Project acronym FIRM
Project Mathematical Methods for Financial Risk Management
Researcher (PI) Halil Mete Soner
Host Institution (HI) EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE1, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Since the pioneering works of Black & Scholes, Merton and Markowitch, sophisticated quantitative methods are being used to introduce more complex financial products each year. However, this exciting increase in the complexity forces the industry to engage in proper risk management practices. The recent financial crisis emanating from risky loan practices is a prime example of this acute need. This proposal focuses exactly on this general problem. We will develop mathematical techniques to measure and assess the financial risk of new instruments. In the theoretical direction, we will expand the scope of recent studies on risk measures of Artzner et-al., and the stochastic representation formulae proved by the principal investigator and his collaborators. The core research team consists of mathematicians and the finance faculty. The newly created state-of-the-art finance laboratory at the host institution will have direct access to financial data. Moreover, executive education that is performed in this unit enables the research group to have close contacts with high level executives of the financial industry. The theoretical side of the project focuses on nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE), backward stochastic differential equations (BSDE) and dynamic risk measures. Already a deep connection between BSDEs and dynamic risk measures is developed by Peng, Delbaen and collaborators. Also, the principal investigator and his collaborators developed connections to PDEs. In this project, we further investigate these connections. Chief goals of this project are theoretical results and computational techniques in the general areas of BSDEs, fully nonlinear PDEs, and the development of risk management practices that are acceptable by the industry. The composition of the research team and our expertise in quantitative methods, well position us to effectively formulate and study theoretical problems with financial impact.
Summary
Since the pioneering works of Black & Scholes, Merton and Markowitch, sophisticated quantitative methods are being used to introduce more complex financial products each year. However, this exciting increase in the complexity forces the industry to engage in proper risk management practices. The recent financial crisis emanating from risky loan practices is a prime example of this acute need. This proposal focuses exactly on this general problem. We will develop mathematical techniques to measure and assess the financial risk of new instruments. In the theoretical direction, we will expand the scope of recent studies on risk measures of Artzner et-al., and the stochastic representation formulae proved by the principal investigator and his collaborators. The core research team consists of mathematicians and the finance faculty. The newly created state-of-the-art finance laboratory at the host institution will have direct access to financial data. Moreover, executive education that is performed in this unit enables the research group to have close contacts with high level executives of the financial industry. The theoretical side of the project focuses on nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE), backward stochastic differential equations (BSDE) and dynamic risk measures. Already a deep connection between BSDEs and dynamic risk measures is developed by Peng, Delbaen and collaborators. Also, the principal investigator and his collaborators developed connections to PDEs. In this project, we further investigate these connections. Chief goals of this project are theoretical results and computational techniques in the general areas of BSDEs, fully nonlinear PDEs, and the development of risk management practices that are acceptable by the industry. The composition of the research team and our expertise in quantitative methods, well position us to effectively formulate and study theoretical problems with financial impact.
