Project acronym 1toStopVax
Project RNA virus attenuation by altering mutational robustness
Researcher (PI) Marco VIGNUZZI
Host Institution (HI) INSTITUT PASTEUR
Country France
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2016-PoC, ERC-2016-PoC
Summary RNA viruses have extreme mutation frequencies. When a RNA virus replicates, nucleotide mutations are generated resulting in a population of variants. This genetic diversity creates a cloud of mutations that are potentially beneficial to viral survival, but the majority of mutations are detrimental to the virus. By increasing the mutation rate of a RNA virus, viral fitness is reduced because it generates more errors, and attenuates the virus during in vivo infection. Another feature that affects RNA virus fitness is mutational robustness. Mutational robustness is the ability to buffer the negative effects of mutation.
The attenuation of RNA viruses for vaccine production faces problems of genetic instability and reversion to a pathogenic phenotype. The conventional method for attenuation is mostly empirical and specific to the particular RNA virus species.
Hence, it cannot be universally applied to a variety of virus types. We've developed a non-empirical, rational means of attenuating RNA viruses, targeting mutational robustness as modifiable trait.
We demonstrate that mutational robustness of RNA viruses can be modified without changing a virus' physical and biological properties for vaccine production; yet the virus is attenuated as it becomes victim of its naturally high mutation rate. Specifically, the genome of RNA viruses are modified so that a larger proportion of mutations become lethal Stop mutations. Our technology places the virus one step away from these Stop mutations (1-to-Stop). We succeeded in attenuating two RNA viruses from very different viral families, confirming the broad applicability of this approach. These viruses were attenuated in vivo, generated high levels of neutralizing antibody and protected mice from lethal challenge infection.
The proposal now seeks to complete proof of concept studies and develop commercialization strategies to scale up this new technology to preclinical testing with industrial partners.
Summary
RNA viruses have extreme mutation frequencies. When a RNA virus replicates, nucleotide mutations are generated resulting in a population of variants. This genetic diversity creates a cloud of mutations that are potentially beneficial to viral survival, but the majority of mutations are detrimental to the virus. By increasing the mutation rate of a RNA virus, viral fitness is reduced because it generates more errors, and attenuates the virus during in vivo infection. Another feature that affects RNA virus fitness is mutational robustness. Mutational robustness is the ability to buffer the negative effects of mutation.
The attenuation of RNA viruses for vaccine production faces problems of genetic instability and reversion to a pathogenic phenotype. The conventional method for attenuation is mostly empirical and specific to the particular RNA virus species.
Hence, it cannot be universally applied to a variety of virus types. We've developed a non-empirical, rational means of attenuating RNA viruses, targeting mutational robustness as modifiable trait.
We demonstrate that mutational robustness of RNA viruses can be modified without changing a virus' physical and biological properties for vaccine production; yet the virus is attenuated as it becomes victim of its naturally high mutation rate. Specifically, the genome of RNA viruses are modified so that a larger proportion of mutations become lethal Stop mutations. Our technology places the virus one step away from these Stop mutations (1-to-Stop). We succeeded in attenuating two RNA viruses from very different viral families, confirming the broad applicability of this approach. These viruses were attenuated in vivo, generated high levels of neutralizing antibody and protected mice from lethal challenge infection.
