Project acronym 4D-BIOMAP
Project Biomechanical Stimulation based on 4D Printed Magneto-Active Polymers
Researcher (PI) DANIEL GARCIA GONZALEZ
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
Country Spain
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary MAPs are polymer-based composites that respond to magnetic fields with large deformation or tuneable mechanical properties. I aim to apply heterogeneous 3D printed MAPs as modifiable substrates to support biological structures which can have their deformation state and stiffness controlled by the external application of magnetic stimuli. Such mechanical stimulation has an important role on biological structures leading to alterations in functional responses, morphological changes and activation of growth or healing processes. Current bottlenecks preventing progress in this field are a lack of: a) appropriate experimental methodologies to enable characterisation of the behaviour of these materials; b) fundamental theoretical underpinnings to support the design and application of these new materials. The first step is to undertake in depth characterisation and assessment of 4D printed MAPs to create a detailed understanding of the underlying physics controlling the interactions between the polymeric matrices and embedded magnetic particles during application of mechanical and/or magnetic loadings. I will then culture biological structures on the novel 4D printed MAPs to create a ‘designed’ biostructure with specified and controllable responses to a given magnetic stimulus. These novel biostructures will be assessed using three applications: a) astrocyte cellular networks, b) neuronal circuits and c) astrocyte-neuronal networks. The evaluation of cellular damage, morphological and physiological alterations will validate the performance of the new biostructures and also contribute new understanding to the effects of deformation and stiffness gradients during glial scarring on physiological functions of central nervous system cells. The resulting deep understanding of magneto-mechanics of MAPs and their further development for controllable stimulation devices, will enable the international consolidation of my research group within the mechanics and bioengineering fields.
Summary
MAPs are polymer-based composites that respond to magnetic fields with large deformation or tuneable mechanical properties. I aim to apply heterogeneous 3D printed MAPs as modifiable substrates to support biological structures which can have their deformation state and stiffness controlled by the external application of magnetic stimuli. Such mechanical stimulation has an important role on biological structures leading to alterations in functional responses, morphological changes and activation of growth or healing processes. Current bottlenecks preventing progress in this field are a lack of: a) appropriate experimental methodologies to enable characterisation of the behaviour of these materials; b) fundamental theoretical underpinnings to support the design and application of these new materials. The first step is to undertake in depth characterisation and assessment of 4D printed MAPs to create a detailed understanding of the underlying physics controlling the interactions between the polymeric matrices and embedded magnetic particles during application of mechanical and/or magnetic loadings. I will then culture biological structures on the novel 4D printed MAPs to create a ‘designed’ biostructure with specified and controllable responses to a given magnetic stimulus. These novel biostructures will be assessed using three applications: a) astrocyte cellular networks, b) neuronal circuits and c) astrocyte-neuronal networks. The evaluation of cellular damage, morphological and physiological alterations will validate the performance of the new biostructures and also contribute new understanding to the effects of deformation and stiffness gradients during glial scarring on physiological functions of central nervous system cells. The resulting deep understanding of magneto-mechanics of MAPs and their further development for controllable stimulation devices, will enable the international consolidation of my research group within the mechanics and bioengineering fields.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 625 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31
Project acronym B3YOND
Project Beyond nanofabrication via nanoscale phase engineering of matter
Researcher (PI) Edoardo ALBISETTI
Host Institution (HI) POLITECNICO DI MILANO
Country Italy
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary B3YOND proposes a radically new approach to nanofabrication, based on using sub-10 nm confined thermal reactions for patterning and manipulating the physical properties of materials with unprecedented tunability and resolution. Throughout the past decades, the progress in micro- and nano-fabrication techniques has been one of the most powerful and ubiquitous driving forces in science and technology. Nowadays, conventional approaches to nanofabrication reached the fundamental physical limits for the downscaling of devices, so that the search for groundbreaking new paradigms has become vital for enabling significant technological advancement. This project aims to go substantially beyond conventional nanofabrication approaches, through the following ambitious research objectives:
1) Demonstrate a radically new approach to nanofabrication, phase-nanoengineering, based on directly crafting at the nanoscale the physical properties of thin-film materials, by using the recently developed thermally assisted scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) technique for producing highly localized and tunable thermally-induced phase changes.
