Project acronym ACOULOMODE
Project Advanced coupling of low order combustor simulations with thermoacoustic modelling and controller design
Researcher (PI) Aimee Morgans
Host Institution (HI) IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary "Combustion is essential to the world’s energy generation and transport needs, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Mitigating its impact on the climate and human health, by reducing its associated emissions, is thus a priority. One significant challenge for gas-turbine combustion is combustion instability, which is currently inhibiting reductions in NOx emissions (these damage human health via a deterioration in air quality). Combustion instability is caused by a two-way coupling between unsteady combustion and acoustic waves - the large pressure oscillations that result can cause substantial mechanical damage. Currently, the lack of fast, accurate modelling tools for combustion instability, and the lack of reliable ways of suppressing it are severely hindering reductions in NOx emissions.
This proposal aims to make step improvements in both fast, accurate modelling of combustion instability, and in developing reliable active control strategies for its suppression. It will achieve this by coupling low order combustor models (these are fast, simplified models for simulating combustion instability) with advances in analytical modelling, CFD simulation, reduced order modelling and control theory tools. In particular:
* important advances in accurately incorporating the effect of entropy waves (temperature variations resulting from unsteady combustion) and non-linear flame models will be made;
* new active control strategies for achieving reliable suppression of combustion instability, including from within limit cycle oscillations, will be developed;
* an open-source low order combustor modelling tool will be developed and widely disseminated, opening access to researchers worldwide and improving communications between the fields of thermoacoustics and control theory.
Thus the proposal aims to use analytical and computational methods to contribute to achieving low NOx gas-turbine combustion, without the penalty of damaging combustion instability."
Summary
"Combustion is essential to the world’s energy generation and transport needs, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Mitigating its impact on the climate and human health, by reducing its associated emissions, is thus a priority. One significant challenge for gas-turbine combustion is combustion instability, which is currently inhibiting reductions in NOx emissions (these damage human health via a deterioration in air quality). Combustion instability is caused by a two-way coupling between unsteady combustion and acoustic waves - the large pressure oscillations that result can cause substantial mechanical damage. Currently, the lack of fast, accurate modelling tools for combustion instability, and the lack of reliable ways of suppressing it are severely hindering reductions in NOx emissions.
This proposal aims to make step improvements in both fast, accurate modelling of combustion instability, and in developing reliable active control strategies for its suppression. It will achieve this by coupling low order combustor models (these are fast, simplified models for simulating combustion instability) with advances in analytical modelling, CFD simulation, reduced order modelling and control theory tools. In particular:
* important advances in accurately incorporating the effect of entropy waves (temperature variations resulting from unsteady combustion) and non-linear flame models will be made;
* new active control strategies for achieving reliable suppression of combustion instability, including from within limit cycle oscillations, will be developed;
* an open-source low order combustor modelling tool will be developed and widely disseminated, opening access to researchers worldwide and improving communications between the fields of thermoacoustics and control theory.
Thus the proposal aims to use analytical and computational methods to contribute to achieving low NOx gas-turbine combustion, without the penalty of damaging combustion instability."
Max ERC Funding
1 489 309 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym AFFINITY
Project Actuation of Ferromagnetic Fibre Networks to improve Implant Longevity
Researcher (PI) Athina Markaki
Host Institution (HI) THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2009-StG
Summary This proposal is for an exploratory study into a radical new approach to the problem of orthopaedic implant loosening. Such loosening commonly occurs because the joint between the implant and the surrounding bone is insufficiently strong and durable. It is a serious problem both for implants cemented to the bone and for those dependent on bone in-growth into a rough/porous implant surface. In the latter case, the main problem is commonly that bone in-growth is insufficiently rapid or deep for a strong bond to be established. The idea proposed in this work is that the implant should have a highly porous surface layer, made by bonding ferromagnetic fibres together, into which bone tissue growth would occur. During the post-operative period, application of a magnetic field will cause the fibre network to deform elastically, as individual fibres tend to align with the field. This will impose strains on the bone tissue as it grows into the fibre network. Such mechanical deformation is known to be highly beneficial in promoting bone growth, providing the associated strain lies in a certain range (~0.1%). Preliminary work, involving both model development and experimental studies on the effect of magnetic fields on fibre networks, has suggested that beneficial therapeutic effects can be induced using field strengths no greater than those already employed for diagnostic purposes. A comprehensive 5-year, highly inter-disciplinary programme is planned, encompassing processing, network architecture characterisation, magneto-mechanical response investigations, various modelling activities and systematic in vitro experimentation to establish whether magneto-mechanical Actuation of Ferromagnetic Fibre Networks shows promise as a new therapeutic approach to improve implant longevity.
Summary
This proposal is for an exploratory study into a radical new approach to the problem of orthopaedic implant loosening. Such loosening commonly occurs because the joint between the implant and the surrounding bone is insufficiently strong and durable. It is a serious problem both for implants cemented to the bone and for those dependent on bone in-growth into a rough/porous implant surface. In the latter case, the main problem is commonly that bone in-growth is insufficiently rapid or deep for a strong bond to be established. The idea proposed in this work is that the implant should have a highly porous surface layer, made by bonding ferromagnetic fibres together, into which bone tissue growth would occur. During the post-operative period, application of a magnetic field will cause the fibre network to deform elastically, as individual fibres tend to align with the field. This will impose strains on the bone tissue as it grows into the fibre network. Such mechanical deformation is known to be highly beneficial in promoting bone growth, providing the associated strain lies in a certain range (~0.1%). Preliminary work, involving both model development and experimental studies on the effect of magnetic fields on fibre networks, has suggested that beneficial therapeutic effects can be induced using field strengths no greater than those already employed for diagnostic purposes. A comprehensive 5-year, highly inter-disciplinary programme is planned, encompassing processing, network architecture characterisation, magneto-mechanical response investigations, various modelling activities and systematic in vitro experimentation to establish whether magneto-mechanical Actuation of Ferromagnetic Fibre Networks shows promise as a new therapeutic approach to improve implant longevity.
Max ERC Funding
1 442 756 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-01-01, End date: 2015-11-30
Project acronym ALORS
Project Advanced Lagrangian Optimization, Receptivity and Sensitivity analysis applied to industrial situations
Researcher (PI) Matthew Pudan Juniper
Host Institution (HI) THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary In the last ten years there has been a surge of interest in non-modal analysis applied to canonical problems in fundamental fluid mechanics. Even in simple flows, the stability behaviour predicted by non-modal analysis can be completely different from and far more accurate than that predicted by conventional eigenvalue analysis.
As well as being more accurate, the tools of non-modal analysis, such as Lagrangian optimization, are very versatile. Furthermore, the outputs, such as receptivity and sensitivity maps of a flow, provide powerful insight for engineers. They describe where a flow is most receptive to forcing or where the flow is most sensitive to modification.