Max ERC Funding
880 560 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-12-01, End date: 2013-11-30
Project acronym FLYINGPOLYCOMB
Project Polycomb in development, genome regulation and cancer
Researcher (PI) Giacomo Cavalli
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS2, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) genes were discovered in Drosophila melanogaster as repressors and activators of Hox genes, a set of transcription factors that specify the antero-posterior axis of the body plan. PcG and trxG proteins form multimeric complexes that are required to maintain their expression state after the initial transcriptional regulators disappear from the embryo. Subsequent work led to a better understanding of their mechanisms of action. Moreover, PcG and trxG genes have also been identified in vertebrates, where they regulate Hox genes, they are involved in cell proliferation, stem cell identity and cancer, genomic imprinting in plants and mammals and X inactivation. PcG and trxG components form multimeric complexes. Some trxG and PcG components possess methyltransferase activities directed toward specific lysines of histone H3, whereas other trxG and PcG proteins interpret these histone marks. Recent studies have described the genomewide distribution of PcG proteins and of their related histone modification in Drosophila and other species. However, the PcG recruitment code to their target chromatin is still not understood, and the mechanism of PcG-mediated gene silencing is unclear. The formation of subnuclear silencing compartments might contribute to the stable repression of transcription. Drosophila PcG proteins have a speckled nuclear distribution and the number of these so-called PcG bodies is progressively reduced during development. We showed that multiple PREs can associate in the nucleus to enhance the strength of PcG-mediated silencing. However, we do not know how frequent is this clustering process and how important it is functionally at a genomewide level. Our project will tackle these questions by using a combination of genetics, developmental biology, cell biology, genomics and bioinformatic approaches, with the aim to gain an integrated understanding of the role of Polycomb and trithorax in biology
Summary
Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) genes were discovered in Drosophila melanogaster as repressors and activators of Hox genes, a set of transcription factors that specify the antero-posterior axis of the body plan. PcG and trxG proteins form multimeric complexes that are required to maintain their expression state after the initial transcriptional regulators disappear from the embryo. Subsequent work led to a better understanding of their mechanisms of action. Moreover, PcG and trxG genes have also been identified in vertebrates, where they regulate Hox genes, they are involved in cell proliferation, stem cell identity and cancer, genomic imprinting in plants and mammals and X inactivation. PcG and trxG components form multimeric complexes. Some trxG and PcG components possess methyltransferase activities directed toward specific lysines of histone H3, whereas other trxG and PcG proteins interpret these histone marks. Recent studies have described the genomewide distribution of PcG proteins and of their related histone modification in Drosophila and other species. However, the PcG recruitment code to their target chromatin is still not understood, and the mechanism of PcG-mediated gene silencing is unclear. The formation of subnuclear silencing compartments might contribute to the stable repression of transcription. Drosophila PcG proteins have a speckled nuclear distribution and the number of these so-called PcG bodies is progressively reduced during development. We showed that multiple PREs can associate in the nucleus to enhance the strength of PcG-mediated silencing. However, we do not know how frequent is this clustering process and how important it is functionally at a genomewide level. Our project will tackle these questions by using a combination of genetics, developmental biology, cell biology, genomics and bioinformatic approaches, with the aim to gain an integrated understanding of the role of Polycomb and trithorax in biology
Max ERC Funding
2 200 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-09-01, End date: 2015-08-31
Project acronym FMWK 1870-2008
Project The surfaces of cement and reinforced concrete. A history of the formworks and processing of the surface, 1870-2008
Researcher (PI) Roberto Gargiani
Host Institution (HI) ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH5, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Since the nineteenth century, the reinforced concrete has been generating a vast specialized litterature everywhere in the world. However, none of it has ever tried to make a first assessment of the evolution of one of the most fundamental element in the processing of the reinforced concrete: the formwork; nor have been reconstructed the various ways of processing the surfaces after removal of the formwork in order to get special effects of polished or rustic surface. Therefore, on the subject of manufacturing of the formworks and processing of the surface, there is a true gap in the studies on reinforced concrete that the research The surfaces of cement and reinforced concrete. A history of the formworks and processing of the surface, 1870-2008 intends to fill. Whether historical or operationnal, this gap lacks not only of the context of the evolution from the nineteenth century, but also of a comprehensive outline of the recent production. The purpose of the research is to provide the most comprehensive documentation and the most significant examples of the international architectural production on the subject of formworks and concrete surfaces within the time span considered. Drawing up the outline of the various types of building and processing of the surfaces will be extraordinarily useful for the historiography of architecture, which will hence have a scientific instrument to evaluate the works in terms of connections between form and material in relation to concrete, as well as for the modern formworks in which the technicial and artistical issues of reinforced concrete processing at sight still remain fundamental. The results of the research will be collected in a book with the caracteristics of an essay, consisting of an important written part and an extremely rich iconographic documentation (project drawings, photographs of building sites and tools, etc.); it will be structured as a synthesis between the technical manual and the historical critical essay.
