose to side-band cool a lower-frequency NR via the attached SC qubit. Near the quantum limit, I will start taking advantage of the NR as a building block of electromechanical quantum information. I also propose to push the QED setup of SC qubits coupled to electrical cavities towards more and more complicated states in order to test quantum mechanics in the nearly classical limit.
Max ERC Funding
1 373 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-01-01, End date: 2014-12-31