2) Develop a new class of artificial nanomaterials with unprecedented electronic transport properties, which arise from the proximity and coexistence of different structural and electronic phases, tailored at the nanoscale.
3) Realize novel monolithic three-dimensional nanoelectronic platforms for beyond-CMOS computing, by exploiting the unique capabilities of t-SPL for obtaining sub-10 nm resolution patterning in three-dimensions.
By combining, in a highly multidisciplinary approach, some of the most promising recent advances in materials science, with the tremendous potential of t-SPL, this challenging project will enable disruptive conceptual and technological breakthroughs, beyond the conventional paradigms of nanofabrication.
Summary
B3YOND proposes a radically new approach to nanofabrication, based on using sub-10 nm confined thermal reactions for patterning and manipulating the physical properties of materials with unprecedented tunability and resolution. Throughout the past decades, the progress in micro- and nano-fabrication techniques has been one of the most powerful and ubiquitous driving forces in science and technology. Nowadays, conventional approaches to nanofabrication reached the fundamental physical limits for the downscaling of devices, so that the search for groundbreaking new paradigms has become vital for enabling significant technological advancement. This project aims to go substantially beyond conventional nanofabrication approaches, through the following ambitious research objectives:
1) Demonstrate a radically new approach to nanofabrication, phase-nanoengineering, based on directly crafting at the nanoscale the physical properties of thin-film materials, by using the recently developed thermally assisted scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) technique for producing highly localized and tunable thermally-induced phase changes.
2) Develop a new class of artificial nanomaterials with unprecedented electronic transport properties, which arise from the proximity and coexistence of different structural and electronic phases, tailored at the nanoscale.
3) Realize novel monolithic three-dimensional nanoelectronic platforms for beyond-CMOS computing, by exploiting the unique capabilities of t-SPL for obtaining sub-10 nm resolution patterning in three-dimensions.
By combining, in a highly multidisciplinary approach, some of the most promising recent advances in materials science, with the tremendous potential of t-SPL, this challenging project will enable disruptive conceptual and technological breakthroughs, beyond the conventional paradigms of nanofabrication.
Max ERC Funding
1 498 385 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-02-01, End date: 2026-01-31
Project acronym Bi3BoostFlowBat
Project Bioinspired, biphasic and bipolar flow batteries with boosters for sustainable large-scale energy storage
Researcher (PI) Pekka PELJO
Host Institution (HI) TURUN YLIOPISTO
Country Finland
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary To satisfy our growing energy demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels, a switch to renewable energy sources is vital. The intermittent nature of the latter means innovations in energy storage technology is a key grand challenge. Cost and sustainability issues currently limit the widespread use of electrochemical energy storage technologies, such as lithium ion and redox flow batteries. As the scale for energy storage is simply enormous, the only option is to look for abundant materials. However, compounds that fulfil the extensive requirements entailed at low cost has yet to be reported. While it is possible that the holy grail of energy storage will be found, for example by advanced computational tools and machine learning to design “perfect” abundant molecules, a more flexible, innovative solution to sustainable and cost-effective large-scale energy storage is required. Bi3BoostFlowBat will develop game changing strategies to widen the choice of compounds utilizable for batteries to simultaneously satisfy the requirements for low cost, optimal redox potentials, high solubility and stability in all conditions. The aim of this project is to develop cost-efficient batteries by using solid boosters and by eliminating cross over. Two approaches will be pursued for cross-over elimination 1) bio-inspired polymer batteries, where cross-over of solubilized polymers is prevented by size-exclusion membranes and 2) biphasic emulsion flow batteries, where redox species are transferred to oil phase droplets upon charge. Third research direction focuses on systems to maintain a pH gradient, to allow operation of differential pH systems to improve the cell voltages. Limits of different approaches will be explored by taking an electrochemical engineering approach to model the performance of different systems and by validating the models experimentally. This work will chart the route towards the future third generation battery technologies for the large-scale energy storage.