Summary
Since the nineteenth century, the reinforced concrete has been generating a vast specialized litterature everywhere in the world. However, none of it has ever tried to make a first assessment of the evolution of one of the most fundamental element in the processing of the reinforced concrete: the formwork; nor have been reconstructed the various ways of processing the surfaces after removal of the formwork in order to get special effects of polished or rustic surface. Therefore, on the subject of manufacturing of the formworks and processing of the surface, there is a true gap in the studies on reinforced concrete that the research The surfaces of cement and reinforced concrete. A history of the formworks and processing of the surface, 1870-2008 intends to fill. Whether historical or operationnal, this gap lacks not only of the context of the evolution from the nineteenth century, but also of a comprehensive outline of the recent production. The purpose of the research is to provide the most comprehensive documentation and the most significant examples of the international architectural production on the subject of formworks and concrete surfaces within the time span considered. Drawing up the outline of the various types of building and processing of the surfaces will be extraordinarily useful for the historiography of architecture, which will hence have a scientific instrument to evaluate the works in terms of connections between form and material in relation to concrete, as well as for the modern formworks in which the technicial and artistical issues of reinforced concrete processing at sight still remain fundamental. The results of the research will be collected in a book with the caracteristics of an essay, consisting of an important written part and an extremely rich iconographic documentation (project drawings, photographs of building sites and tools, etc.); it will be structured as a synthesis between the technical manual and the historical critical essay.
Max ERC Funding
660 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-03-01, End date: 2015-02-28
Project acronym FQHE
Project Statistics of Fractionally Charged Quasi-Particles
Researcher (PI) Mordehai (Moty) Heiblum
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect created a revolution in solid state research by introducing a new state of matter resulting from strong electron interactions. The new state is characterized by excitations (quasi-particles) that carry fractional charge, which are expected to obey fractional statistics. While odd denominator fractional states are expected to have an abelian statistics, the newly discovered 5/2 even denominator fractional state is expected to have a non-abelian statistics. Moreover, a large number of emerging proposals predict that the latter state can be employed for topological quantum computing ( Station Q was founded by Microsoft Corp. in order to pursue this goal). This proposal aims at studying the abelian and non-abelian fractional charges, and in particular to observe their peculiar statistics. While charges are preferably determined by measuring quantum shot noise, their statistics must be determined via interference experiments, where one particle goes around another. The experiments are very demanding since the even denominator fractions turn to be very fragile and thus can be observed only in the purest possible two dimensional electron gas and at the lowest temperatures. While until very recently such high quality samples were available only by a single grower (in the USA), we have the capability now to grow extremely pure samples with profound even denominator states. As will be detailed in the proposal, we have all the necessary tools to study charge and statistics of these fascinating excitations, due to our experience in crystal growth, shot noise and interferometry measurements.
