Project acronym ANALYTICAL SOCIOLOGY
Project Analytical Sociology: Theoretical Developments and Empirical Research
Researcher (PI) Mats Peter Hedstroem
Host Institution (HI) LINKOPINGS UNIVERSITET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH2, ERC-2012-ADG_20120411
Summary This proposal outlines a highly ambitious and path-breaking research program. Through a tightly integrated package of basic theoretical work, strategic empirical research projects, international workshops, and a large number of publications in leading journals, the research program seeks to move sociology in a more analytical direction.
One part of the research program focuses on the epistemological and methodological foundations of analytical sociology, an approach to sociological theory and research that currently receives considerable attention in the international scholarly community. This work will be organized around two core themes: (1) the principles of mechanism-based explanations and (2) the micro-macro link.
The empirical research analyzes in great detail the ethnic, gender, and socio-economic segregation of key interaction domains in Sweden using the approach of analytical sociology. The interaction domains focused upon are schools, workplaces and neighborhoods; domains where people spend a considerable part of their time, where much of the social interaction between people takes place, where identities are formed, and where important resources are distributed.
Large-scale longitudinal micro data on the entire Swedish population, unique longitudinal data on social networks within school classes, and various agent-based simulation techniques, are used to better understand the processes through which schools, workplaces and neighborhoods become segregated along various dimensions, how the domains interact with one another, and how the structure and extent of segregation affects diverse social and economic outcomes.
Summary
This proposal outlines a highly ambitious and path-breaking research program. Through a tightly integrated package of basic theoretical work, strategic empirical research projects, international workshops, and a large number of publications in leading journals, the research program seeks to move sociology in a more analytical direction.
One part of the research program focuses on the epistemological and methodological foundations of analytical sociology, an approach to sociological theory and research that currently receives considerable attention in the international scholarly community. This work will be organized around two core themes: (1) the principles of mechanism-based explanations and (2) the micro-macro link.
The empirical research analyzes in great detail the ethnic, gender, and socio-economic segregation of key interaction domains in Sweden using the approach of analytical sociology. The interaction domains focused upon are schools, workplaces and neighborhoods; domains where people spend a considerable part of their time, where much of the social interaction between people takes place, where identities are formed, and where important resources are distributed.
Large-scale longitudinal micro data on the entire Swedish population, unique longitudinal data on social networks within school classes, and various agent-based simulation techniques, are used to better understand the processes through which schools, workplaces and neighborhoods become segregated along various dimensions, how the domains interact with one another, and how the structure and extent of segregation affects diverse social and economic outcomes.
Max ERC Funding
1 745 098 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-03-01, End date: 2018-02-28
Project acronym ASD
Project Atomistic Spin-Dynamics; Methodology and Applications
Researcher (PI) Olof Ragnar Eriksson
Host Institution (HI) UPPSALA UNIVERSITET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2009-AdG
Summary Our aim is to provide a theoretical framework for studies of dynamical aspects of magnetic materials and magnetisation reversal, which has potential for applications for magnetic data storage and magnetic memory devices. The project focuses on developing and using an atomistic spin dynamics simulation method. Our goal is to identify novel materials and device geometries with improved performance. The scientific questions which will be addressed concern the understanding of the fundamental temporal limit of magnetisation switching and reversal, and the mechanisms which govern this limit. The methodological developments concern the ability to, from first principles theory, calculate the interatomic exchange parameters of materials in general, in particular for correlated electron materials, via the use of dynamical mean-field theory. The theoretical development also involves an atomistic spin dynamics simulation method, which once it has been established, will be released as a public software package. The proposed theoretical research will be intimately connected to world-leading experimental efforts, especially in Europe where a leading activity in experimental studies of magnetisation dynamics has been established. The ambition with this project is to become world-leading in the theory of simulating spin-dynamics phenomena, and to promote education and training of young researchers. To achieve our goals we will build up an open and lively environment, where the advances in the theoretical knowledge of spin-dynamics phenomena will be used to address important questions in information technology. In this environment the next generation research leaders will be fostered and trained, thus ensuring that the society of tomorrow is equipped with the scientific competence to tackle the challenges of our future.