Summary
To satisfy our growing energy demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels, a switch to renewable energy sources is vital. The intermittent nature of the latter means innovations in energy storage technology is a key grand challenge. Cost and sustainability issues currently limit the widespread use of electrochemical energy storage technologies, such as lithium ion and redox flow batteries. As the scale for energy storage is simply enormous, the only option is to look for abundant materials. However, compounds that fulfil the extensive requirements entailed at low cost has yet to be reported. While it is possible that the holy grail of energy storage will be found, for example by advanced computational tools and machine learning to design “perfect” abundant molecules, a more flexible, innovative solution to sustainable and cost-effective large-scale energy storage is required. Bi3BoostFlowBat will develop game changing strategies to widen the choice of compounds utilizable for batteries to simultaneously satisfy the requirements for low cost, optimal redox potentials, high solubility and stability in all conditions. The aim of this project is to develop cost-efficient batteries by using solid boosters and by eliminating cross over. Two approaches will be pursued for cross-over elimination 1) bio-inspired polymer batteries, where cross-over of solubilized polymers is prevented by size-exclusion membranes and 2) biphasic emulsion flow batteries, where redox species are transferred to oil phase droplets upon charge. Third research direction focuses on systems to maintain a pH gradient, to allow operation of differential pH systems to improve the cell voltages. Limits of different approaches will be explored by taking an electrochemical engineering approach to model the performance of different systems and by validating the models experimentally. This work will chart the route towards the future third generation battery technologies for the large-scale energy storage.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 880 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31
Project acronym BioCom4SavEn
Project Bioinspired Composites Strategies for Saving Energy
Researcher (PI) Urszula STACHEWICZ
Host Institution (HI) AKADEMIA GORNICZO-HUTNICZA IM. STANISLAWA STASZICA W KRAKOWIE
Country Poland
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary Saving energy together with energy harvesting is demanded by increasing power consumption. The energy industry requires new materials not only for construction but also in cabling infrastructure. Moreover, the trend of portable and small devices causes a significant challenge in heat dissipation technologies. The need for sustainable technology in thermal insulation and cooling solutions to decrease power consumption requires new innovation.
My ambition is to bring novel solutions inspired by nature to the thermal management challenges such as:
- constructing light and more efficient thermal insulation;
- developing cooling system based on the fibrous membranes to dissipate effectively heat, both leading to lower power consumption;
- building mechanically robust and integrated system with conductive or piezoelectric properties, including thermal insulation and cooling system designed together for small devices and smart textiles.
The aim of the project is therefore to both comprehensively evaluate natural design strategies
and develop structural equivalents using novel composite manufacturing routes. Key to composite production is electrospinning allowing engineering the novel composites based on the porous membranes that will transform thermal energy management efficiency, allowing to increase the savings in daily life.
The novelty of the project is the combined effort of complex composite membranes that have been never performed before. The interdisciplinary team of postdocs and PhD students working in parallel on the divided but interlayered topics, will lead to break-through in engineered multifunctional thermal materials for various geometries from buildings to cables.
Summary
Saving energy together with energy harvesting is demanded by increasing power consumption. The energy industry requires new materials not only for construction but also in cabling infrastructure. Moreover, the trend of portable and small devices causes a significant challenge in heat dissipation technologies. The need for sustainable technology in thermal insulation and cooling solutions to decrease power consumption requires new innovation.
My ambition is to bring novel solutions inspired by nature to the thermal management challenges such as:
- constructing light and more efficient thermal insulation;
- developing cooling system based on the fibrous membranes to dissipate effectively heat, both leading to lower power consumption;
- building mechanically robust and integrated system with conductive or piezoelectric properties, including thermal insulation and cooling system designed together for small devices and smart textiles.
The aim of the project is therefore to both comprehensively evaluate natural design strategies
and develop structural equivalents using novel composite manufacturing routes. Key to composite production is electrospinning allowing engineering the novel composites based on the porous membranes that will transform thermal energy management efficiency, allowing to increase the savings in daily life.
The novelty of the project is the combined effort of complex composite membranes that have been never performed before. The interdisciplinary team of postdocs and PhD students working in parallel on the divided but interlayered topics, will lead to break-through in engineered multifunctional thermal materials for various geometries from buildings to cables.