The application of non-modal analysis to canonical problems has set the scene for step changes in engineering practice in fluid mechanics and thermoacoustics. The technical objectives of this proposal are to apply non-modal analysis to high Reynolds number flows, reacting flows and thermoacoustic systems, to compare theoretical predictions with experimental measurements and to embed these techniques within an industrial design tool that has already been developed by the group.
This research group s vision is that future generations of engineering CFD tools will contain modules that can perform non-modal analysis. The generalized approach proposed here, combined with challenging scientific and engineering examples that are backed up by experimental evidence, will make this possible and demonstrate it to a wider engineering community.
Summary
In the last ten years there has been a surge of interest in non-modal analysis applied to canonical problems in fundamental fluid mechanics. Even in simple flows, the stability behaviour predicted by non-modal analysis can be completely different from and far more accurate than that predicted by conventional eigenvalue analysis.
As well as being more accurate, the tools of non-modal analysis, such as Lagrangian optimization, are very versatile. Furthermore, the outputs, such as receptivity and sensitivity maps of a flow, provide powerful insight for engineers. They describe where a flow is most receptive to forcing or where the flow is most sensitive to modification.
The application of non-modal analysis to canonical problems has set the scene for step changes in engineering practice in fluid mechanics and thermoacoustics. The technical objectives of this proposal are to apply non-modal analysis to high Reynolds number flows, reacting flows and thermoacoustic systems, to compare theoretical predictions with experimental measurements and to embed these techniques within an industrial design tool that has already been developed by the group.
This research group s vision is that future generations of engineering CFD tools will contain modules that can perform non-modal analysis. The generalized approach proposed here, combined with challenging scientific and engineering examples that are backed up by experimental evidence, will make this possible and demonstrate it to a wider engineering community.
Max ERC Funding
1 301 196 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-12-01, End date: 2016-06-30
Project acronym ANGLE
Project Accelerated design and discovery of novel molecular materials via global lattice energy minimisation
Researcher (PI) Graeme Matthew Day
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary The goal of crystal engineering is the design of functional crystalline materials in which the arrangement of basic structural building blocks imparts desired properties. The engineering of organic molecular crystals has, to date, relied largely on empirical rules governing the intermolecular association of functional groups in the solid state. However, many materials properties depend intricately on the complete crystal structure, i.e. the unit cell, space group and atomic positions, which cannot be predicted solely using such rules. Therefore, the development of computational methods for crystal structure prediction (CSP) from first principles has been a goal of computational chemistry that could significantly accelerate the design of new materials. It is only recently that the necessary advances in the modelling of intermolecular interactions and developments in algorithms for identifying all relevant crystal structures have come together to provide predictive methods that are becoming reliable and affordable on a timescale that could usefully complement an experimental research programme. The principle aim of the proposed work is to establish the use of state-of-the-art crystal structure prediction methods as a means of guiding the discovery and design of novel molecular materials.
This research proposal both continues the development of the computational methods for CSP and, by developing a computational framework for screening of potential molecules, develops the application of these methods for materials design. The areas on which we will focus are organic molecular semiconductors with high charge carrier mobilities and, building on our recently published results in Nature [1], the development of porous organic molecular materials. The project will both deliver novel materials, as well as improvements in the reliability of computational methods that will find widespread applications in materials chemistry.
[1] Nature 2011, 474, 367-371.
Summary
The goal of crystal engineering is the design of functional crystalline materials in which the arrangement of basic structural building blocks imparts desired properties. The engineering of organic molecular crystals has, to date, relied largely on empirical rules governing the intermolecular association of functional groups in the solid state. However, many materials properties depend intricately on the complete crystal structure, i.e. the unit cell, space group and atomic positions, which cannot be predicted solely using such rules. Therefore, the development of computational methods for crystal structure prediction (CSP) from first principles has been a goal of computational chemistry that could significantly accelerate the design of new materials. It is only recently that the necessary advances in the modelling of intermolecular interactions and developments in algorithms for identifying all relevant crystal structures have come together to provide predictive methods that are becoming reliable and affordable on a timescale that could usefully complement an experimental research programme. The principle aim of the proposed work is to establish the use of state-of-the-art crystal structure prediction methods as a means of guiding the discovery and design of novel molecular materials.
This research proposal both continues the development of the computational methods for CSP and, by developing a computational framework for screening of potential molecules, develops the application of these methods for materials design. The areas on which we will focus are organic molecular semiconductors with high charge carrier mobilities and, building on our recently published results in Nature [1], the development of porous organic molecular materials. The project will both deliver novel materials, as well as improvements in the reliability of computational methods that will find widespread applications in materials chemistry.
[1] Nature 2011, 474, 367-371.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 906 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-10-01, End date: 2017-09-30
Project acronym BACKTOBACK
Project Engineering Solutions for Back Pain: Simulation of Patient Variance
Researcher (PI) Ruth Wilcox
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary Back pain affects eight out of ten adults during their lifetime. It a huge economic burden on society, estimated to cost as much as 1-2% of gross national product in several European countries. Treatments for back pain have lower levels of success and are not as technologically mature as those for other musculoskeletal disorders such as hip and knee replacement. This application proposes to tackle one of the major barriers to the development of better surgical treatments for back pain.
At present, new spinal devices are commonly assessed in isolation in the laboratory under standardised conditions that do not represent the variation across the patient population. Consequently many interventions have failed during clinical trials or have proved to have poor long term success rates.
Using a combination of computational and experimental models, a new testing methodology will be developed that will enable the variation between patients to be simulated for the first time. This will enable spinal implants and therapies to be more robustly evaluated across a virtual patient population prior to clinical trial. The tools developed will be used in collaboration with clinicians and basic scientists to develop and, crucially, optimise new treatments that reduce back pain whilst preserving the unique functions of the spine.
If successful, this approach could be translated to evaluate and optimise emerging minimally invasive treatments in other joints such as the hip and knee. Research in the spine could then, for the first time, lead rather than follow that undertaken in other branches of orthopaedics.
Summary
Back pain affects eight out of ten adults during their lifetime. It a huge economic burden on society, estimated to cost as much as 1-2% of gross national product in several European countries. Treatments for back pain have lower levels of success and are not as technologically mature as those for other musculoskeletal disorders such as hip and knee replacement. This application proposes to tackle one of the major barriers to the development of better surgical treatments for back pain.
At present, new spinal devices are commonly assessed in isolation in the laboratory under standardised conditions that do not represent the variation across the patient population. Consequently many interventions have failed during clinical trials or have proved to have poor long term success rates.
Using a combination of computational and experimental models, a new testing methodology will be developed that will enable the variation between patients to be simulated for the first time. This will enable spinal implants and therapies to be more robustly evaluated across a virtual patient population prior to clinical trial. The tools developed will be used in collaboration with clinicians and basic scientists to develop and, crucially, optimise new treatments that reduce back pain whilst preserving the unique functions of the spine.