Summary
Our aim is to provide a theoretical framework for studies of dynamical aspects of magnetic materials and magnetisation reversal, which has potential for applications for magnetic data storage and magnetic memory devices. The project focuses on developing and using an atomistic spin dynamics simulation method. Our goal is to identify novel materials and device geometries with improved performance. The scientific questions which will be addressed concern the understanding of the fundamental temporal limit of magnetisation switching and reversal, and the mechanisms which govern this limit. The methodological developments concern the ability to, from first principles theory, calculate the interatomic exchange parameters of materials in general, in particular for correlated electron materials, via the use of dynamical mean-field theory. The theoretical development also involves an atomistic spin dynamics simulation method, which once it has been established, will be released as a public software package. The proposed theoretical research will be intimately connected to world-leading experimental efforts, especially in Europe where a leading activity in experimental studies of magnetisation dynamics has been established. The ambition with this project is to become world-leading in the theory of simulating spin-dynamics phenomena, and to promote education and training of young researchers. To achieve our goals we will build up an open and lively environment, where the advances in the theoretical knowledge of spin-dynamics phenomena will be used to address important questions in information technology. In this environment the next generation research leaders will be fostered and trained, thus ensuring that the society of tomorrow is equipped with the scientific competence to tackle the challenges of our future.
Max ERC Funding
2 130 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-01-01, End date: 2014-12-31
Project acronym ASTROGEOBIOSPHERE
Project An astronomical perspective on Earth's geological record and evolution of life
Researcher (PI) Birger Schmitz
Host Institution (HI) MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary "This project will develop the use of relict, extraterrestrial minerals in Archean to Cenozoic slowly formed sediments as tracers of events in the solar system and cosmos, and to decipher the possible relation between such events and evolution of life and environmental change on Earth. There has been consensus that it would not be possible to reconstruct variations in the flux of different types of meteorites to Earth through the ages. Meteorite falls are rare and meteorites weather and decay rapidly on the Earth surface. However, the last years we have developed the first realistic approach to circumvent these problems. Almost all meteorite types contain a small fraction of spinel minerals that survives weathering and can be recovered from large samples of condensed sediments of any age. Inside the spinels we can locate by synchrotron-light X-ray tomography 1-30 micron sized inclusions of most of the other minerals that made up the original meteorite. With cutting-edge frontier microanalyses such as Ne-21 (solar wind, galactic rays), oxygen isotopes (meteorite group and type) and cosmic ray tracks (supernova densities) we will be able to unravel from the geological record fundamental new information about the solar system at specific times through the past 3.8 Gyr. Variations in flux and types of meteorites may reflect solar-system and galaxy gravity disturbances as well as the sequence of disruptions of the parent bodies for meteorite types known and not yet known. Cosmic-ray tracks in spinels may identify the galactic year (230 Myr) in the geological record. For the first time it will be possible to systematically relate major global biotic and tectonic events, changes in sea-level, climate and asteroid and comet impacts to what happened in the larger astronomical realm. In essence, the project is a robust approach to establish a pioneer ""astrostratigraphy"" for Earth's geological record, complementing existing bio-, chemo-, and magnetostratigraphies."
Summary
"This project will develop the use of relict, extraterrestrial minerals in Archean to Cenozoic slowly formed sediments as tracers of events in the solar system and cosmos, and to decipher the possible relation between such events and evolution of life and environmental change on Earth. There has been consensus that it would not be possible to reconstruct variations in the flux of different types of meteorites to Earth through the ages. Meteorite falls are rare and meteorites weather and decay rapidly on the Earth surface. However, the last years we have developed the first realistic approach to circumvent these problems. Almost all meteorite types contain a small fraction of spinel minerals that survives weathering and can be recovered from large samples of condensed sediments of any age. Inside the spinels we can locate by synchrotron-light X-ray tomography 1-30 micron sized inclusions of most of the other minerals that made up the original meteorite. With cutting-edge frontier microanalyses such as Ne-21 (solar wind, galactic rays), oxygen isotopes (meteorite group and type) and cosmic ray tracks (supernova densities) we will be able to unravel from the geological record fundamental new information about the solar system at specific times through the past 3.8 Gyr. Variations in flux and types of meteorites may reflect solar-system and galaxy gravity disturbances as well as the sequence of disruptions of the parent bodies for meteorite types known and not yet known. Cosmic-ray tracks in spinels may identify the galactic year (230 Myr) in the geological record. For the first time it will be possible to systematically relate major global biotic and tectonic events, changes in sea-level, climate and asteroid and comet impacts to what happened in the larger astronomical realm. In essence, the project is a robust approach to establish a pioneer ""astrostratigraphy"" for Earth's geological record, complementing existing bio-, chemo-, and magnetostratigraphies."