Max ERC Funding
1 694 375 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31
Project acronym BioSCoPe
Project Impact of Biofuels on the Oxidation Stability and Combustion Pollutants of Heavy Duty and Jet Fuels
Researcher (PI) Baptiste SIRJEAN
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Country France
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE8, ERC-2020-COG
Summary Reducing greenhouse gas and harmful emissions in the transport sector is a crucial issue in the fight against climate change and air pollution. The use of sustainable biofuels remains the solution of choice to reduce the carbon footprint of propulsion systems that are difficult or impossible to electrify, such as those for aviation or road freight transports. The addition of biofuels to conventional fuels strongly affects their oxidation stability, leading to changes in their chemical and physical structures, which in turn affects the combustion engines functioning in terms of efficiency, safety and pollutant emissions.
The synergistic effects of the oxidation of liquid fuels (aging), the action of antioxidant additives, and their consequences on the reactivity and pollutant emissions during their combustion remain unexplored. This project aims at promoting the development of sustainable biofuels and antioxidants for heavy-duty transports by bringing a new fundamental understanding of their coupled effects on conventional fuels, throughout all their chain of use, from storage to combustion. Unprecedented well-defined kinetic experiments to study the oxidation stability of liquid fuels will be developed and directly coupled with a gas-phase combustion reactor. Key intermediates and pollutants will be quantified in the liquid- and gas-phase reactors. Detailed kinetic models will be developed and validated for liquid-phase oxidation and gas-phase combustion, using an original approach based on theoretical chemistry for the challenging liquid-phase models.
This project will set new standards in the research field of biofuel combustion properties by integrating the crucial step of fuel aging, a neglected source of pollutants. It will push the frontier of knowledge on oxidation stability of fuels and antioxidants properties, and lead to new scientific tools and concepts to understand, design and optimize biofuel/antioxidants mixtures throughout all their chain of use.
Summary
Reducing greenhouse gas and harmful emissions in the transport sector is a crucial issue in the fight against climate change and air pollution. The use of sustainable biofuels remains the solution of choice to reduce the carbon footprint of propulsion systems that are difficult or impossible to electrify, such as those for aviation or road freight transports. The addition of biofuels to conventional fuels strongly affects their oxidation stability, leading to changes in their chemical and physical structures, which in turn affects the combustion engines functioning in terms of efficiency, safety and pollutant emissions.
The synergistic effects of the oxidation of liquid fuels (aging), the action of antioxidant additives, and their consequences on the reactivity and pollutant emissions during their combustion remain unexplored. This project aims at promoting the development of sustainable biofuels and antioxidants for heavy-duty transports by bringing a new fundamental understanding of their coupled effects on conventional fuels, throughout all their chain of use, from storage to combustion. Unprecedented well-defined kinetic experiments to study the oxidation stability of liquid fuels will be developed and directly coupled with a gas-phase combustion reactor. Key intermediates and pollutants will be quantified in the liquid- and gas-phase reactors. Detailed kinetic models will be developed and validated for liquid-phase oxidation and gas-phase combustion, using an original approach based on theoretical chemistry for the challenging liquid-phase models.
This project will set new standards in the research field of biofuel combustion properties by integrating the crucial step of fuel aging, a neglected source of pollutants. It will push the frontier of knowledge on oxidation stability of fuels and antioxidants properties, and lead to new scientific tools and concepts to understand, design and optimize biofuel/antioxidants mixtures throughout all their chain of use.
Max ERC Funding
1 996 856 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-09-01, End date: 2026-08-31
Project acronym BRAIN-ACT
Project Biohybrid Synapses for Interactive Neuronal Networks
Researcher (PI) Francesca Santoro
Host Institution (HI) FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Country Italy
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary BRAIN-ACT aims to develop the next generation of interactive biohybrid devices which will couple biological neuronal networks to organic artificial neurons. For the first time, neurons will interact with the device by active mechanical reshaping which will transduce in the maintenance of the electrical network connection strength (long term potentiation –LTP). This will be achieved by a) processing dynamic electroactive materials b) engineering the neuromorphic abiotic surface with biological synaptic receptors and c) intergrate an in vitro biohybrid synapses array to investigate the interplay at the interface between neuronal cells and their synaptic activity with dynamic electrically-smart materials.