Summary
The discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect created a revolution in solid state research by introducing a new state of matter resulting from strong electron interactions. The new state is characterized by excitations (quasi-particles) that carry fractional charge, which are expected to obey fractional statistics. While odd denominator fractional states are expected to have an abelian statistics, the newly discovered 5/2 even denominator fractional state is expected to have a non-abelian statistics. Moreover, a large number of emerging proposals predict that the latter state can be employed for topological quantum computing ( Station Q was founded by Microsoft Corp. in order to pursue this goal). This proposal aims at studying the abelian and non-abelian fractional charges, and in particular to observe their peculiar statistics. While charges are preferably determined by measuring quantum shot noise, their statistics must be determined via interference experiments, where one particle goes around another. The experiments are very demanding since the even denominator fractions turn to be very fragile and thus can be observed only in the purest possible two dimensional electron gas and at the lowest temperatures. While until very recently such high quality samples were available only by a single grower (in the USA), we have the capability now to grow extremely pure samples with profound even denominator states. As will be detailed in the proposal, we have all the necessary tools to study charge and statistics of these fascinating excitations, due to our experience in crystal growth, shot noise and interferometry measurements.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym FROM-PDE
Project Frobenius Manifolds and Hamiltonian Partial Differential Equations
Researcher (PI) Boris Dubrovin
Host Institution (HI) SCUOLA INTERNAZIONALE SUPERIORE DI STUDI AVANZATI DI TRIESTE
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE1, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The basic idea of the project is to apply methods and results of the theory of integrable systems to non-integrable PDEs. We do not promise to solve any PDE; however, in certain strongly nonlinear regimes, solutions to a conservative non-integrable PDE exhibit integrable behaviour. The realization of this idea, supported by some preliminary analytical and numerical results, will consist of three main tasks: 1) classify normal forms of quasilinear Hamiltonian PDEs and their perturbations; 2) reduce the lists of asymptotic solutions to an abridged list of universal forms represented via Painlevé transcendents, theta-functions, etc.; 3) establish matching rules between the universal asymptotic expansions. Differential-geometric methods based on the theory of Frobenius manifolds will be crucial in solving the classification problems; analytic and algebro-geometric techniques applied to the Hurwitz spaces of Riemann surfaces will be instrumental in the description of nonlinear oscillatory regimes; selected solutions to Painlevé equations and their generalizations will be needed for the analytic description of transitions from regular to oscillatory behaviour. The project is aiming at creation of an online library of the main qualitative types of behaviour of solutions to large classes of nonlinear evolutionary PDEs supplied with analytic expressions, numerical codes and visualization tools, as well as with tests of existence of a Hamiltonian structure, integrability or almost integrability. Such a library will both stimulate the research in the field and lead to a high visibility of the project.
Summary
The basic idea of the project is to apply methods and results of the theory of integrable systems to non-integrable PDEs. We do not promise to solve any PDE; however, in certain strongly nonlinear regimes, solutions to a conservative non-integrable PDE exhibit integrable behaviour. The realization of this idea, supported by some preliminary analytical and numerical results, will consist of three main tasks: 1) classify normal forms of quasilinear Hamiltonian PDEs and their perturbations; 2) reduce the lists of asymptotic solutions to an abridged list of universal forms represented via Painlevé transcendents, theta-functions, etc.; 3) establish matching rules between the universal asymptotic expansions. Differential-geometric methods based on the theory of Frobenius manifolds will be crucial in solving the classification problems; analytic and algebro-geometric techniques applied to the Hurwitz spaces of Riemann surfaces will be instrumental in the description of nonlinear oscillatory regimes; selected solutions to Painlevé equations and their generalizations will be needed for the analytic description of transitions from regular to oscillatory behaviour. The project is aiming at creation of an online library of the main qualitative types of behaviour of solutions to large classes of nonlinear evolutionary PDEs supplied with analytic expressions, numerical codes and visualization tools, as well as with tests of existence of a Hamiltonian structure, integrability or almost integrability. Such a library will both stimulate the research in the field and lead to a high visibility of the project.
Max ERC Funding
864 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym FRU CIRCUIT
Project Neural basis of Drosophila mating behaviours
Researcher (PI) Barry Dickson
Host Institution (HI) FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR MOLEKULARE PATHOLOGIE GESELLSCHAFT MBH
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS5, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary How does information processing in neural circuits generate behaviour? Answering this question requires identifying each of the distinct neuronal types that contributes to a behaviour, defining their anatomy and connectivity, and establishing causal relationships between their activity, the activity of other neurons in the circuit, and the behaviour. Here, I propose such an analysis of the neural circuits that guide Drosophila mating behaviours. The distinct mating behaviours of males and females are genetically pre-programmed, yet can also be modified by experience. The set of ~2000 neurons that express the fru gene have been intimately linked to both male and female mating behaviours. This set of neurons includes specific sensory, central, and motor neurons, at least some of which are directly connected. Male-specific fruM isoforms configure this circuit developmentally for male rather than female behaviour. In females, mating triggers a biochemical cascade that reconfigures the circuit for post-mating rather than virgin female behaviour. We estimate that there are ~100 distinct classes of fru neuron. Using genetic and optical tools, we aim to identify each distinct class of fru neuron and to define its anatomy and connectivity. By silencing or activating specific neurons, or changing their genetic sex, we will assess their contributions to male and female behaviours, and how these perturbations impinge on activity patterns in other fru neurons. We also aim to define how a specific experience can modify the physiological properties of these circuits, and how these changes in turn modulate mating behaviour. These studies will define the operating principles of these neural circuits, contributing to a molecules-to-systems explanation of Drosophila s mating behaviours.