If successful, this approach could be translated to evaluate and optimise emerging minimally invasive treatments in other joints such as the hip and knee. Research in the spine could then, for the first time, lead rather than follow that undertaken in other branches of orthopaedics.
Max ERC Funding
1 498 777 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-12-01, End date: 2018-11-30
Project acronym BCOOL
Project Barocaloric materials for energy-efficient solid-state cooling
Researcher (PI) Javier Eduardo Moya Raposo
Host Institution (HI) THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2015-STG
Summary Cooling is essential for food and drinks, medicine, electronics and thermal comfort. Thermal changes due to pressure-driven phase transitions in fluids have long been used in vapour compression systems to achieve continuous refrigeration and air conditioning, but their energy efficiency is relatively low, and the working fluids that are employed harm the environment when released to the atmosphere. More recently, the discovery of large thermal changes due to pressure-driven phase transitions in magnetic solids has led to suggestions for environmentally friendly solid-state cooling applications. However, for this new cooling technology to succeed, it is still necessary to find suitable barocaloric (BC) materials that satisfy the demanding requirements set by applications, namely very large thermal changes in inexpensive materials that occur near room temperature in response to small applied pressures.
I aim to develop new BC materials by exploiting phase transitions in non-magnetic solids whose structural and thermal properties are strongly coupled, namely ferroelectric salts, molecular crystals and hybrid materials. These materials are normally made from cheap abundant elements, and display very large latent heats and volume changes at structural phase transitions, which make them ideal candidates to exhibit extremely large BC effects that outperform those observed in state-of-the-art BC magnetic materials, and that match applications.
My unique approach combines: i) materials science to identify materials with outstanding BC performance, ii) advanced experimental techniques to explore and exploit these novel materials, iii) materials engineering to create new composite materials with enhanced BC properties, and iv) fabrication of BC devices, using insight gained from modelling of materials and device parameters. If successful, my ambitious strategy will culminate in revolutionary solid-state cooling devices that are environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
Summary
Cooling is essential for food and drinks, medicine, electronics and thermal comfort. Thermal changes due to pressure-driven phase transitions in fluids have long been used in vapour compression systems to achieve continuous refrigeration and air conditioning, but their energy efficiency is relatively low, and the working fluids that are employed harm the environment when released to the atmosphere. More recently, the discovery of large thermal changes due to pressure-driven phase transitions in magnetic solids has led to suggestions for environmentally friendly solid-state cooling applications. However, for this new cooling technology to succeed, it is still necessary to find suitable barocaloric (BC) materials that satisfy the demanding requirements set by applications, namely very large thermal changes in inexpensive materials that occur near room temperature in response to small applied pressures.
I aim to develop new BC materials by exploiting phase transitions in non-magnetic solids whose structural and thermal properties are strongly coupled, namely ferroelectric salts, molecular crystals and hybrid materials. These materials are normally made from cheap abundant elements, and display very large latent heats and volume changes at structural phase transitions, which make them ideal candidates to exhibit extremely large BC effects that outperform those observed in state-of-the-art BC magnetic materials, and that match applications.
My unique approach combines: i) materials science to identify materials with outstanding BC performance, ii) advanced experimental techniques to explore and exploit these novel materials, iii) materials engineering to create new composite materials with enhanced BC properties, and iv) fabrication of BC devices, using insight gained from modelling of materials and device parameters. If successful, my ambitious strategy will culminate in revolutionary solid-state cooling devices that are environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
Max ERC Funding
1 467 521 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-04-01, End date: 2021-03-31
Project acronym BeadsOnString
Project Beads on String Genomics: Experimental Toolbox for Unmasking Genetic / Epigenetic Variation in Genomic DNA and Chromatin
Researcher (PI) Yuval Ebenstein
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2013-StG
Summary Next generation sequencing (NGS) is revolutionizing all fields of biological research but it fails to extract the full range of information associated with genetic material and is lacking in its ability to resolve variations between genomes. The high degree of genome variation exhibited both on the population level as well as between genetically “identical” cells (even in the same organ) makes genetic and epigenetic analysis on the single cell and single genome level a necessity.
Chromosomes may be conceptually represented as a linear one-dimensional barcode. However, in contrast to a traditional binary barcode approach that considers only two possible bits of information (1 & 0), I will use colour and molecular structure to expand the variety of information represented in the barcode. Like colourful beads threaded on a string, where each bead represents a distinct type of observable, I will label each type of genomic information with a different chemical moiety thus expanding the repertoire of information that can be simultaneously measured. A major effort in this proposal is invested in the development of unique chemistries to enable this labelling.
I specifically address three types of genomic variation: Variations in genomic layout (including DNA repeats, structural and copy number variations), variations in the patterns of chemical DNA modifications (such as methylation of cytosine bases) and variations in the chromatin composition (including nucleosome and transcription factor distributions). I will use physical extension of long DNA molecules on surfaces and in nanofluidic channels to reveal this information visually in the form of a linear, fluorescent “barcode” that is read-out by advanced imaging techniques. Similarly, DNA molecules will be threaded through a nanopore where the sequential position of “bulky” molecular groups attached to the DNA may be inferred from temporal modulation of an ionic current measured across the pore.
Summary
Next generation sequencing (NGS) is revolutionizing all fields of biological research but it fails to extract the full range of information associated with genetic material and is lacking in its ability to resolve variations between genomes. The high degree of genome variation exhibited both on the population level as well as between genetically “identical” cells (even in the same organ) makes genetic and epigenetic analysis on the single cell and single genome level a necessity.
Chromosomes may be conceptually represented as a linear one-dimensional barcode. However, in contrast to a traditional binary barcode approach that considers only two possible bits of information (1 & 0), I will use colour and molecular structure to expand the variety of information represented in the barcode. Like colourful beads threaded on a string, where each bead represents a distinct type of observable, I will label each type of genomic information with a different chemical moiety thus expanding the repertoire of information that can be simultaneously measured. A major effort in this proposal is invested in the development of unique chemistries to enable this labelling.
I specifically address three types of genomic variation: Variations in genomic layout (including DNA repeats, structural and copy number variations), variations in the patterns of chemical DNA modifications (such as methylation of cytosine bases) and variations in the chromatin composition (including nucleosome and transcription factor distributions). I will use physical extension of long DNA molecules on surfaces and in nanofluidic channels to reveal this information visually in the form of a linear, fluorescent “barcode” that is read-out by advanced imaging techniques. Similarly, DNA molecules will be threaded through a nanopore where the sequential position of “bulky” molecular groups attached to the DNA may be inferred from temporal modulation of an ionic current measured across the pore.
Max ERC Funding
1 627 600 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-10-01, End date: 2018-09-30
Project acronym BEBOP
Project Binaries Escorted By Orbiting Planets
Researcher (PI) Amaury TRIAUD
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2018-STG
Summary Planets orbiting both stars of a binary system -circumbinary planets- are challenging our understanding about how planets assemble, and how their orbits subsequently evolve. Long confined to science-fiction, circumbinary planets were confirmed by the Kepler spacecraft, in one of its most spectacular, and impactful result. Despite Kepler’s insights, a lot remains unknown about these planets. Kepler also suffered from intractable biases that the BEBOP project will solve.