BRAIN-ACT will pave the way for a new class of chip-based smart bioelectronic devices which will ‘have a shape of a neuron and act like a neuron’.
Over 10 million people are affected by neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s worldwide and show significant loss of functionalities in their daily life. Those are mainly related to faulty connections within the brain which reflects neuronal miscommunication regulated by billions of individual connections among pairs called synapses. The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity is called synaptic plasticity and is regulated through electrical and biomechanical signals exchanged by neurons pairs. In vitro bioelectronic platforms have been devoted to monitor and stimulate those signals across neuronal network areas to characterize electrical activity and connectivity in a passive manner.
BRAIN-ACT will revolutionize the study of in vitro neuronal networks through active mechanical reshaping to establish optimal electrical signal exchange among neuronal cells. More broadly, the proposed project will define the fundamental conditions to unleash the potential of neuromorphic devices as implantable materials in to the brain.
Summary
BRAIN-ACT aims to develop the next generation of interactive biohybrid devices which will couple biological neuronal networks to organic artificial neurons. For the first time, neurons will interact with the device by active mechanical reshaping which will transduce in the maintenance of the electrical network connection strength (long term potentiation –LTP). This will be achieved by a) processing dynamic electroactive materials b) engineering the neuromorphic abiotic surface with biological synaptic receptors and c) intergrate an in vitro biohybrid synapses array to investigate the interplay at the interface between neuronal cells and their synaptic activity with dynamic electrically-smart materials.
BRAIN-ACT will pave the way for a new class of chip-based smart bioelectronic devices which will ‘have a shape of a neuron and act like a neuron’.
Over 10 million people are affected by neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s worldwide and show significant loss of functionalities in their daily life. Those are mainly related to faulty connections within the brain which reflects neuronal miscommunication regulated by billions of individual connections among pairs called synapses. The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, in response to increases or decreases in their activity is called synaptic plasticity and is regulated through electrical and biomechanical signals exchanged by neurons pairs. In vitro bioelectronic platforms have been devoted to monitor and stimulate those signals across neuronal network areas to characterize electrical activity and connectivity in a passive manner.
BRAIN-ACT will revolutionize the study of in vitro neuronal networks through active mechanical reshaping to establish optimal electrical signal exchange among neuronal cells. More broadly, the proposed project will define the fundamental conditions to unleash the potential of neuromorphic devices as implantable materials in to the brain.
Max ERC Funding
1 859 062 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-09-01, End date: 2026-08-31
Project acronym BU-PACT
Project Unravelling bubble-particle collisions in turbulence
Researcher (PI) Dominik Johannes Krug
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITEIT TWENTE
Country Netherlands
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary The objective of the proposed study program is to elucidate the effect of turbulence on collisions between bubbles and particles. Such collisions are fundamental to flotation, a process widely used to separate materials based on differences in their hydropThe objective of the proposed study program is to elucidate the effect of turbulence on collisions between bubbles and particles. Such collisions are fundamental to the flotation process, a technology widely used
in industry. Applications include wastewater treatment, paper recycling, and especially mining, where flotation is used to separate minerals.
This process commonly operates under strongly turbulent conditions and the important role of turbulence is now a widely accepted fact in the mineral engineering community. The actual effect of turbulence on the bubble-particle collision rate, however, remains unclear. This is largely because effects arising from a finite drift velocity of suspended species, such as preferential concentration, remain entirely unexplored and hence unaccounted for. Bubbles and light particles behave fundamentally different in a turbulent flow compared to their heavy counterparts and therefore the problem. Therefore the bubble-particle problem is fundamentally different from e.g. droplet collisions in clouds, requiring new concepts.
I intend to investigate bubble-particle collisions through combined experimental and numerical efforts. Experiments using Particle Tracking Velocimetry will provide much needed reference data while direct numerical simulations via point-particle and immersed-boundary methods will allow us to study various physical effects in detail. Together, these will enable us to develop and test realistic theories and models for the geometric collision rate between particles and bubbles as well as for their collision efficiency. The ultimate goal is a physics-based parametrization of the effective bubble-particle collision rate in realistic conditions.