The proposal now seeks to complete proof of concept studies and develop commercialization strategies to scale up this new technology to preclinical testing with industrial partners.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-09-01, End date: 2018-02-28
Project acronym 2D-4-CO2
Project DESIGNING 2D NANOSHEETS FOR CO2 REDUCTION AND INTEGRATION INTO vdW HETEROSTRUCTURES FOR ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Researcher (PI) Damien VOIRY
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Country France
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2018-STG
Summary CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) holds great promise for conversion of the green-house gas carbon dioxide into chemical fuels. The absence of catalytic materials demonstrating high performance and high selectivity currently hampers practical demonstration. CO2RR is also limited by the low solubility of CO2 in the electrolyte solution and therefore electrocatalytic reactions in gas phase using gas diffusion electrodes would be preferred. 2D materials have recently emerged as a novel class of electrocatalytic materials thanks to their rich structures and electronic properties. The synthesis of novel 2D catalysts and their implementation into photocatalytic systems would be a major step towards the development of devices for storing solar energy in the form of chemical fuels. With 2D-4-CO2, I propose to: 1) develop novel class of CO2RR catalysts based on conducting 2D nanosheets and 2) demonstrate photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels using structure engineered gas diffusion electrodes made of 2D conducting catalysts. To reach this goal, the first objective of 2D-4-CO2 is to provide guidelines for the development of novel cutting-edge 2D catalysts towards CO2 conversion into chemical fuel. This will be possible by using a multidisciplinary approach based on 2D materials engineering, advanced methods of characterization and novel designs of gas diffusion electrodes for the reduction of CO2 in gas phase. The second objective is to develop practical photocatalytic systems using van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures for the efficient conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels. vdW heterostructures will consist in rational designs of 2D materials and 2D-like materials deposited by atomic layer deposition in order to achieve highly efficient light conversion and prolonged stability. This project will not only enable a deeper understanding of the CO2RR but it will also provide practical strategies for large-scale application of CO2RR for solar fuel production.
Summary
CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) holds great promise for conversion of the green-house gas carbon dioxide into chemical fuels. The absence of catalytic materials demonstrating high performance and high selectivity currently hampers practical demonstration. CO2RR is also limited by the low solubility of CO2 in the electrolyte solution and therefore electrocatalytic reactions in gas phase using gas diffusion electrodes would be preferred. 2D materials have recently emerged as a novel class of electrocatalytic materials thanks to their rich structures and electronic properties. The synthesis of novel 2D catalysts and their implementation into photocatalytic systems would be a major step towards the development of devices for storing solar energy in the form of chemical fuels. With 2D-4-CO2, I propose to: 1) develop novel class of CO2RR catalysts based on conducting 2D nanosheets and 2) demonstrate photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels using structure engineered gas diffusion electrodes made of 2D conducting catalysts. To reach this goal, the first objective of 2D-4-CO2 is to provide guidelines for the development of novel cutting-edge 2D catalysts towards CO2 conversion into chemical fuel. This will be possible by using a multidisciplinary approach based on 2D materials engineering, advanced methods of characterization and novel designs of gas diffusion electrodes for the reduction of CO2 in gas phase. The second objective is to develop practical photocatalytic systems using van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures for the efficient conversion of CO2 into chemical fuels. vdW heterostructures will consist in rational designs of 2D materials and 2D-like materials deposited by atomic layer deposition in order to achieve highly efficient light conversion and prolonged stability. This project will not only enable a deeper understanding of the CO2RR but it will also provide practical strategies for large-scale application of CO2RR for solar fuel production.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 931 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-01-01, End date: 2023-12-31
Project acronym 2D-Ink
Project Ink-Jet printed supercapacitors based on 2D nanomaterials.
Researcher (PI) Valeria Nicolosi
Host Institution (HI) THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Country Ireland
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2014-PoC
Summary This proposal will determine the technical-economic viability of scaling-up ultra-thin, ink-jet printed films based on liquid-phase exfoliated single atomic layers of a range of nanomaterials. The PI has developed methods to produce in liquid nanosheets of a range of layered materials such as graphene, transition metal oxides, etc. These 2D-materials have immediate and far-reaching potential in several high-impact technological applications such as microelectronics, composites and energy harvesting and storage. 2DNanoCaps (ERC ref: 278516) has demonstrated that lab-scale ultra-thin graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes result in unusually high-power and extremely long device life-time (100% capacitance retention for 5000 charge-discharge cycles at the high power scan rate of 10,000 mV/s). This performance is an order of magnitude better than similar systems produced with conventional methods which cause materials restacking and aggregation. A following ERC PoC grant (2D-USD, Project-Number 620189) is currently focussed on up-scaling the production of thin-films deposition methods based on ultrasonic spray for the production of large-area electrodes for supercapacitors applications. In this proposal we want to explore the new concept of manufacturing conductive, robust, thin, easily assembled electrode and solid electrolytes to realize highly-flexible and all-solid-state supercapacitors by ink-jet printing. This opportunity is particularly relevant to the electronics and portable-device industry and offers the possibility to solve flammability issues, maintaining light weight, flexibility, transparency and portability. In order to do so it will be imperative to develop ink-jet printing methods and techniques. We believe our combination of unique materials and cost-effective, robust and production-scalable process of ultra- thin ink-jet printing will enable us to compete for significant global market opportunities in the energy-storage space.