Max ERC Funding
1 950 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-04-01, End date: 2017-03-31
Project acronym AXION
Project Axions: From Heaven to Earth
Researcher (PI) Frank Wilczek
Host Institution (HI) STOCKHOLMS UNIVERSITET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE2, ERC-2016-ADG
Summary Axions are hypothetical particles whose existence would solve two major problems: the strong P, T problem (a major blemish on the standard model); and the dark matter problem. It is a most important goal to either observe or rule out the existence of a cosmic axion background. It appears that decisive observations may be possible, but only after orchestrating insight from specialities ranging from quantum field theory and astrophysical modeling to ultra-low noise quantum measurement theory. Detailed predictions for the magnitude and structure of the cosmic axion background depend on cosmological and astrophysical modeling, which can be constrained by theoretical insight and numerical simulation. In parallel, we must optimize strategies for extracting accessible signals from that very weakly interacting source.
While the existence of axions as fundamental particles remains hypothetical, the equations governing how axions interact with electromagnetic fields also govern (with different parameters) how certain materials interact with electromagnetic fields. Thus those materials embody “emergent” axions. The equations have remarkable properties, which one can test in these materials, and possibly put to practical use.
Closely related to axions, mathematically, are anyons. Anyons are particle-like excitations that elude the familiar classification into bosons and fermions. Theoretical and numerical studies indicate that they are common emergent features of highly entangled states of matter in two dimensions. Recent work suggests the existence of states of matter, both natural and engineered, in which anyon dynamics is both important and experimentally accessible. Since the equations for anyons and axions are remarkably similar, and both have common, deep roots in symmetry and topology, it will be fruitful to consider them together.
Summary
Axions are hypothetical particles whose existence would solve two major problems: the strong P, T problem (a major blemish on the standard model); and the dark matter problem. It is a most important goal to either observe or rule out the existence of a cosmic axion background. It appears that decisive observations may be possible, but only after orchestrating insight from specialities ranging from quantum field theory and astrophysical modeling to ultra-low noise quantum measurement theory. Detailed predictions for the magnitude and structure of the cosmic axion background depend on cosmological and astrophysical modeling, which can be constrained by theoretical insight and numerical simulation. In parallel, we must optimize strategies for extracting accessible signals from that very weakly interacting source.
While the existence of axions as fundamental particles remains hypothetical, the equations governing how axions interact with electromagnetic fields also govern (with different parameters) how certain materials interact with electromagnetic fields. Thus those materials embody “emergent” axions. The equations have remarkable properties, which one can test in these materials, and possibly put to practical use.
Closely related to axions, mathematically, are anyons. Anyons are particle-like excitations that elude the familiar classification into bosons and fermions. Theoretical and numerical studies indicate that they are common emergent features of highly entangled states of matter in two dimensions. Recent work suggests the existence of states of matter, both natural and engineered, in which anyon dynamics is both important and experimentally accessible. Since the equations for anyons and axions are remarkably similar, and both have common, deep roots in symmetry and topology, it will be fruitful to consider them together.
Max ERC Funding
2 324 391 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-09-01, End date: 2022-08-31
Project acronym BATESON
Project Dissecting genotype-phenotype relationships using high-throughput genomics and carefully selected study populations
Researcher (PI) Leif Andersson
Host Institution (HI) UPPSALA UNIVERSITET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS2, ERC-2011-ADG_20110310
Summary A major aim in genome research is to reveal how genetic variation affects phenotypic variation. Here I propose to use high-throughput genomics (whole genome sequencing, transcriptome and epigenome analysis) to screen carefully selected study populations where the chances are particularly favourable to obtain novel insight into genotype-phenotype relationships. The ambition is to take discoveries all the way from phenotypic characterization to the identification of the genes and the actual genetic variant causing a phenotypic effect and to understanding the underlying functional mechanisms. The program will involve a fish (the Atlantic herring), a bird (the domestic chicken) and a mammal (the European rabbit). The Atlantic herring will be studied because it provides unique opportunities to study the genetics of adaptation in a natural population and because of the possibilities to revolutionize the fishery management of this economically important marine fish. We will generate a draft assembly of the herring genome and then perform whole genome resequencing of different populations to reveal the population structure and the loci underlying genetic adaptation. The European rabbit is an excellent model for studying the genetics of speciation due to the presence of two distinct subspecies on the Iberian Peninsula. The domestication of the rabbit is also particularly interesting because it is a recent event (about 1500 years ago) and it is well established that domestication happened from the wild rabbit population in southern France. Finally, the domestic chicken provides excellent opportunities for in depth functional studies since it is both a domestic animal harbouring a rich genetic diversity and an experimental organism.