Summary
The objective of the proposed study program is to elucidate the effect of turbulence on collisions between bubbles and particles. Such collisions are fundamental to flotation, a process widely used to separate materials based on differences in their hydropThe objective of the proposed study program is to elucidate the effect of turbulence on collisions between bubbles and particles. Such collisions are fundamental to the flotation process, a technology widely used
in industry. Applications include wastewater treatment, paper recycling, and especially mining, where flotation is used to separate minerals.
This process commonly operates under strongly turbulent conditions and the important role of turbulence is now a widely accepted fact in the mineral engineering community. The actual effect of turbulence on the bubble-particle collision rate, however, remains unclear. This is largely because effects arising from a finite drift velocity of suspended species, such as preferential concentration, remain entirely unexplored and hence unaccounted for. Bubbles and light particles behave fundamentally different in a turbulent flow compared to their heavy counterparts and therefore the problem. Therefore the bubble-particle problem is fundamentally different from e.g. droplet collisions in clouds, requiring new concepts.
I intend to investigate bubble-particle collisions through combined experimental and numerical efforts. Experiments using Particle Tracking Velocimetry will provide much needed reference data while direct numerical simulations via point-particle and immersed-boundary methods will allow us to study various physical effects in detail. Together, these will enable us to develop and test realistic theories and models for the geometric collision rate between particles and bubbles as well as for their collision efficiency. The ultimate goal is a physics-based parametrization of the effective bubble-particle collision rate in realistic conditions.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31
Project acronym CATCH
Project Cross-dimensional Activation of Two-Dimensional Semiconductors for Photocatalytic Heterojunctions
Researcher (PI) Wei CAO
Host Institution (HI) OULUN YLIOPISTO
Country Finland
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE8, ERC-2020-COG
Summary Spacetime defines existence and evolution of materials. A key path to human’s sustainability through materials innovation can hardly circumvent materials dimensionalities. Despite numerous studies in electrically distinct 2D semiconductors, the route to engage them in high-performance photocatalysts remains elusive. Herein, CATCH proposes a cross-dimensional activation strategy of 2D semiconductors to implement practical photocatalysis. It operates electronic structures of dimensionally paradoxical 2D semiconductors and spatially limited nD (n=0-2) guests, directs charge migration processes, mass-produces advanced catalysts and elucidates time-evolved catalysis. Synergic impacts crossing 2D-nD will lead to > 95%/hour rates for pollutant removal and >20% quantum efficiencies for H2 evolution under visible light. CATCH enumerates chemical coordination and writes reaction equations with sub-nanosecond precision.
CATCH employs density functional theory optimization and data mining prediction to select most probable heterojunctional peers from hetero/homo- dimensions. Through facile but efficient wet and dry synthesis, nanostructures will be bonded to basal planes or brinks of 2D slabs. CATCH benefits in-house techniques for product characterizations and refinements and emphasizes on cutting-edge in situ studies to unveil photocatalysis at advanced photon sources. Assisted with theoretical modelling, ambient and time-evolved experiments will illustrate photocatalytic dynamics and kinetics in mixed spacetime.
CATCH unites low-dimensional materials designs by counting physical and electronic merits from spacetime confinements. It metrologically elaborates photocatalysis in an elevated 2D+nD+t, alters passages of materials combinations crossing dimensions, and directs future photocatalyst designs. Standing on cross-dimensional materials innovation and photocatalysis study, CATCH breaks the deadlock of practical photocatalysis that eventually leads to sustainability.
Summary
Spacetime defines existence and evolution of materials. A key path to human’s sustainability through materials innovation can hardly circumvent materials dimensionalities. Despite numerous studies in electrically distinct 2D semiconductors, the route to engage them in high-performance photocatalysts remains elusive. Herein, CATCH proposes a cross-dimensional activation strategy of 2D semiconductors to implement practical photocatalysis. It operates electronic structures of dimensionally paradoxical 2D semiconductors and spatially limited nD (n=0-2) guests, directs charge migration processes, mass-produces advanced catalysts and elucidates time-evolved catalysis. Synergic impacts crossing 2D-nD will lead to > 95%/hour rates for pollutant removal and >20% quantum efficiencies for H2 evolution under visible light. CATCH enumerates chemical coordination and writes reaction equations with sub-nanosecond precision.