Summary
This proposal will determine the technical-economic viability of scaling-up ultra-thin, ink-jet printed films based on liquid-phase exfoliated single atomic layers of a range of nanomaterials. The PI has developed methods to produce in liquid nanosheets of a range of layered materials such as graphene, transition metal oxides, etc. These 2D-materials have immediate and far-reaching potential in several high-impact technological applications such as microelectronics, composites and energy harvesting and storage. 2DNanoCaps (ERC ref: 278516) has demonstrated that lab-scale ultra-thin graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes result in unusually high-power and extremely long device life-time (100% capacitance retention for 5000 charge-discharge cycles at the high power scan rate of 10,000 mV/s). This performance is an order of magnitude better than similar systems produced with conventional methods which cause materials restacking and aggregation. A following ERC PoC grant (2D-USD, Project-Number 620189) is currently focussed on up-scaling the production of thin-films deposition methods based on ultrasonic spray for the production of large-area electrodes for supercapacitors applications. In this proposal we want to explore the new concept of manufacturing conductive, robust, thin, easily assembled electrode and solid electrolytes to realize highly-flexible and all-solid-state supercapacitors by ink-jet printing. This opportunity is particularly relevant to the electronics and portable-device industry and offers the possibility to solve flammability issues, maintaining light weight, flexibility, transparency and portability. In order to do so it will be imperative to develop ink-jet printing methods and techniques. We believe our combination of unique materials and cost-effective, robust and production-scalable process of ultra- thin ink-jet printing will enable us to compete for significant global market opportunities in the energy-storage space.
Max ERC Funding
149 774 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-04-01, End date: 2016-09-30
Project acronym 2D-USD
Project Ultrasonic Spray Deposition: Enabling new 2D based technologies
Researcher (PI) Valeria NICOLOSI
Host Institution (HI) THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Country Ireland
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2013-PoC
Summary This proposal will determine the technical and economic viability of scaling up ultra-thin film deposition processes for exfoliated single atomic layers.
The PI has developed methods to produce exfoliated nanosheets from a range of layered materials such as graphene, transition metal chalcogenides and transition metal oxides. These 2D materials have immediate and far-reaching potential in several high-impact technological applications such as microelectronics, composites and energy harvesting and storage.
2DNanoCaps (ERC ref: 278516) has already demonstrated that lab-scale ultra-thin graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes for energy storage result in unusually high power performance and extremely long device life-time (100% capacitance retention for 5000 charge-discharge cycles at the high power scan rate of 10,000 mV/s). This performance is remarkable- an order of magnitude better than similar systems produced with more conventional methods, which cause materials restacking and aggregation. 2D nanosheets also offer the chance of exploring the unique possibility of manufacturing conductive, robust, thin, easily assembled electrode and solid electrolytes to realize highly flexible and all-solid-state supercapacitors. This opportunity is particularly relevant from the industrial point of view especially in relation to the flammability issues of the electrolytes used for commercial energy storage devices at present.
In order to develop and exploit any of the applications listed above, it will be imperative to develop deposition methods and techniques capable of obtaining industrial-scale “sheet-like” coverage, where flake re-aggregation is avoided.
We believe our combination of unique material properties and cost effective, robust and production-scalable process of ultra-thin deposition will enable us to compete for significant global market opportunities in the energy-storage space
Summary
This proposal will determine the technical and economic viability of scaling up ultra-thin film deposition processes for exfoliated single atomic layers.
The PI has developed methods to produce exfoliated nanosheets from a range of layered materials such as graphene, transition metal chalcogenides and transition metal oxides. These 2D materials have immediate and far-reaching potential in several high-impact technological applications such as microelectronics, composites and energy harvesting and storage.