(BATESON is the acronym for this proposal because Bateson (1902) pioneered the study of genotype-phenotype relationships in animals and used the chicken for this work.)
Summary
A major aim in genome research is to reveal how genetic variation affects phenotypic variation. Here I propose to use high-throughput genomics (whole genome sequencing, transcriptome and epigenome analysis) to screen carefully selected study populations where the chances are particularly favourable to obtain novel insight into genotype-phenotype relationships. The ambition is to take discoveries all the way from phenotypic characterization to the identification of the genes and the actual genetic variant causing a phenotypic effect and to understanding the underlying functional mechanisms. The program will involve a fish (the Atlantic herring), a bird (the domestic chicken) and a mammal (the European rabbit). The Atlantic herring will be studied because it provides unique opportunities to study the genetics of adaptation in a natural population and because of the possibilities to revolutionize the fishery management of this economically important marine fish. We will generate a draft assembly of the herring genome and then perform whole genome resequencing of different populations to reveal the population structure and the loci underlying genetic adaptation. The European rabbit is an excellent model for studying the genetics of speciation due to the presence of two distinct subspecies on the Iberian Peninsula. The domestication of the rabbit is also particularly interesting because it is a recent event (about 1500 years ago) and it is well established that domestication happened from the wild rabbit population in southern France. Finally, the domestic chicken provides excellent opportunities for in depth functional studies since it is both a domestic animal harbouring a rich genetic diversity and an experimental organism.
(BATESON is the acronym for this proposal because Bateson (1902) pioneered the study of genotype-phenotype relationships in animals and used the chicken for this work.)
Max ERC Funding
2 300 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-05-01, End date: 2017-04-30
Project acronym COMPASS
Project Colloids with complex interactions: from model atoms to colloidal recognition and bio-inspired self assembly
Researcher (PI) Peter Schurtenberger
Host Institution (HI) MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2013-ADG
Summary Self-assembly is the key construction principle that nature uses so successfully to fabricate its molecular machinery and highly elaborate structures. In this project we will follow nature’s strategies and make a concerted experimental and theoretical effort to study, understand and control self-assembly for a new generation of colloidal building blocks. Starting point will be recent advances in colloid synthesis strategies that have led to a spectacular array of colloids of different shapes, compositions, patterns and functionalities. These allow us to investigate the influence of anisotropy in shape and interactions on aggregation and self-assembly in colloidal suspensions and mixtures. Using responsive particles we will implement colloidal lock-and-key mechanisms and then assemble a library of “colloidal molecules” with well-defined and externally tunable binding sites using microfluidics-based and externally controlled fabrication and sorting principles. We will use them to explore the equilibrium phase behavior of particle systems interacting through a finite number of binding sites. In parallel, we will exploit them and investigate colloid self-assembly into well-defined nanostructures. Here we aim at achieving much more refined control than currently possible by implementing a protein-inspired approach to controlled self-assembly. We combine molecule-like colloidal building blocks that possess directional interactions and externally triggerable specific recognition sites with directed self-assembly where external fields not only facilitate assembly, but also allow fabricating novel structures. We will use the tunable combination of different contributions to the interaction potential between the colloidal building blocks and the ability to create chirality in the assembly to establish the requirements for the controlled formation of tubular shells and thus create a colloid-based minimal model of synthetic virus capsid proteins.