BEBOP will revolutionise how we detect and study circumbinary planets. Conducting a Doppler survey, we will vastly improve the efficiency of circumbinary planet detection, and remove Kepler’s biases. BEBOP will construct a clearer picture of the circumbinary planet population, and free us from the inherent vagaries, and important costs of space-funding. Thanks to the Doppler method we will study dynamical effects unique to circumbinary planets, estimate their multiplicity, and compute their true occurrence rate.
Circumbinary planets are essential objects. Binaries disturbe planet formation. Any similarity, and any difference between the population of circumbinary planets and planets orbiting single stars, will bring novel information about how planets are produced. In addition, circumbinary planets have unique orbital properties that boost their probability to experience transits. BEBOP’s detections will open the door to atmospheric studies of colder worlds than presently available.
Based on already discovered systems, and on two successful proofs-of-concept, the BEBOP team will detect 15 circumbinary gas-giants, three times more than Kepler. BEBOP will provide an unambiguous measure of the efficiency of gas-giant formation in circumbinary environments. In addition the BEBOP project comes with an ambitious programme to combine three detection methods (Doppler, transits, and astrometry) in a holistic approach that will bolster investigations into circumbinary planets, and create a lasting legacy.
Summary
Planets orbiting both stars of a binary system -circumbinary planets- are challenging our understanding about how planets assemble, and how their orbits subsequently evolve. Long confined to science-fiction, circumbinary planets were confirmed by the Kepler spacecraft, in one of its most spectacular, and impactful result. Despite Kepler’s insights, a lot remains unknown about these planets. Kepler also suffered from intractable biases that the BEBOP project will solve.
BEBOP will revolutionise how we detect and study circumbinary planets. Conducting a Doppler survey, we will vastly improve the efficiency of circumbinary planet detection, and remove Kepler’s biases. BEBOP will construct a clearer picture of the circumbinary planet population, and free us from the inherent vagaries, and important costs of space-funding. Thanks to the Doppler method we will study dynamical effects unique to circumbinary planets, estimate their multiplicity, and compute their true occurrence rate.
Circumbinary planets are essential objects. Binaries disturbe planet formation. Any similarity, and any difference between the population of circumbinary planets and planets orbiting single stars, will bring novel information about how planets are produced. In addition, circumbinary planets have unique orbital properties that boost their probability to experience transits. BEBOP’s detections will open the door to atmospheric studies of colder worlds than presently available.
Based on already discovered systems, and on two successful proofs-of-concept, the BEBOP team will detect 15 circumbinary gas-giants, three times more than Kepler. BEBOP will provide an unambiguous measure of the efficiency of gas-giant formation in circumbinary environments. In addition the BEBOP project comes with an ambitious programme to combine three detection methods (Doppler, transits, and astrometry) in a holistic approach that will bolster investigations into circumbinary planets, and create a lasting legacy.
Max ERC Funding
1 186 313 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-11-01, End date: 2023-10-31
Project acronym BIAF
Project Bird Inspired Autonomous Flight
Researcher (PI) Shane Paul Windsor
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2015-STG
Summary The agile and efficient flight of birds shows what flight performance is physically possible, and in theory could be achieved by unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) of the same size. The overall aim of this project is to enhance the performance of small scale UAVs by developing novel technologies inspired by understanding how birds are adapted to interact with airflows. Small UAVs have the potential to dramatically change current practices in many areas such as, search and rescue, surveillance, and environmental monitoring. Currently the utility of these systems is limited by their operational endurance and their inability to operate in strong turbulent winds, especially those that often occur in urban environments. Birds are adapted to be able to fly in these conditions and actually use them to their advantage to minimise their energy output.
This project is composed of three tracks which contain elements of technology development, as well as scientific investigation looking at bird flight behaviour and aerodynamics. The first track looks at developing path planning algorithms for UAVs in urban environments based on how birds fly in these areas, by using GPS tracking and computational fluid dynamics alongside trajectory optimization. The second track aims to develop artificial wings with improved gust tolerance inspired by the features of feathered wings. Here, high speed video measurements of birds flying through gusts will be used alongside wind tunnel testing of artificial wings to discover what features of a bird’s wing help to alleviate gusts. The third track develops novel force and flow sensor arrays for autonomous flight control based on the sensor arrays found in flying animals. These arrays will be used to make UAVs with increased agility and robustness. This unique bird inspired approach uses biology to show what is possible, and engineering to find the features that enable this performance and develop them into functional technologies.
Summary
The agile and efficient flight of birds shows what flight performance is physically possible, and in theory could be achieved by unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) of the same size. The overall aim of this project is to enhance the performance of small scale UAVs by developing novel technologies inspired by understanding how birds are adapted to interact with airflows. Small UAVs have the potential to dramatically change current practices in many areas such as, search and rescue, surveillance, and environmental monitoring. Currently the utility of these systems is limited by their operational endurance and their inability to operate in strong turbulent winds, especially those that often occur in urban environments. Birds are adapted to be able to fly in these conditions and actually use them to their advantage to minimise their energy output.
This project is composed of three tracks which contain elements of technology development, as well as scientific investigation looking at bird flight behaviour and aerodynamics. The first track looks at developing path planning algorithms for UAVs in urban environments based on how birds fly in these areas, by using GPS tracking and computational fluid dynamics alongside trajectory optimization. The second track aims to develop artificial wings with improved gust tolerance inspired by the features of feathered wings. Here, high speed video measurements of birds flying through gusts will be used alongside wind tunnel testing of artificial wings to discover what features of a bird’s wing help to alleviate gusts. The third track develops novel force and flow sensor arrays for autonomous flight control based on the sensor arrays found in flying animals. These arrays will be used to make UAVs with increased agility and robustness. This unique bird inspired approach uses biology to show what is possible, and engineering to find the features that enable this performance and develop them into functional technologies.
Max ERC Funding
1 998 546 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-04-01, End date: 2021-03-31
Project acronym BIOELE
Project Functional Biointerface Elements via Biomicrofabrication
Researcher (PI) YANYAN HUANG
Host Institution (HI) THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2017-STG
Summary Imagine in the future, bionic devices that can merge device and biology which can perform molecular sensing, simulate the functions of grown-organs in the lab, or even replace or improve parts of the organ as smart implants? Such bionic devices is set to transform a number of emerging fields, including synthetic biotechnology, regenerative medicine, and human-machine interfaces. Merging biology and man-made devices also mean that materials of vastly different properties need to be seamlessly integrated. One of the promising strategies to manufacture these devices is through 3D printing, which can structure different materials into functional devices, and simultaneously intertwining with biological matters. However, the requirement for biocompatibility, miniaturisation, portability and high performance in bionic devices pushes the current limit for micro- nanoscale 3D printing.