2DNanoCaps (ERC ref: 278516) has already demonstrated that lab-scale ultra-thin graphene-based supercapacitor electrodes for energy storage result in unusually high power performance and extremely long device life-time (100% capacitance retention for 5000 charge-discharge cycles at the high power scan rate of 10,000 mV/s). This performance is remarkable- an order of magnitude better than similar systems produced with more conventional methods, which cause materials restacking and aggregation. 2D nanosheets also offer the chance of exploring the unique possibility of manufacturing conductive, robust, thin, easily assembled electrode and solid electrolytes to realize highly flexible and all-solid-state supercapacitors. This opportunity is particularly relevant from the industrial point of view especially in relation to the flammability issues of the electrolytes used for commercial energy storage devices at present.
In order to develop and exploit any of the applications listed above, it will be imperative to develop deposition methods and techniques capable of obtaining industrial-scale “sheet-like” coverage, where flake re-aggregation is avoided.
We believe our combination of unique material properties and cost effective, robust and production-scalable process of ultra-thin deposition will enable us to compete for significant global market opportunities in the energy-storage space
Max ERC Funding
148 021 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-01-01, End date: 2014-12-31
Project acronym 2DNANOCAPS
Project Next Generation of 2D-Nanomaterials: Enabling Supercapacitor Development
Researcher (PI) Valeria Nicolosi
Host Institution (HI) THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Country Ireland
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary Climate change and the decreasing availability of fossil fuels require society to move towards sustainable and renewable resources. 2DNanoCaps will focus on electrochemical energy storage, specifically supercapacitors. In terms of performance supercapacitors fill up the gap between batteries and the classical capacitors. Whereas batteries possess a high energy density but low power density, supercapacitors possess high power density but low energy density. Efforts are currently dedicated to move supercapacitors towards high energy density and high power density performance. Improvements have been achieved in the last few years due to the use of new electrode nanomaterials and the design of new hybrid faradic/capacitive systems. We recognize, however, that we are reaching a newer limit beyond which we will only see small incremental improvements. The main reason for this being the intrinsic difficulty in handling and processing materials at the nano-scale and the lack of communication across different scientific disciplines. I plan to use a multidisciplinary approach, where novel nanomaterials, existing knowledge on nano-scale processing and established expertise in device fabrication and testing will be brought together to focus on creating more efficient supercapacitor technologies. 2DNanoCaps will exploit liquid phase exfoliated two-dimensional nanomaterials such as transition metal oxides, layered metal chalcogenides and graphene as electrode materials. Electrodes will be ultra-thin (capacitance and thickness of the electrodes are inversely proportional), conductive, with high dielectric constants. Intercalation of ions between the assembled 2D flakes will be also achievable, providing pseudo-capacitance. The research here proposed will be initially based on fundamental laboratory studies, recognising that this holds the key to achieving step-change in supercapacitors, but also includes scaling-up and hybridisation as final objectives.
Summary
Climate change and the decreasing availability of fossil fuels require society to move towards sustainable and renewable resources. 2DNanoCaps will focus on electrochemical energy storage, specifically supercapacitors. In terms of performance supercapacitors fill up the gap between batteries and the classical capacitors. Whereas batteries possess a high energy density but low power density, supercapacitors possess high power density but low energy density. Efforts are currently dedicated to move supercapacitors towards high energy density and high power density performance. Improvements have been achieved in the last few years due to the use of new electrode nanomaterials and the design of new hybrid faradic/capacitive systems. We recognize, however, that we are reaching a newer limit beyond which we will only see small incremental improvements. The main reason for this being the intrinsic difficulty in handling and processing materials at the nano-scale and the lack of communication across different scientific disciplines. I plan to use a multidisciplinary approach, where novel nanomaterials, existing knowledge on nano-scale processing and established expertise in device fabrication and testing will be brought together to focus on creating more efficient supercapacitor technologies. 2DNanoCaps will exploit liquid phase exfoliated two-dimensional nanomaterials such as transition metal oxides, layered metal chalcogenides and graphene as electrode materials. Electrodes will be ultra-thin (capacitance and thickness of the electrodes are inversely proportional), conductive, with high dielectric constants. Intercalation of ions between the assembled 2D flakes will be also achievable, providing pseudo-capacitance. The research here proposed will be initially based on fundamental laboratory studies, recognising that this holds the key to achieving step-change in supercapacitors, but also includes scaling-up and hybridisation as final objectives.