Summary
Self-assembly is the key construction principle that nature uses so successfully to fabricate its molecular machinery and highly elaborate structures. In this project we will follow nature’s strategies and make a concerted experimental and theoretical effort to study, understand and control self-assembly for a new generation of colloidal building blocks. Starting point will be recent advances in colloid synthesis strategies that have led to a spectacular array of colloids of different shapes, compositions, patterns and functionalities. These allow us to investigate the influence of anisotropy in shape and interactions on aggregation and self-assembly in colloidal suspensions and mixtures. Using responsive particles we will implement colloidal lock-and-key mechanisms and then assemble a library of “colloidal molecules” with well-defined and externally tunable binding sites using microfluidics-based and externally controlled fabrication and sorting principles. We will use them to explore the equilibrium phase behavior of particle systems interacting through a finite number of binding sites. In parallel, we will exploit them and investigate colloid self-assembly into well-defined nanostructures. Here we aim at achieving much more refined control than currently possible by implementing a protein-inspired approach to controlled self-assembly. We combine molecule-like colloidal building blocks that possess directional interactions and externally triggerable specific recognition sites with directed self-assembly where external fields not only facilitate assembly, but also allow fabricating novel structures. We will use the tunable combination of different contributions to the interaction potential between the colloidal building blocks and the ability to create chirality in the assembly to establish the requirements for the controlled formation of tubular shells and thus create a colloid-based minimal model of synthetic virus capsid proteins.
Max ERC Funding
2 498 040 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-02-01, End date: 2019-01-31
Project acronym CUSTOMER
Project Customizable Embedded Real-Time Systems: Challenges and Key Techniques
Researcher (PI) Yi WANG
Host Institution (HI) UPPSALA UNIVERSITET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE6, ERC-2018-ADG
Summary Today, many industrial products are defined by software and therefore customizable: their functionalities implemented by software can be modified and extended by dynamic software updates on demand. This trend towards customizable products is rapidly expanding into all domains of IT, including Embedded Real-Time Systems (ERTS) deployed in Cyber-Physical Systems such as cars, medical devices etc. However, the current state-of-practice in safety-critical systems allows hardly any modifications once they are put in operation. The lack of techniques to preserve crucial safety conditions for customizable systems severely restricts the benefits of advances in software-defined systems engineering.
CUSTOMER is to provide the missing paradigm and technology for building and updating ERTS after deployment – subject to stringent timing constraints, dynamic workloads, and limited resources on complex platforms. CUSTOMER explores research areas crossing two fields: Real-Time Computing and Formal Verification to develop the key techniques enabling (1) dynamic updates of ERTS in the field, (2) incremental updates over the products life time and (3) safe updates by verification to avoid updates that may compromise system safety.
CUSTOMER will develop a unified model-based framework supported with tools for the design, modelling, verification, deployment and update of ERTS, aiming at advancing the research fields by establishing the missing scientific foundation for multiprocessor real-time computing and providing the next generation of design tools with significantly enhanced capability and scalability increased by orders of magnitude compared with state-of-the-art tools e.g. UPPAAL.
Summary
Today, many industrial products are defined by software and therefore customizable: their functionalities implemented by software can be modified and extended by dynamic software updates on demand. This trend towards customizable products is rapidly expanding into all domains of IT, including Embedded Real-Time Systems (ERTS) deployed in Cyber-Physical Systems such as cars, medical devices etc. However, the current state-of-practice in safety-critical systems allows hardly any modifications once they are put in operation. The lack of techniques to preserve crucial safety conditions for customizable systems severely restricts the benefits of advances in software-defined systems engineering.
CUSTOMER is to provide the missing paradigm and technology for building and updating ERTS after deployment – subject to stringent timing constraints, dynamic workloads, and limited resources on complex platforms. CUSTOMER explores research areas crossing two fields: Real-Time Computing and Formal Verification to develop the key techniques enabling (1) dynamic updates of ERTS in the field, (2) incremental updates over the products life time and (3) safe updates by verification to avoid updates that may compromise system safety.
CUSTOMER will develop a unified model-based framework supported with tools for the design, modelling, verification, deployment and update of ERTS, aiming at advancing the research fields by establishing the missing scientific foundation for multiprocessor real-time computing and providing the next generation of design tools with significantly enhanced capability and scalability increased by orders of magnitude compared with state-of-the-art tools e.g. UPPAAL.