This proposal aims to develop a new multi-material, cross-length scale biofabrication platform, with specific focus in making future smart bionic devices. In particular, a new mechanism is proposed to smoothly interface diverse classes of materials, such that an active device component can be ‘shrunk’ into a single small fibre. This mechanism utilises the polymeric materials’ flow property under applied tensile forces, and their abilities to combine with other classes of materials, such as semi-conductors and metals to impart further functionalities. This smart device fibre can be custom-made to perform different tasks, such as light emission or energy harvesting, to bridge 3D bioprinting for the future creation of high performance, compact, and cell-friendly bionic and medical devices.
Summary
Imagine in the future, bionic devices that can merge device and biology which can perform molecular sensing, simulate the functions of grown-organs in the lab, or even replace or improve parts of the organ as smart implants? Such bionic devices is set to transform a number of emerging fields, including synthetic biotechnology, regenerative medicine, and human-machine interfaces. Merging biology and man-made devices also mean that materials of vastly different properties need to be seamlessly integrated. One of the promising strategies to manufacture these devices is through 3D printing, which can structure different materials into functional devices, and simultaneously intertwining with biological matters. However, the requirement for biocompatibility, miniaturisation, portability and high performance in bionic devices pushes the current limit for micro- nanoscale 3D printing.
This proposal aims to develop a new multi-material, cross-length scale biofabrication platform, with specific focus in making future smart bionic devices. In particular, a new mechanism is proposed to smoothly interface diverse classes of materials, such that an active device component can be ‘shrunk’ into a single small fibre. This mechanism utilises the polymeric materials’ flow property under applied tensile forces, and their abilities to combine with other classes of materials, such as semi-conductors and metals to impart further functionalities. This smart device fibre can be custom-made to perform different tasks, such as light emission or energy harvesting, to bridge 3D bioprinting for the future creation of high performance, compact, and cell-friendly bionic and medical devices.
Max ERC Funding
1 486 938 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31
Project acronym BIOIONS
Project Biological ions in the gas-phase: New techniques for structural characterization of isolated biomolecular ions
Researcher (PI) Caroline Dessent
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF YORK
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2007-StG
Summary Recent intensive research on the laser spectroscopy of neutral gas-phase biomolecules has yielded a detailed picture of their structures and conformational preferences away from the complications of the bulk environment. In contrast, work on ionic systems has been sparse despite the fact that many important molecular groups are charged under physiological conditions. To address this probelm, we have developed a custom-built laser spectrometer, which incorporates a distincitive electrospray ionisation (ESI) cluster ion source, dedicated to producing biological anions (ATP,oligonucleotides) and their microsolvated clusters for structural characterization. Many previous laser spectrometers with ESI sources have suffered from producing "hot" congested spectra as the ions were produced at ambient temperatures. This is a particularly serious limitation for spectroscopic studies of biomolecules, since these systems can possess high internal energies due tothe presence of numerous low frequency modes. Our spectrometer overcomes this problem by exploiting the newly developed physics technique of "buffer gas cooling" to produce cold ESI molecular ions. In this proposal, we now seek to exploit the new laser-spectrometer to perform detailed spectroscopic interrogations of ESI generated biomolecular anions and clusters. In addition to traditional ion-dissociation spectroscopies, we propose to develop two new laser spectroscopy techniques (Two-color tuneable IR spectroscopy and Dipole-bound excited state spectroscopy) to give the broadest possible structural characterizations of the systems of interest. Studies will focus on ATP/GTP-anions, olignonucleotides, and sulphated and carboxylated sugars. These methodologies will provide a general approach for performing temperature-controlled spectroscopic characterizations of isolated biological ions, with measurements on the corresponding micro-solvated clusters providing details of how the molecules are perturbed by solvent.
Summary
Recent intensive research on the laser spectroscopy of neutral gas-phase biomolecules has yielded a detailed picture of their structures and conformational preferences away from the complications of the bulk environment. In contrast, work on ionic systems has been sparse despite the fact that many important molecular groups are charged under physiological conditions. To address this probelm, we have developed a custom-built laser spectrometer, which incorporates a distincitive electrospray ionisation (ESI) cluster ion source, dedicated to producing biological anions (ATP,oligonucleotides) and their microsolvated clusters for structural characterization. Many previous laser spectrometers with ESI sources have suffered from producing "hot" congested spectra as the ions were produced at ambient temperatures. This is a particularly serious limitation for spectroscopic studies of biomolecules, since these systems can possess high internal energies due tothe presence of numerous low frequency modes. Our spectrometer overcomes this problem by exploiting the newly developed physics technique of "buffer gas cooling" to produce cold ESI molecular ions. In this proposal, we now seek to exploit the new laser-spectrometer to perform detailed spectroscopic interrogations of ESI generated biomolecular anions and clusters. In addition to traditional ion-dissociation spectroscopies, we propose to develop two new laser spectroscopy techniques (Two-color tuneable IR spectroscopy and Dipole-bound excited state spectroscopy) to give the broadest possible structural characterizations of the systems of interest. Studies will focus on ATP/GTP-anions, olignonucleotides, and sulphated and carboxylated sugars. These methodologies will provide a general approach for performing temperature-controlled spectroscopic characterizations of isolated biological ions, with measurements on the corresponding micro-solvated clusters providing details of how the molecules are perturbed by solvent.
Max ERC Funding
1 250 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-10-01, End date: 2015-06-30
Project acronym BioNet
Project Dynamical Redesign of Biomolecular Networks
Researcher (PI) Edina ROSTA
Host Institution (HI) KING'S COLLEGE LONDON
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2017-STG
Summary Enzymes created by Nature are still more selective and can be orders of magnitude more efficient than man-made catalysts, in spite of recent advances in the design of de novo catalysts and in enzyme redesign. The optimal engineering of either small molecular or of complex biological catalysts requires both (i) accurate quantitative computational methods capable of a priori assessing catalytic efficiency, and (ii) molecular design principles and corresponding algorithms to achieve, understand and control biomolecular catalytic function and mechanisms. Presently, the computational design of biocatalysts is challenging due to the need for accurate yet computationally-intensive quantum mechanical calculations of bond formation and cleavage, as well as to the requirement for proper statistical sampling over very many degrees of freedom. Pioneering enhanced sampling and analysis methods have been developed to address crucial challenges bridging the gap between the available simulation length and the biologically relevant timescales. However, biased simulations do not generally permit the direct calculation of kinetic information. Recently, I and others pioneered simulation tools that can enable not only accurate calculations of free energies, but also of the intrinsic molecular kinetics and the underlying reaction mechanisms as well. I propose to develop more robust, automatic, and system-tailored sampling algorithms that are optimal in each case. I will use our kinetics-based methods to develop a novel theoretical framework to address catalytic efficiency and to establish molecular design principles to key design problems for new bio-inspired nanocatalysts, and to identify and characterize small molecule modulators of enzyme activity. This is a highly interdisciplinary project that will enable fundamental advances in molecular simulations and will unveil the physical principles that will lead to design and control of catalysis with Nature-like efficiency.