Max ERC Funding
1 501 296 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-10-01, End date: 2016-09-30
Project acronym 2F4BIODYN
Project Two-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for the Exploration of Biomolecular Dynamics
Researcher (PI) Fabien Ferrage
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Country France
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary The paradigm of the structure-function relationship in proteins is outdated. Biological macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies are highly dynamic objects. Evidence that their motions are of utmost importance to their functions is regularly identified. The understanding of the physical chemistry of biological processes at an atomic level has to rely not only on the description of structure but also on the characterization of molecular motions.
The investigation of protein motions will be undertaken with a very innovative methodological approach in nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation. In order to widen the ranges of frequencies at which local motions in proteins are probed, we will first use and develop new techniques for a prototype shuttle system for the measurement of relaxation at low fields on a high-field NMR spectrometer. Second, we will develop a novel system: a set of low-field NMR spectrometers designed as accessories for high-field spectrometers. Used in conjunction with the shuttle, this system will offer (i) the sensitivity and resolution (i.e. atomic level information) of a high-field spectrometer (ii) the access to low fields of a relaxometer and (iii) the ability to measure a wide variety of relaxation rates with high accuracy. This system will benefit from the latest technology in homogeneous permanent magnet development to allow a control of spin systems identical to that of a high-resolution probe. This new apparatus will open the way to the use of NMR relaxation at low fields for the refinement of protein motions at an atomic scale.
Applications of this novel approach will focus on the bright side of protein dynamics: (i) the largely unexplored dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins, and (ii) domain motions in large proteins. In both cases, we will investigate a series of diverse protein systems with implications in development, cancer and immunity.
Summary
The paradigm of the structure-function relationship in proteins is outdated. Biological macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies are highly dynamic objects. Evidence that their motions are of utmost importance to their functions is regularly identified. The understanding of the physical chemistry of biological processes at an atomic level has to rely not only on the description of structure but also on the characterization of molecular motions.
The investigation of protein motions will be undertaken with a very innovative methodological approach in nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation. In order to widen the ranges of frequencies at which local motions in proteins are probed, we will first use and develop new techniques for a prototype shuttle system for the measurement of relaxation at low fields on a high-field NMR spectrometer. Second, we will develop a novel system: a set of low-field NMR spectrometers designed as accessories for high-field spectrometers. Used in conjunction with the shuttle, this system will offer (i) the sensitivity and resolution (i.e. atomic level information) of a high-field spectrometer (ii) the access to low fields of a relaxometer and (iii) the ability to measure a wide variety of relaxation rates with high accuracy. This system will benefit from the latest technology in homogeneous permanent magnet development to allow a control of spin systems identical to that of a high-resolution probe. This new apparatus will open the way to the use of NMR relaxation at low fields for the refinement of protein motions at an atomic scale.
Applications of this novel approach will focus on the bright side of protein dynamics: (i) the largely unexplored dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins, and (ii) domain motions in large proteins. In both cases, we will investigate a series of diverse protein systems with implications in development, cancer and immunity.
Max ERC Funding
1 462 080 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym 2G-CSAFE
Project Combustion of Sustainable Alternative Fuels for Engines used in aeronautics and automotives
Researcher (PI) Philippe Dagaut
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Country France
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary This project aims at promoting sustainable combustion technologies for transport via validation of advanced combustion kinetic models obtained using sophisticated new laboratory experiments, engines, and theoretical computations, breaking through the current frontier of knowledge. It will focus on the unexplored kinetics of ignition and combustion of 2nd generation (2G) biofuels and blends with conventional fuels, which should provide energy safety and sustainability to Europe. The motivation is that no accurate kinetic models are available for the ignition, oxidation and combustion of 2G-biofuels, and improved ignition control is needed for new compression ignition engines. Crucial information is missing: data from well characterised experiments on combustion-generated pollutants and data on key-intermediates for fuels ignition in new engines.