Summary
How does information processing in neural circuits generate behaviour? Answering this question requires identifying each of the distinct neuronal types that contributes to a behaviour, defining their anatomy and connectivity, and establishing causal relationships between their activity, the activity of other neurons in the circuit, and the behaviour. Here, I propose such an analysis of the neural circuits that guide Drosophila mating behaviours. The distinct mating behaviours of males and females are genetically pre-programmed, yet can also be modified by experience. The set of ~2000 neurons that express the fru gene have been intimately linked to both male and female mating behaviours. This set of neurons includes specific sensory, central, and motor neurons, at least some of which are directly connected. Male-specific fruM isoforms configure this circuit developmentally for male rather than female behaviour. In females, mating triggers a biochemical cascade that reconfigures the circuit for post-mating rather than virgin female behaviour. We estimate that there are ~100 distinct classes of fru neuron. Using genetic and optical tools, we aim to identify each distinct class of fru neuron and to define its anatomy and connectivity. By silencing or activating specific neurons, or changing their genetic sex, we will assess their contributions to male and female behaviours, and how these perturbations impinge on activity patterns in other fru neurons. We also aim to define how a specific experience can modify the physiological properties of these circuits, and how these changes in turn modulate mating behaviour. These studies will define the operating principles of these neural circuits, contributing to a molecules-to-systems explanation of Drosophila s mating behaviours.
Max ERC Funding
2 492 164 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-07-01, End date: 2013-09-30
Project acronym FUEL-PATH
Project Exploiting the saccharification potential of pathogenic microorganisms to improve biofuel production from plants
Researcher (PI) Felice Cervone
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS9, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary "FUEL-PATH aims at providing new knowledge on plant cell wall and innovative biotechnological solutions for biomass utilization. A key process for biomass utilization is the initial degradation of cell walls into fermentable sugars (saccharification); this is hindered by the wall recalcitrance to hydrolysis. We propose to improve the plant saccharification characteristics by mimicking a strategy successfully used by phytopathogenic microorganisms. These produce pectic enzymes before other cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) to weaken the linkages between the wall components and favour the maceration of the plant tissue. Homogalacturonan (HGA), a major component of pectin, is synthesized in a methylated form and is de-esterified in the wall by methylesterases (PMEs). De-esterified HGA interacts with calcium to form ""egg-box"" structures, which are critical for maintaining the integrity of the entire wall. We propose to improve saccharification by expression in plants of microbial polygalacturonases (PGs) hydrolizing HGA. Plants expressing a fungal PG have reduced levels of HGA and enhanced saccharification (unpublished preliminary data). Since PG activity in pianta affects normal growth, a technology of enzyme control through the use of specific protein inhibitors will be developed. A second strategy to be adopted for weakening the ""egg-box"" is the overexpression of PME inhibitors. This may cause not only an increased degradability but also an enhanced biomass production. FUEL-PATH will provide detailed information on the structure, function and construction of tailor-made enzymes and inhibitors suitable for the saccharification process. FUEL-PATH will also address the relationship between pectin composition and developmental responses mediated by hormones in PG-expressing plants. A genetic screen will be performed to isolate genes involved growth defects and increased cell wall degradability and these will be characterized for a possible biotechnological use."