Max ERC Funding
2 499 894 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-10-01, End date: 2024-09-30
Project acronym DALDECS
Project Development and Application of Laser Diagnostic Techniques for Combustion Studies
Researcher (PI) Lars Eric Marcus Alden
Host Institution (HI) MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2009-AdG
Summary This project is directed towards development of new laser diagnostic techniques and a deepened physical understanding of more established techniques, aiming at new insights in phenomena related to combustion processes. These non-intrusive techniques with high resolution in space and time, will be used for measurements of key parameters, species concentrations and temperatures. The techniques to be used are; Non-linear optical techniques, mainly Polarization spectroscopy, PS. PS will mainly be developed for sensitive detection with high spatial resolution of "new" species in the IR region, e.g. individual hydrocarbons, toxic species as well as alkali metal compounds. Multiplex measurements of these species and temperature will be developed as well as 2D visualization. Quantitative measurements with high precision and accuracy; Laser induced fluorescence and Rayleigh/Raman scattering will be developed for quantitative measurements of species concentration and 2D temperatures. Also a new technique will be developed for single ended experiments based on picosecond LIDAR. Advanced imaging techniques; New high speed (10-100 kHz) visualization techniques as well as 3D and even 4D visualization will be developed. In order to properly visualize dense sprays we will develop Ballistic Imaging as well as a new technique based on structured illumination of the area of interest for suppression of multiple scattering which normally cause blurring effects. All techniques developed above will be used for key studies of phenomena related to various combustion phenomena; turbulent combustion, multiphase conversion processes, e.g. spray combustion and gasification/pyrolysis of solid bio fuels. The techniques will also be applied for development and physical understanding of how combustion could be influenced by plasma/electrical assistance. Finally, the techniques will be prepared for applications in industrial combustion apparatus, e.g. furnaces, gasturbines and IC engines
Summary
This project is directed towards development of new laser diagnostic techniques and a deepened physical understanding of more established techniques, aiming at new insights in phenomena related to combustion processes. These non-intrusive techniques with high resolution in space and time, will be used for measurements of key parameters, species concentrations and temperatures. The techniques to be used are; Non-linear optical techniques, mainly Polarization spectroscopy, PS. PS will mainly be developed for sensitive detection with high spatial resolution of "new" species in the IR region, e.g. individual hydrocarbons, toxic species as well as alkali metal compounds. Multiplex measurements of these species and temperature will be developed as well as 2D visualization. Quantitative measurements with high precision and accuracy; Laser induced fluorescence and Rayleigh/Raman scattering will be developed for quantitative measurements of species concentration and 2D temperatures. Also a new technique will be developed for single ended experiments based on picosecond LIDAR. Advanced imaging techniques; New high speed (10-100 kHz) visualization techniques as well as 3D and even 4D visualization will be developed. In order to properly visualize dense sprays we will develop Ballistic Imaging as well as a new technique based on structured illumination of the area of interest for suppression of multiple scattering which normally cause blurring effects. All techniques developed above will be used for key studies of phenomena related to various combustion phenomena; turbulent combustion, multiphase conversion processes, e.g. spray combustion and gasification/pyrolysis of solid bio fuels. The techniques will also be applied for development and physical understanding of how combustion could be influenced by plasma/electrical assistance. Finally, the techniques will be prepared for applications in industrial combustion apparatus, e.g. furnaces, gasturbines and IC engines
Max ERC Funding
2 466 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-02-01, End date: 2015-01-31
Project acronym DEVOCEAN
Project Impact of diatom evolution on the oceans
Researcher (PI) Daniel CONLEY
Host Institution (HI) LUNDS UNIVERSITET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2018-ADG
Summary Motivated by a series of recent discoveries, DEVOCEAN will provide the first comprehensive evaluation of the emergence of diatoms and their impact on the global biogeochemical cycle of silica, carbon and other nutrients that regulate ocean productivity and ultimately climate. I propose that the proliferation of phytoplankton that occurred after the Permian-Triassic extinction, in particular the diatoms, fundamentally influenced oceanic environments through the enhancement of carbon export to depth as part of the biological pump. Although molecular clocks suggest that diatoms evolved over 200 Ma ago, this result has been largely ignored because of the lack of diatoms in the geologic fossil record with most studies therefore focused on diversification during the Cenozoic where abundant diatom fossils are found. Much of the older fossil evidence has likely been destroyed by dissolution during diagenesis, subducted or is concealed deep within the Earth under many layers of rock. DEVOCEAN will provide evidence on diatom evolution and speciation in the geological record by examining formations representing locations in which diatoms are likely to have accumulated in ocean sediments. We will generate robust estimates of the timing and magnitude of dissolved Si drawdown following the origin of diatoms using the isotopic silicon composition of fossil sponge spicules and radiolarians. The project will also provide fundamental new insights into the timing of dissolved Si drawdown and other key events, which reorganized the distribution of carbon and nutrients in seawater, changing energy flows and productivity in the biological communities of the ancient oceans.