To provide that knowledge new well-instrumented complementary experiments and kinetic modelling will be used. Measurements of key-intermediates, stables species, and pollutants will be performed. New ignition control strategies will be designed, opening new technological horizons. Kinetic modelling will be used for rationalising the results. Due to the complexity of 2G-biofuels and their unusual composition, innovative surrogates will be designed. Kinetic models for surrogate fuels will be generalised for extension to other compounds. The experimental results, together with ab-initio and detailed modelling, will serve to characterise the kinetics of ignition, combustion, and pollutants formation of fuels including 2G biofuels, and provide relevant data and models.
This research is risky because this is (i) the 1st effort to measure radicals by reactor/CRDS coupling, (ii) the 1st effort to use a μ-channel reactor to build ignition databases for conventional and bio-fuels, (iii) the 1st effort to design and use controlled generation and injection of reactive species to control ignition/combustion in compression ignition engines
Summary
This project aims at promoting sustainable combustion technologies for transport via validation of advanced combustion kinetic models obtained using sophisticated new laboratory experiments, engines, and theoretical computations, breaking through the current frontier of knowledge. It will focus on the unexplored kinetics of ignition and combustion of 2nd generation (2G) biofuels and blends with conventional fuels, which should provide energy safety and sustainability to Europe. The motivation is that no accurate kinetic models are available for the ignition, oxidation and combustion of 2G-biofuels, and improved ignition control is needed for new compression ignition engines. Crucial information is missing: data from well characterised experiments on combustion-generated pollutants and data on key-intermediates for fuels ignition in new engines.
To provide that knowledge new well-instrumented complementary experiments and kinetic modelling will be used. Measurements of key-intermediates, stables species, and pollutants will be performed. New ignition control strategies will be designed, opening new technological horizons. Kinetic modelling will be used for rationalising the results. Due to the complexity of 2G-biofuels and their unusual composition, innovative surrogates will be designed. Kinetic models for surrogate fuels will be generalised for extension to other compounds. The experimental results, together with ab-initio and detailed modelling, will serve to characterise the kinetics of ignition, combustion, and pollutants formation of fuels including 2G biofuels, and provide relevant data and models.
This research is risky because this is (i) the 1st effort to measure radicals by reactor/CRDS coupling, (ii) the 1st effort to use a μ-channel reactor to build ignition databases for conventional and bio-fuels, (iii) the 1st effort to design and use controlled generation and injection of reactive species to control ignition/combustion in compression ignition engines
Max ERC Funding
2 498 450 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-12-01, End date: 2016-11-30
Project acronym 3CBIOTECH
Project Cold Carbon Catabolism of Microbial Communities underprinning a Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Economy
Researcher (PI) Gavin James Collins
Host Institution (HI) NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND GALWAY
Country Ireland
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS9, ERC-2010-StG_20091118
Summary The applicant will collaborate with Irish, European and U.S.-based colleagues to develop a sustainable biorefinery and bioenergy industry in Ireland and Europe. The focus of this ERC Starting Grant will be the application of classical microbiological, physiological and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize microbial communities underpinning novel and innovative, low-temperature, anaerobic waste (and other biomass) conversion technologies, including municipal wastewater treatment and, demonstration- and full-scale biorefinery applications.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a naturally-occurring process, which is widely applied for the conversion of waste to methane-containing biogas. Low-temperature (<20 degrees C) AD has been applied by the applicant as a cost-effective alternative to mesophilic (c. 35C) AD for the treatment of several waste categories. However, the microbiology of low-temperature AD is poorly understood. The applicant will work with microbial consortia isolated from anaerobic bioreactors, which have been operated for long-term experiments (>3.5 years), and include organic acid-oxidizing, hydrogen-producing syntrophic microbes and hydrogen-consuming methanogens. A major focus of the project will be the ecophysiology of psychrotolerant and psychrophilic methanogens already identified and cultivated by the applicant. The project will also investigate the role(s) of poorly-understood Crenarchaeota populations and homoacetogenic bacteria, in complex consortia. The host organization is a leading player in the microbiology of waste-to-energy applications. The applicant will train a team of scientists in all aspects of the microbiology and bioengineering of biomass conversion systems.