Summary
"FUEL-PATH aims at providing new knowledge on plant cell wall and innovative biotechnological solutions for biomass utilization. A key process for biomass utilization is the initial degradation of cell walls into fermentable sugars (saccharification); this is hindered by the wall recalcitrance to hydrolysis. We propose to improve the plant saccharification characteristics by mimicking a strategy successfully used by phytopathogenic microorganisms. These produce pectic enzymes before other cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) to weaken the linkages between the wall components and favour the maceration of the plant tissue. Homogalacturonan (HGA), a major component of pectin, is synthesized in a methylated form and is de-esterified in the wall by methylesterases (PMEs). De-esterified HGA interacts with calcium to form ""egg-box"" structures, which are critical for maintaining the integrity of the entire wall. We propose to improve saccharification by expression in plants of microbial polygalacturonases (PGs) hydrolizing HGA. Plants expressing a fungal PG have reduced levels of HGA and enhanced saccharification (unpublished preliminary data). Since PG activity in pianta affects normal growth, a technology of enzyme control through the use of specific protein inhibitors will be developed. A second strategy to be adopted for weakening the ""egg-box"" is the overexpression of PME inhibitors. This may cause not only an increased degradability but also an enhanced biomass production. FUEL-PATH will provide detailed information on the structure, function and construction of tailor-made enzymes and inhibitors suitable for the saccharification process. FUEL-PATH will also address the relationship between pectin composition and developmental responses mediated by hormones in PG-expressing plants. A genetic screen will be performed to isolate genes involved growth defects and increased cell wall degradability and these will be characterized for a possible biotechnological use."
Max ERC Funding
2 099 600 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2014-06-30
Project acronym FUNCAT
Project Fundamental Studies in Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis
Researcher (PI) Steven Patrick Nolan
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE5, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The area of catalysis is now at the forefront of the chemical sciences in light of environmental and economic issues. Synthesizing bulk, fine and pharmaceutical compounds using catalysis is now a must in the modern economy. The studies described in the present proposal make use of the full arsenal of techniques available for modern synthetic chemical investigation: fundamental physicochemical studies, experiment-based rational catalyst design and catalytic studies. The exploratory physicochemical experiments to be performed make use of classical solution reaction calorimetry involving air- and moisture sensitive complexes. This area is very poorly investigated worldwide. The PI is a world leader in the area of organometallic thermochemistry, a technique that is proposed for elaboration in Spain. This section of the proposal will permit an increase of knowledge on fundamental catalytic systems, allowing for determination of enthalpy and kinetics of key reaction steps involved in homogeneous catalysis. Much needed thermodynamic information will be generated for palladium, gold, iridium and rhenium systems. The development of a rhenium-based system is proposed for investigation in the area of olefin metathesis. Furthermore, ruthenium-systems enabling alkyne metathesis are targeted for synthesis. The development of such olefin modifying system would greatly benefit Europe as catalytic transformations have huge potential in polymer, pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. The proposed work is both fundamental and applied high risk and high reward. It is outside the presently investigated areas of research carried out by our group at the ICIQ. The Principal Investigator (PI) has 25 years of experience in fundamental and applied chemical research and 15 years of experience as an independent researcher in homogeneous catalysis and organometallic chemistry.
Summary
The area of catalysis is now at the forefront of the chemical sciences in light of environmental and economic issues. Synthesizing bulk, fine and pharmaceutical compounds using catalysis is now a must in the modern economy. The studies described in the present proposal make use of the full arsenal of techniques available for modern synthetic chemical investigation: fundamental physicochemical studies, experiment-based rational catalyst design and catalytic studies. The exploratory physicochemical experiments to be performed make use of classical solution reaction calorimetry involving air- and moisture sensitive complexes. This area is very poorly investigated worldwide. The PI is a world leader in the area of organometallic thermochemistry, a technique that is proposed for elaboration in Spain. This section of the proposal will permit an increase of knowledge on fundamental catalytic systems, allowing for determination of enthalpy and kinetics of key reaction steps involved in homogeneous catalysis. Much needed thermodynamic information will be generated for palladium, gold, iridium and rhenium systems. The development of a rhenium-based system is proposed for investigation in the area of olefin metathesis. Furthermore, ruthenium-systems enabling alkyne metathesis are targeted for synthesis. The development of such olefin modifying system would greatly benefit Europe as catalytic transformations have huge potential in polymer, pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. The proposed work is both fundamental and applied high risk and high reward. It is outside the presently investigated areas of research carried out by our group at the ICIQ. The Principal Investigator (PI) has 25 years of experience in fundamental and applied chemical research and 15 years of experience as an independent researcher in homogeneous catalysis and organometallic chemistry.