CATCH employs density functional theory optimization and data mining prediction to select most probable heterojunctional peers from hetero/homo- dimensions. Through facile but efficient wet and dry synthesis, nanostructures will be bonded to basal planes or brinks of 2D slabs. CATCH benefits in-house techniques for product characterizations and refinements and emphasizes on cutting-edge in situ studies to unveil photocatalysis at advanced photon sources. Assisted with theoretical modelling, ambient and time-evolved experiments will illustrate photocatalytic dynamics and kinetics in mixed spacetime.
CATCH unites low-dimensional materials designs by counting physical and electronic merits from spacetime confinements. It metrologically elaborates photocatalysis in an elevated 2D+nD+t, alters passages of materials combinations crossing dimensions, and directs future photocatalyst designs. Standing on cross-dimensional materials innovation and photocatalysis study, CATCH breaks the deadlock of practical photocatalysis that eventually leads to sustainability.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 946 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-05-01, End date: 2026-04-30
Project acronym CO2CAP
Project Energy harvesting from CO2 emission exploiting ionic liquid-based CAPacitive mixing
Researcher (PI) Andrea Lamberti
Host Institution (HI) POLITECNICO DI TORINO
Country Italy
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary When two solutions with different composition are mixed, free energy of mixing is released. This phenomenon was deeply investigated in the last decades in order to harvest the so-called salinity gradient power. One of the most incipient technology that allows to harvest this energy is the Capacitive Mixing (CapMix) and its working mechanism is based on a fluidic electrochemical cell, similar to a supercapacitor. Since this mixing phenomenon holds true for both liquids and gases, my idea is to harvest energy from anthropic CO2. The energy density stored in the CO2 emission is tremendously higher than that stored in salinity gradient and theoretically estimated as high as 1570 TWh/year. Since ions are needed in CapMix process, with CO2CAP I propose for the first time to exploit a green ionic liquid (IL), i.e. a bio-derived molten salt at room temperature, both as electrolyte and CO2 absorbing medium in a CapMix cell. The principle consists of flowing a concentrated CO2 gas stream, alternated to vacuum step, in the IL during the charging/discharging of two electrodes. The CO2 will induce an electric double layer (EDL) expansion of charges at the electrode/IL interface thereby converting the released mixing energy into electrical energy. To reach this goal, the objectives of CO2CAP are to develop novel cutting-edge carbon-based electrodes and amino acid-based IL designed to maximize the EDL of charges at the electrode/IL interface, enhancing at the same time the CO2 absorption capacity. This will be possible by using a multidisciplinary approach based on materials engineering, modelling, advanced characterization methods and novel architecture of the electrodes. The engineered materials and cell will allow to demonstrate the feasibility of this new electrochemical approach, enabling a deeper understanding of the physical and electrochemical phenomena occurring in such a complicated system, and paving the way to a new generation of CO2-free renewable energy source.
Summary
When two solutions with different composition are mixed, free energy of mixing is released. This phenomenon was deeply investigated in the last decades in order to harvest the so-called salinity gradient power. One of the most incipient technology that allows to harvest this energy is the Capacitive Mixing (CapMix) and its working mechanism is based on a fluidic electrochemical cell, similar to a supercapacitor. Since this mixing phenomenon holds true for both liquids and gases, my idea is to harvest energy from anthropic CO2. The energy density stored in the CO2 emission is tremendously higher than that stored in salinity gradient and theoretically estimated as high as 1570 TWh/year. Since ions are needed in CapMix process, with CO2CAP I propose for the first time to exploit a green ionic liquid (IL), i.e. a bio-derived molten salt at room temperature, both as electrolyte and CO2 absorbing medium in a CapMix cell. The principle consists of flowing a concentrated CO2 gas stream, alternated to vacuum step, in the IL during the charging/discharging of two electrodes. The CO2 will induce an electric double layer (EDL) expansion of charges at the electrode/IL interface thereby converting the released mixing energy into electrical energy. To reach this goal, the objectives of CO2CAP are to develop novel cutting-edge carbon-based electrodes and amino acid-based IL designed to maximize the EDL of charges at the electrode/IL interface, enhancing at the same time the CO2 absorption capacity. This will be possible by using a multidisciplinary approach based on materials engineering, modelling, advanced characterization methods and novel architecture of the electrodes. The engineered materials and cell will allow to demonstrate the feasibility of this new electrochemical approach, enabling a deeper understanding of the physical and electrochemical phenomena occurring in such a complicated system, and paving the way to a new generation of CO2-free renewable energy source.