Summary
The applicant will collaborate with Irish, European and U.S.-based colleagues to develop a sustainable biorefinery and bioenergy industry in Ireland and Europe. The focus of this ERC Starting Grant will be the application of classical microbiological, physiological and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize microbial communities underpinning novel and innovative, low-temperature, anaerobic waste (and other biomass) conversion technologies, including municipal wastewater treatment and, demonstration- and full-scale biorefinery applications.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a naturally-occurring process, which is widely applied for the conversion of waste to methane-containing biogas. Low-temperature (<20 degrees C) AD has been applied by the applicant as a cost-effective alternative to mesophilic (c. 35C) AD for the treatment of several waste categories. However, the microbiology of low-temperature AD is poorly understood. The applicant will work with microbial consortia isolated from anaerobic bioreactors, which have been operated for long-term experiments (>3.5 years), and include organic acid-oxidizing, hydrogen-producing syntrophic microbes and hydrogen-consuming methanogens. A major focus of the project will be the ecophysiology of psychrotolerant and psychrophilic methanogens already identified and cultivated by the applicant. The project will also investigate the role(s) of poorly-understood Crenarchaeota populations and homoacetogenic bacteria, in complex consortia. The host organization is a leading player in the microbiology of waste-to-energy applications. The applicant will train a team of scientists in all aspects of the microbiology and bioengineering of biomass conversion systems.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 797 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-05-01, End date: 2016-04-30
Project acronym 3D-BioMat
Project Deciphering biomineralization mechanisms through 3D explorations of mesoscale crystalline structure in calcareous biomaterials
Researcher (PI) VIRGINIE CHAMARD
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Country France
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE3, ERC-2016-COG
Summary The fundamental 3D-BioMat project aims at providing a biomineralization model to explain the formation of microscopic calcareous single-crystals produced by living organisms. Although these crystals present a wide variety of shapes, associated to various organic materials, the observation of a nanoscale granular structure common to almost all calcareous crystallizing organisms, associated to an extended crystalline coherence, underlies a generic biomineralization and assembly process. A key to building realistic scenarios of biomineralization is to reveal the crystalline architecture, at the mesoscale, (i. e., over a few granules), which none of the existing nano-characterization tools is able to provide.
3D-BioMat is based on the recognized PI’s expertise in the field of synchrotron coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy. It will extend the PI’s disruptive pioneering microscopy formalism, towards an innovative high-throughput approach able at giving access to the 3D mesoscale image of the crystalline properties (crystal-line coherence, crystal plane tilts and strains) with the required flexibility, nanoscale resolution, and non-invasiveness.
This achievement will be used to timely reveal the generics of the mesoscale crystalline structure through the pioneering explorations of a vast variety of crystalline biominerals produced by the famous Pinctada mar-garitifera oyster shell, and thereby build a realistic biomineralization scenario.
The inferred biomineralization pathways, including both physico-chemical pathways and biological controls, will ultimately be validated by comparing the mesoscale structures produced by biomimetic samples with the biogenic ones. Beyond deciphering one of the most intriguing questions of material nanosciences, 3D-BioMat may contribute to new climate models, pave the way for new routes in material synthesis and supply answers to the pearl-culture calcification problems.
Summary
The fundamental 3D-BioMat project aims at providing a biomineralization model to explain the formation of microscopic calcareous single-crystals produced by living organisms. Although these crystals present a wide variety of shapes, associated to various organic materials, the observation of a nanoscale granular structure common to almost all calcareous crystallizing organisms, associated to an extended crystalline coherence, underlies a generic biomineralization and assembly process. A key to building realistic scenarios of biomineralization is to reveal the crystalline architecture, at the mesoscale, (i. e., over a few granules), which none of the existing nano-characterization tools is able to provide.
3D-BioMat is based on the recognized PI’s expertise in the field of synchrotron coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy. It will extend the PI’s disruptive pioneering microscopy formalism, towards an innovative high-throughput approach able at giving access to the 3D mesoscale image of the crystalline properties (crystal-line coherence, crystal plane tilts and strains) with the required flexibility, nanoscale resolution, and non-invasiveness.