Summary
Enzymes created by Nature are still more selective and can be orders of magnitude more efficient than man-made catalysts, in spite of recent advances in the design of de novo catalysts and in enzyme redesign. The optimal engineering of either small molecular or of complex biological catalysts requires both (i) accurate quantitative computational methods capable of a priori assessing catalytic efficiency, and (ii) molecular design principles and corresponding algorithms to achieve, understand and control biomolecular catalytic function and mechanisms. Presently, the computational design of biocatalysts is challenging due to the need for accurate yet computationally-intensive quantum mechanical calculations of bond formation and cleavage, as well as to the requirement for proper statistical sampling over very many degrees of freedom. Pioneering enhanced sampling and analysis methods have been developed to address crucial challenges bridging the gap between the available simulation length and the biologically relevant timescales. However, biased simulations do not generally permit the direct calculation of kinetic information. Recently, I and others pioneered simulation tools that can enable not only accurate calculations of free energies, but also of the intrinsic molecular kinetics and the underlying reaction mechanisms as well. I propose to develop more robust, automatic, and system-tailored sampling algorithms that are optimal in each case. I will use our kinetics-based methods to develop a novel theoretical framework to address catalytic efficiency and to establish molecular design principles to key design problems for new bio-inspired nanocatalysts, and to identify and characterize small molecule modulators of enzyme activity. This is a highly interdisciplinary project that will enable fundamental advances in molecular simulations and will unveil the physical principles that will lead to design and control of catalysis with Nature-like efficiency.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 999 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-02-01, End date: 2023-01-31
Project acronym CAD4FACE
Project Computational modelling for personalised treatment of congenital craniofacial abnormalities
Researcher (PI) Silvia SCHIEVANO
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2017-STG
Summary Craniosynostosis is a group of congenital craniofacial abnormalities consisting in premature fusion (ossification) of one or more cranial sutures during infancy. This results in growth restriction perpendicular to the axis of the suture and promotes growth parallel to it, causing physical deformation of the cranial and facial skeleton, as well as distortion of the underling brain, with potential detrimental effects on its function: visual loss, sleep apnoea, feeding and breathing difficulties, and neurodevelopment delay. Conventional management of craniosynostosis involves craniofacial surgery delivered by excision of the prematurely fused sutures, multiple bone cuts and remodelling of the skull deformities, with the primary goal of improving patient function, while normalising their appearance. Cranial vault remodelling surgical procedures, aided by internal and external devices, have proven functionally and aesthetically effective in correcting skull deformities, but final results remain unpredictable and often suboptimal because of an incomplete understanding of the biomechanical interaction between the device and the skull.
The overall aim of this grant is to create a validated and robust computational framework that integrates patient information and device design to deliver personalised care in paediatric craniofacial surgery in order to improve clinical outcomes. A virtual model of the infant skull with craniosynostosis, including viscoelastic properties and mechano-biology regulation, will be developed to simulate device implantation and performance over time, and will be validated using clinical data from patient populations treated with current devices. Bespoke new devices will be designed allowing for pre-programmed 3D shapes to be delivered with continuous force during the implantation period. Patient specific skull models will be used to virtually test and optimise the personalised devices, and to tailor the surgical approach for each individual case.
Summary
Craniosynostosis is a group of congenital craniofacial abnormalities consisting in premature fusion (ossification) of one or more cranial sutures during infancy. This results in growth restriction perpendicular to the axis of the suture and promotes growth parallel to it, causing physical deformation of the cranial and facial skeleton, as well as distortion of the underling brain, with potential detrimental effects on its function: visual loss, sleep apnoea, feeding and breathing difficulties, and neurodevelopment delay. Conventional management of craniosynostosis involves craniofacial surgery delivered by excision of the prematurely fused sutures, multiple bone cuts and remodelling of the skull deformities, with the primary goal of improving patient function, while normalising their appearance. Cranial vault remodelling surgical procedures, aided by internal and external devices, have proven functionally and aesthetically effective in correcting skull deformities, but final results remain unpredictable and often suboptimal because of an incomplete understanding of the biomechanical interaction between the device and the skull.
The overall aim of this grant is to create a validated and robust computational framework that integrates patient information and device design to deliver personalised care in paediatric craniofacial surgery in order to improve clinical outcomes. A virtual model of the infant skull with craniosynostosis, including viscoelastic properties and mechano-biology regulation, will be developed to simulate device implantation and performance over time, and will be validated using clinical data from patient populations treated with current devices. Bespoke new devices will be designed allowing for pre-programmed 3D shapes to be delivered with continuous force during the implantation period. Patient specific skull models will be used to virtually test and optimise the personalised devices, and to tailor the surgical approach for each individual case.
Max ERC Funding
1 498 772 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-03-01, End date: 2023-02-28
Project acronym CartographY
Project Mapping Stellar Helium
Researcher (PI) Guy DAVIES
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2018-STG
Summary In the epoch of Gaia, fundamental stellar properties will be made widely available for large numbers of stars. These properties are expected to unleash a new wave of discovery in the field of astrophysics. But while many properties of stars are measurable, meaningful Helium abundances (Y) remain elusive and as a result fundamental properties are not accurate.
Helium enrichment laws, which underpin most stellar properties, link initial Y to initial metallicity, but these relations are very uncertain with gradients (dY/dZ) spanning the range 1 to 3. This uncertainty is the initial Y problem and this is a bottleneck that must be overcome to unleash the true potential of Gaia.
Without measurements of initial Y for all stars we need to find alternative observables that trace out the evolution of initial Y. We will search for better tracers using the power of asteroseismology as a calibrator.
Asteroseismic measures of Helium will be used to construct a map from observable properties (fundamental, chemical or even dynamical) back to initial Helium. This is a challenge that can only be solved through the use of the latest asteroseismic techniques coupled to a rigorous yet flexible statistical scheme. I am uniquely qualified in the cutting edge methods of asteroseismology and the application of advanced multi-level statistical models. The intersection of these two skill sets will allow me to solve the initial Helium problem.
The motivation for a timely solution to this problem could not be stronger. We have just entered an age of large asteroseismic datasets, vast spectroscopic surveys, and the billion star program of Gaia. The next wave of scientific breakthroughs in stellar physics, exoplanetary science, and Galactic archeology will be held back unless accurate fundamental stellar properties are available. We can only produce these accurate properties with a reliable map of stellar Helium.
Summary
In the epoch of Gaia, fundamental stellar properties will be made widely available for large numbers of stars. These properties are expected to unleash a new wave of discovery in the field of astrophysics. But while many properties of stars are measurable, meaningful Helium abundances (Y) remain elusive and as a result fundamental properties are not accurate.