Max ERC Funding
1 497 500 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31
Project acronym CryForm
Project Crystal Engineering the New Generation of Sustainable, Biocompatible and Stimuli Responsive Formulations for the Delivery of Active Ingredients
Researcher (PI) Elena Simone
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Country United Kingdom
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2020-STG
Summary CryForm aims at progressing our fundamental knowledge in organic materials crystallization and crystal engineering by: (1) gleaning a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between crystal structure and surface properties; (2) uncovering the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms of crystal nucleation and growth at liquid/liquid and liquid/gas interfaces; (3) understanding the role of large biomolecules in the modification of crystal growth and nucleation kinetics. This knowledge will enable the design of novel sustainable, biocompatible and stimuli responsive multiphase formulations (e.g., emulsions, foams) for the encapsulation and controlled release of active ingredients. Developing formulations with enhanced dissolution rate and bioavailability is critical for many industrial sectors: about 40% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients on the market and 60% of the ones in development are poorly soluble or scarcely bioavailable. Agrochemicals and food nutraceuticals present similar problems. Currently, synthetic excipients, surfactants and specialty polymers are used to create formulations with enhanced properties. However, these compounds are derived from non-renewable resources through some of the most greenhouse gas-intensive manufacturing processes. The production and incineration of polymeric materials will produce, in 2019, more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the chemical synthesis of many polymers involves highly toxic, flammable and polluting reagents such as ethylene oxide, responsible for the 2004 explosion at Sterigenics International in California. It is clearly necessary to move away from polymer-based formulations and find more sustainable and safer alternatives. CryForm proposes a unique approach whereby synthetic additives will be replaced with natural crystals specifically engineered to enable controlled release of active ingredients via a unique mechanism based on stimuli-triggered solid form transformations.
Summary
CryForm aims at progressing our fundamental knowledge in organic materials crystallization and crystal engineering by: (1) gleaning a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between crystal structure and surface properties; (2) uncovering the thermodynamic and kinetic mechanisms of crystal nucleation and growth at liquid/liquid and liquid/gas interfaces; (3) understanding the role of large biomolecules in the modification of crystal growth and nucleation kinetics. This knowledge will enable the design of novel sustainable, biocompatible and stimuli responsive multiphase formulations (e.g., emulsions, foams) for the encapsulation and controlled release of active ingredients. Developing formulations with enhanced dissolution rate and bioavailability is critical for many industrial sectors: about 40% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients on the market and 60% of the ones in development are poorly soluble or scarcely bioavailable. Agrochemicals and food nutraceuticals present similar problems. Currently, synthetic excipients, surfactants and specialty polymers are used to create formulations with enhanced properties. However, these compounds are derived from non-renewable resources through some of the most greenhouse gas-intensive manufacturing processes. The production and incineration of polymeric materials will produce, in 2019, more than 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the chemical synthesis of many polymers involves highly toxic, flammable and polluting reagents such as ethylene oxide, responsible for the 2004 explosion at Sterigenics International in California. It is clearly necessary to move away from polymer-based formulations and find more sustainable and safer alternatives. CryForm proposes a unique approach whereby synthetic additives will be replaced with natural crystals specifically engineered to enable controlled release of active ingredients via a unique mechanism based on stimuli-triggered solid form transformations.
Max ERC Funding
1 963 562 €
Duration
Start date: 2021-08-01, End date: 2026-07-31