This achievement will be used to timely reveal the generics of the mesoscale crystalline structure through the pioneering explorations of a vast variety of crystalline biominerals produced by the famous Pinctada mar-garitifera oyster shell, and thereby build a realistic biomineralization scenario.
The inferred biomineralization pathways, including both physico-chemical pathways and biological controls, will ultimately be validated by comparing the mesoscale structures produced by biomimetic samples with the biogenic ones. Beyond deciphering one of the most intriguing questions of material nanosciences, 3D-BioMat may contribute to new climate models, pave the way for new routes in material synthesis and supply answers to the pearl-culture calcification problems.
Max ERC Funding
1 966 429 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-03-01, End date: 2022-08-31
Project acronym 3D-CAP
Project 3D micro-supercapacitors for embedded electronics
Researcher (PI) David Sarinn PECH
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Country France
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE7, ERC-2017-COG
Summary The realization of high-performance micro-supercapacitors is currently a big challenge but the ineluctable applications requiring such miniaturized energy storage devices are continuously emerging, from wearable electronic gadgets to wireless sensor networks. Although they store less energy than micro-batteries, micro-supercapacitors can be charged and discharged very rapidly and exhibit a quasi-unlimited lifetime. The global scientific research is consequently largely focused on the improvement of their capacitance and energetic performances. However, to date, they are still far from being able to power sensors or electronic components.
Here I propose a 3D paradigm shift of micro-supercapacitor design to ensure increased energy storage capacities. Hydrous ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) is a pseudocapacitive material for supercapacitor electrode well-known for its high capacitance. A thin-film of ruthenium will be deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), followed by an electrochemical oxidation process, onto a high-surface-area 3D current collector prepared via an ingenious dynamic template built with hydrogen bubbles. The structural features of these 3D architectures will be controllably tailored by the processing methodologies. These electrodes will be combined with an innovative electrolyte in solid form (a protic ionogel) able to operate over an extended cell voltage. In a parallel investigation, we will develop a fundamental understanding of electrochemical reactions occurring at the nanoscale with a FIB-patterned (Focused Ion Beam) RuO2 nano-supercapacitor. The resulting 3D micro-supercapacitors should display extremely high power, long lifetime and – for the first time – energy densities competing or even exceeding that of micro-batteries. As a key achievement, prototypes will be designed using a new concept based on a self-adaptative micro-supercapacitors matrix, which arranges itself according to the global amount of energy stored.
Summary
The realization of high-performance micro-supercapacitors is currently a big challenge but the ineluctable applications requiring such miniaturized energy storage devices are continuously emerging, from wearable electronic gadgets to wireless sensor networks. Although they store less energy than micro-batteries, micro-supercapacitors can be charged and discharged very rapidly and exhibit a quasi-unlimited lifetime. The global scientific research is consequently largely focused on the improvement of their capacitance and energetic performances. However, to date, they are still far from being able to power sensors or electronic components.
Here I propose a 3D paradigm shift of micro-supercapacitor design to ensure increased energy storage capacities. Hydrous ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) is a pseudocapacitive material for supercapacitor electrode well-known for its high capacitance. A thin-film of ruthenium will be deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), followed by an electrochemical oxidation process, onto a high-surface-area 3D current collector prepared via an ingenious dynamic template built with hydrogen bubbles. The structural features of these 3D architectures will be controllably tailored by the processing methodologies. These electrodes will be combined with an innovative electrolyte in solid form (a protic ionogel) able to operate over an extended cell voltage. In a parallel investigation, we will develop a fundamental understanding of electrochemical reactions occurring at the nanoscale with a FIB-patterned (Focused Ion Beam) RuO2 nano-supercapacitor. The resulting 3D micro-supercapacitors should display extremely high power, long lifetime and – for the first time – energy densities competing or even exceeding that of micro-batteries. As a key achievement, prototypes will be designed using a new concept based on a self-adaptative micro-supercapacitors matrix, which arranges itself according to the global amount of energy stored.
Max ERC Funding
1 673 438 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-04-01, End date: 2023-03-31