Summary
Motivated by a series of recent discoveries, DEVOCEAN will provide the first comprehensive evaluation of the emergence of diatoms and their impact on the global biogeochemical cycle of silica, carbon and other nutrients that regulate ocean productivity and ultimately climate. I propose that the proliferation of phytoplankton that occurred after the Permian-Triassic extinction, in particular the diatoms, fundamentally influenced oceanic environments through the enhancement of carbon export to depth as part of the biological pump. Although molecular clocks suggest that diatoms evolved over 200 Ma ago, this result has been largely ignored because of the lack of diatoms in the geologic fossil record with most studies therefore focused on diversification during the Cenozoic where abundant diatom fossils are found. Much of the older fossil evidence has likely been destroyed by dissolution during diagenesis, subducted or is concealed deep within the Earth under many layers of rock. DEVOCEAN will provide evidence on diatom evolution and speciation in the geological record by examining formations representing locations in which diatoms are likely to have accumulated in ocean sediments. We will generate robust estimates of the timing and magnitude of dissolved Si drawdown following the origin of diatoms using the isotopic silicon composition of fossil sponge spicules and radiolarians. The project will also provide fundamental new insights into the timing of dissolved Si drawdown and other key events, which reorganized the distribution of carbon and nutrients in seawater, changing energy flows and productivity in the biological communities of the ancient oceans.
Max ERC Funding
2 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-10-01, End date: 2024-09-30
Project acronym DM
Project Dirac Materials
Researcher (PI) Alexander Balatsky
Host Institution (HI) KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2012-ADG_20120216
Summary "The elegant Dirac equation, describing the linear dispersion (energy/momentum) relation of electrons at relativistic speeds, has profound consequences such as the prediction of antiparticles, reflection less tunneling (Klein paradox) and others. Recent discovery of graphene and topological insulators (TI) highlights the scientific importance and technological promise of materials with “relativistic Dirac dispersion"" of electrons for functional materials and device applications with novel functionalities. One might use term ‘Dirac materials’ to encompass a subset of (materials) systems in which the low energy phase space for fermion excitations is reduced compared to conventional band structure predictions (i.e. point or lines of nodes vs. full Fermi Surface).
Dirac materials are characterized by universal low energy properties due to presence of the nodal excitations. It is this reduction of phase space due to additional symmetries that can be turned on and off that opens a new door to functionality of Dirac materials.
We propose to use the sensitivity of nodes in the electron spectrum of Dirac materials to induce controlled modifications of the Dirac points/lines via band structure engineering in artificial structures and via inelastic scattering processes with controlled doping. Proposed research will expand our theoretical understanding and guide design of materials and engineered geometries that allow tunable energy profiles of Dirac carriers."
Summary
"The elegant Dirac equation, describing the linear dispersion (energy/momentum) relation of electrons at relativistic speeds, has profound consequences such as the prediction of antiparticles, reflection less tunneling (Klein paradox) and others. Recent discovery of graphene and topological insulators (TI) highlights the scientific importance and technological promise of materials with “relativistic Dirac dispersion"" of electrons for functional materials and device applications with novel functionalities. One might use term ‘Dirac materials’ to encompass a subset of (materials) systems in which the low energy phase space for fermion excitations is reduced compared to conventional band structure predictions (i.e. point or lines of nodes vs. full Fermi Surface).
Dirac materials are characterized by universal low energy properties due to presence of the nodal excitations. It is this reduction of phase space due to additional symmetries that can be turned on and off that opens a new door to functionality of Dirac materials.
We propose to use the sensitivity of nodes in the electron spectrum of Dirac materials to induce controlled modifications of the Dirac points/lines via band structure engineering in artificial structures and via inelastic scattering processes with controlled doping. Proposed research will expand our theoretical understanding and guide design of materials and engineered geometries that allow tunable energy profiles of Dirac carriers."
Max ERC Funding
1 700 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-04-01, End date: 2018-03-31