Helium enrichment laws, which underpin most stellar properties, link initial Y to initial metallicity, but these relations are very uncertain with gradients (dY/dZ) spanning the range 1 to 3. This uncertainty is the initial Y problem and this is a bottleneck that must be overcome to unleash the true potential of Gaia.
Without measurements of initial Y for all stars we need to find alternative observables that trace out the evolution of initial Y. We will search for better tracers using the power of asteroseismology as a calibrator.
Asteroseismic measures of Helium will be used to construct a map from observable properties (fundamental, chemical or even dynamical) back to initial Helium. This is a challenge that can only be solved through the use of the latest asteroseismic techniques coupled to a rigorous yet flexible statistical scheme. I am uniquely qualified in the cutting edge methods of asteroseismology and the application of advanced multi-level statistical models. The intersection of these two skill sets will allow me to solve the initial Helium problem.
The motivation for a timely solution to this problem could not be stronger. We have just entered an age of large asteroseismic datasets, vast spectroscopic surveys, and the billion star program of Gaia. The next wave of scientific breakthroughs in stellar physics, exoplanetary science, and Galactic archeology will be held back unless accurate fundamental stellar properties are available. We can only produce these accurate properties with a reliable map of stellar Helium.
Max ERC Funding
1 496 203 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-04-01, End date: 2024-03-31
Project acronym CHASM
Project Convective Heat Transport and Stellar Magnetism
Researcher (PI) Matthew Keith Morris Browning
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2013-StG
Summary "Magnetism plays a profound role in stars and planets. In the Sun, magnetic fields are ultimately responsible for solar flares and coronal mass ejections that can impact our technological society. Earth's own magnetic field partly shields us from these events, but solar storms can still interrupt satellite communications, disrupt power grids, and pose a danger to astronauts on spacewalks. More generally, magnetic fields partly control the rotational evolution of stars, likely impact the habitability of extrasolar planets, and may modify the sizes and internal structures of
low-mass stars and gaseous planets. In all cases, the magnetism is generally thought to arise from a convective dynamo -- but a detailed theoretical understanding of this process, and its influence on the overall evolution of stars and planets, has remained elusive. Particularly fascinating observational puzzles have recently come from the study of low-mass M-dwarf stars: the most numerous type of stars in our galaxy and perhaps the most likely to host habitable planets.
We therefore propose to study how stars and sub-stellar objects build magnetic fields using 3-D magnetohydrodynamic simulations, and to quantify the effects of those fields on stellar structure and evolution. Using the Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) and Compressible Spherical Segment (CSS) codes, we will examine (a) how global magnetic field generation in these stars depends upon parameters like stellar mass, rotation rate, and the presence of a stable core, and (b) how the deep convection and magnetism imprints through (and is shaped by) the near-surface layers of these objects. We will (c) determine the impact of the resulting fields on the convective transport of heat and angular momentum, incorporate our results into state of the art 1-D evolutionary models of stars, and explore the consequences for stellar evolution. Separately, we will (d) develop and maintain a public database of 3-D convective dynamo models."
Summary
"Magnetism plays a profound role in stars and planets. In the Sun, magnetic fields are ultimately responsible for solar flares and coronal mass ejections that can impact our technological society. Earth's own magnetic field partly shields us from these events, but solar storms can still interrupt satellite communications, disrupt power grids, and pose a danger to astronauts on spacewalks. More generally, magnetic fields partly control the rotational evolution of stars, likely impact the habitability of extrasolar planets, and may modify the sizes and internal structures of
low-mass stars and gaseous planets. In all cases, the magnetism is generally thought to arise from a convective dynamo -- but a detailed theoretical understanding of this process, and its influence on the overall evolution of stars and planets, has remained elusive. Particularly fascinating observational puzzles have recently come from the study of low-mass M-dwarf stars: the most numerous type of stars in our galaxy and perhaps the most likely to host habitable planets.
We therefore propose to study how stars and sub-stellar objects build magnetic fields using 3-D magnetohydrodynamic simulations, and to quantify the effects of those fields on stellar structure and evolution. Using the Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) and Compressible Spherical Segment (CSS) codes, we will examine (a) how global magnetic field generation in these stars depends upon parameters like stellar mass, rotation rate, and the presence of a stable core, and (b) how the deep convection and magnetism imprints through (and is shaped by) the near-surface layers of these objects. We will (c) determine the impact of the resulting fields on the convective transport of heat and angular momentum, incorporate our results into state of the art 1-D evolutionary models of stars, and explore the consequences for stellar evolution. Separately, we will (d) develop and maintain a public database of 3-D convective dynamo models."
Max ERC Funding
1 469 070 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-12-01, End date: 2018-11-30
Project acronym CHEMBIOMECH
Project Exploring mechanism in chemical biology by high-throughput approaches
Researcher (PI) Florian Hollfelder
Host Institution (HI) THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2007-StG
Summary In the biomedical sciences, where endless combinatorial diversity of genes, proteins and synthetic molecules is involved, miniaturisation has not simply allowed an increase in the speed at which experiment can be performed: it has given birth to new areas such as combinatorial chemistry and biology, proteomics, genomics, and more recently, systems and synthetic biology. In all these areas, the synthesis, assay and analysis of large molecular ensembles has become the essence of experimental progress. However, it is the systematic analysis of the enormous amounts of data generated that will ultimately lead to an understanding of fundamental chemical and biological problems. This proposal deals with approaches in which libraries of molecules are employed to give such mechanistic insight – into how enzyme catalysis is brought about in proteins and polymeric enzyme models and into the molecular recognition and cell biology of drug delivery reagents. In each case considerable technical challenges are involved in the way diversity is brought about and probed: ranging from either using the tools of synthetic chemistry to using gene repertoires in emulsion microdroplet reactors with femtolitre volumes, handled in microfluidic devices.
Summary
In the biomedical sciences, where endless combinatorial diversity of genes, proteins and synthetic molecules is involved, miniaturisation has not simply allowed an increase in the speed at which experiment can be performed: it has given birth to new areas such as combinatorial chemistry and biology, proteomics, genomics, and more recently, systems and synthetic biology. In all these areas, the synthesis, assay and analysis of large molecular ensembles has become the essence of experimental progress. However, it is the systematic analysis of the enormous amounts of data generated that will ultimately lead to an understanding of fundamental chemical and biological problems. This proposal deals with approaches in which libraries of molecules are employed to give such mechanistic insight – into how enzyme catalysis is brought about in proteins and polymeric enzyme models and into the molecular recognition and cell biology of drug delivery reagents. In each case considerable technical challenges are involved in the way diversity is brought about and probed: ranging from either using the tools of synthetic chemistry to using gene repertoires in emulsion microdroplet reactors with femtolitre volumes, handled in microfluidic devices.