Max ERC Funding
2 033 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2014-12-31
Project acronym FUNDMS
Project Functionalisation of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors
Researcher (PI) Tomasz Dietl
Host Institution (HI) INSTYTUT FIZYKI POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary Low-temperature studies of transition metal doped III-V and II-VI compounds carried out over the last decade have demonstrated the unprecedented opportunity offered by these systems for exploring physical phenomena and device concepts in previously unavailable combinations of quantum structures and ferromagnetism in semiconductors. The work proposed here aims at combining and at advancing epitaxial methods, spatially-resolved nano-characterisation tools, and theoretical modelling in order to understand the intricate interplay between carrier localisation, magnetism, and magnetic ion distribution in DMS, and to develop functional DMS structures. To accomplish these goals we will take advantage of two recent breakthroughs in materials engineering. First, the attainment of high-k oxides makes now possible to generate interfacial hole densities up to 10^21 cm-3. We will exploit gated thin layers of DMS phosphides, nitrides, and oxides, in which hole delocalization and thus high temperature ferromagnetism is to be expected under gate bias. Furthermore we will systematically investigate how the Curie temperature of (Ga,Mn)As can be risen above 180 K. Second, the progress in nanoscale chemical analysis has allowed demonstrating that high temperature ferromagnetism of semiconductors results from nanoscale crystallographic or chemical phase separations into regions containing a large concentration of the magnetic constituent. We will elaborate experimentally and theoretically epitaxy and co-doping protocols for controlling the self-organised growth of magnetic nanostructures, utilizing broadly synchrotron radiation and nanoscopic characterisation tools. The established methods will allow us to obtain on demand either magnetic nano-dots or magnetic nano-columns embedded in a semiconductor host, for which we predict, and will demonstrate, ground-breaking functionalities. We will also assess reports on the possibility of high-temperature ferromagnetism without magnetic ions.
Summary
Low-temperature studies of transition metal doped III-V and II-VI compounds carried out over the last decade have demonstrated the unprecedented opportunity offered by these systems for exploring physical phenomena and device concepts in previously unavailable combinations of quantum structures and ferromagnetism in semiconductors. The work proposed here aims at combining and at advancing epitaxial methods, spatially-resolved nano-characterisation tools, and theoretical modelling in order to understand the intricate interplay between carrier localisation, magnetism, and magnetic ion distribution in DMS, and to develop functional DMS structures. To accomplish these goals we will take advantage of two recent breakthroughs in materials engineering. First, the attainment of high-k oxides makes now possible to generate interfacial hole densities up to 10^21 cm-3. We will exploit gated thin layers of DMS phosphides, nitrides, and oxides, in which hole delocalization and thus high temperature ferromagnetism is to be expected under gate bias. Furthermore we will systematically investigate how the Curie temperature of (Ga,Mn)As can be risen above 180 K. Second, the progress in nanoscale chemical analysis has allowed demonstrating that high temperature ferromagnetism of semiconductors results from nanoscale crystallographic or chemical phase separations into regions containing a large concentration of the magnetic constituent. We will elaborate experimentally and theoretically epitaxy and co-doping protocols for controlling the self-organised growth of magnetic nanostructures, utilizing broadly synchrotron radiation and nanoscopic characterisation tools. The established methods will allow us to obtain on demand either magnetic nano-dots or magnetic nano-columns embedded in a semiconductor host, for which we predict, and will demonstrate, ground-breaking functionalities. We will also assess reports on the possibility of high-temperature ferromagnetism without magnetic ions.
Max ERC Funding
2 440 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym FUNMAT
Project Self-Organized Nanostructuring in Functional Thin Film Materials
Researcher (PI) Lars Hultman
Host Institution (HI) LINKOPINGS UNIVERSITET
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE5, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary I aim to achieve a fundamental understanding of the atomistic kinetic pathways responsible for nanostructure formation and to explore the concept of self-organization by thermodynamic segregation in functional ceramics. Model systems are advanced ceramic thin films, which will be studied under two defining cases: 1) deposition of supersaturated solid solutions or nanocomposites by magnetron sputtering (epitaxy) and arc evaporation. 2) post-deposition annealing (ageing) of as-synthesized material. Thin film ceramics are terra incognita for compositions in the miscibility gap. The field is exciting since both surface and in-depth decomposition can take place in the alloys. The methodology is based on combined growth experiments, characterization, and ab initio calculations to identify and describe systems with a large miscibility gap. A hot topic is to elucidate the bonding nature of the cubic-SiNx interfacial phase, discovered by us in TiN/Si3N4 with impact for superhard nanocomposites. I have also pioneered studies of self-organization by spinodal decomposition in TiAlN alloy films (age hardening). Here, the details of metastable c-AlN nm domain formation are unknown and the systems HfAlN and ZrAlN are predicted to be even more promising. Other model systems are III-nitrides (band gap engineering), semiconductor/insulator oxides (interface conductivity) and carbides (tribology). The proposed research is exploratory and has the potential of explaining outstanding phenomena (Gibbs-Thomson effect, strain, and spinodal decomposition) as well as discovering new phases, for which my group has a track-record, backed-up by state-of-the-art in situ techniques. One can envision a new class of super-hard all-crystalline ceramic nanocomposites with relevance for a large number of research areas where elevated temperature is of concern, significant in impact for areas as diverse as microelectronics and cutting tools as well as mechanical and optical components.
Summary
I aim to achieve a fundamental understanding of the atomistic kinetic pathways responsible for nanostructure formation and to explore the concept of self-organization by thermodynamic segregation in functional ceramics. Model systems are advanced ceramic thin films, which will be studied under two defining cases: 1) deposition of supersaturated solid solutions or nanocomposites by magnetron sputtering (epitaxy) and arc evaporation. 2) post-deposition annealing (ageing) of as-synthesized material. Thin film ceramics are terra incognita for compositions in the miscibility gap. The field is exciting since both surface and in-depth decomposition can take place in the alloys. The methodology is based on combined growth experiments, characterization, and ab initio calculations to identify and describe systems with a large miscibility gap. A hot topic is to elucidate the bonding nature of the cubic-SiNx interfacial phase, discovered by us in TiN/Si3N4 with impact for superhard nanocomposites. I have also pioneered studies of self-organization by spinodal decomposition in TiAlN alloy films (age hardening). Here, the details of metastable c-AlN nm domain formation are unknown and the systems HfAlN and ZrAlN are predicted to be even more promising. Other model systems are III-nitrides (band gap engineering), semiconductor/insulator oxides (interface conductivity) and carbides (tribology). The proposed research is exploratory and has the potential of explaining outstanding phenomena (Gibbs-Thomson effect, strain, and spinodal decomposition) as well as discovering new phases, for which my group has a track-record, backed-up by state-of-the-art in situ techniques. One can envision a new class of super-hard all-crystalline ceramic nanocomposites with relevance for a large number of research areas where elevated temperature is of concern, significant in impact for areas as diverse as microelectronics and cutting tools as well as mechanical and optical components.
Max ERC Funding
2 292 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-12-01, End date: 2013-11-30