Max ERC Funding
563 848 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-09-01, End date: 2013-08-31
Project acronym CLUSTERS
Project Galaxy formation through the eyes of globular clusters
Researcher (PI) Mark Gieles
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF SURREY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2013-StG
Summary "Globular clusters (GCs) are among the first baryonic structures to form at a redshift of 10 and they witnessed the earliest phases of galaxy formation. Despite their ubiquity and importance for our understanding of the stellar initial mass function, star formation and chemical evolution in the early Universe, their origin is shrouded in mystery. They could have formed in gas rich discs, similarly to young massive clusters (YMCs) that we see forming today in starburst environments; or they could require a more exotic environment such as the centre of dark matter ``mini-haloes"".
The Milky Way GCs are resolved into their constituent stellar population making them the obvious place to look for clues. Their pristine properties are, however, affected by a Hubble time of dynamical evolution within an evolving Milky Way. In this proposal I present three projects to determine the initial properties of GCs, allowing them to be used as robust probes of early star formation, stellar evolution and cosmology. Specifically, I will: (1) dynamically evolve YMCs on a star-by-star basis and achieve a complete census of the fate of the clusters and their debris (``cold"" streams) within the framework of the hierarchical assembly of the Milky Way; (2) I will develop an extremely fast cluster evolution algorithm to do population synthesis of (globular) star clusters which will uniquely establish their initial masses, densities and the corresponding distributions; and (3) I will break the degeneracy of a dark matter halo, tidal heating and alternative gravity laws on the kinematics of GCs and determine whether Milky Way GCs contain dark matter, or not.
Galactic archaeology is entering a Golden Age. ALMA is operational and already putting constraints on the formation of YMCs and Gaia is due to fly next year. The three novel projects presented here will pave the way and prepare for the wealth of unprecedented data."
Summary
"Globular clusters (GCs) are among the first baryonic structures to form at a redshift of 10 and they witnessed the earliest phases of galaxy formation. Despite their ubiquity and importance for our understanding of the stellar initial mass function, star formation and chemical evolution in the early Universe, their origin is shrouded in mystery. They could have formed in gas rich discs, similarly to young massive clusters (YMCs) that we see forming today in starburst environments; or they could require a more exotic environment such as the centre of dark matter ``mini-haloes"".
The Milky Way GCs are resolved into their constituent stellar population making them the obvious place to look for clues. Their pristine properties are, however, affected by a Hubble time of dynamical evolution within an evolving Milky Way. In this proposal I present three projects to determine the initial properties of GCs, allowing them to be used as robust probes of early star formation, stellar evolution and cosmology. Specifically, I will: (1) dynamically evolve YMCs on a star-by-star basis and achieve a complete census of the fate of the clusters and their debris (``cold"" streams) within the framework of the hierarchical assembly of the Milky Way; (2) I will develop an extremely fast cluster evolution algorithm to do population synthesis of (globular) star clusters which will uniquely establish their initial masses, densities and the corresponding distributions; and (3) I will break the degeneracy of a dark matter halo, tidal heating and alternative gravity laws on the kinematics of GCs and determine whether Milky Way GCs contain dark matter, or not.
Galactic archaeology is entering a Golden Age. ALMA is operational and already putting constraints on the formation of YMCs and Gaia is due to fly next year. The three novel projects presented here will pave the way and prepare for the wealth of unprecedented data."
Max ERC Funding
1 499 863 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-11-01, End date: 2018-10-31
Project acronym COEVOLUTION
Project Black holes and their host galaxies: coevolution across cosmic time
Researcher (PI) Debora Sijacki
Host Institution (HI) THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2014-STG
Summary Galaxy formation is one of the most fascinating yet challenging fields of astrophysics. The desire to understand
galaxy formation has led to the design of ever more sophisticated telescopes which show a bewildering variety
of galaxies in the Universe. However, the degree to which an interpretation of this wealth of data can succeed
depends critically on having accurate and realistic theoretical models of galaxy formation. While cosmological
simulations of galaxy formation provide the most powerful technique for calculating the non-linear evolution of
cosmic structures, the enormous dynamic range and poorly understood baryonic physics are main uncertainties
of present simulations. This impacts on their predictive power and is the major obstacle to our understanding of
observational data. The objective of this proposal is to drastically improve upon the current state-of-the-art by i)
including more realistic physical processes, such as those occurring at the sphere of influence of a galaxy’s central
black hole and ii) greatly extending spatial dynamical range with the aid of a novel technique I have developed.
With this technique I want to address one of the major unsolved issues of galaxy formation: “How do galaxies and
their central black holes coevolve?” Specifically, I want to focus on three crucial areas of galaxy formation: a) How
and where the very first black holes form, what are their observational signatures, and when is the coevolution with
host galaxies established? b) Is black hole heating solely responsible for the morphological transformation and
quenching of massive galaxies, or are other processes important as well? c) What is the impact of supermassive
black holes on galaxy clusters and can we calibrate baryonic physics in clusters to use them as high precision
cosmological probes? The requested funding is for 50% of the PI’s time and three postdoctoral researchers to
establish an independent research group at the KICC and IoA, Cambridge.
Summary
Galaxy formation is one of the most fascinating yet challenging fields of astrophysics. The desire to understand
galaxy formation has led to the design of ever more sophisticated telescopes which show a bewildering variety
of galaxies in the Universe. However, the degree to which an interpretation of this wealth of data can succeed
depends critically on having accurate and realistic theoretical models of galaxy formation. While cosmological
simulations of galaxy formation provide the most powerful technique for calculating the non-linear evolution of
cosmic structures, the enormous dynamic range and poorly understood baryonic physics are main uncertainties
of present simulations. This impacts on their predictive power and is the major obstacle to our understanding of
observational data. The objective of this proposal is to drastically improve upon the current state-of-the-art by i)
including more realistic physical processes, such as those occurring at the sphere of influence of a galaxy’s central
black hole and ii) greatly extending spatial dynamical range with the aid of a novel technique I have developed.
With this technique I want to address one of the major unsolved issues of galaxy formation: “How do galaxies and
their central black holes coevolve?” Specifically, I want to focus on three crucial areas of galaxy formation: a) How
and where the very first black holes form, what are their observational signatures, and when is the coevolution with
host galaxies established? b) Is black hole heating solely responsible for the morphological transformation and
quenching of massive galaxies, or are other processes important as well? c) What is the impact of supermassive
black holes on galaxy clusters and can we calibrate baryonic physics in clusters to use them as high precision
cosmological probes? The requested funding is for 50% of the PI’s time and three postdoctoral researchers to
establish an independent research group at the KICC and IoA, Cambridge.
Max ERC Funding
1 975 062 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-09-01, End date: 2020-08-31
Project acronym COGS
Project Capitalizing on Gravitational Shear
Researcher (PI) Sarah Louise Bridle
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2009-StG
Summary Our Universe appears to be filled with mysterious ingredients: 25 per cent appears to be dark matter, perhaps an as-yet undiscovered particle, and 70 per cent seems to be a bizarre fluid, dubbed dark energy, for which there is no satisfactory theory. Solving the dark energy problem is the most pressing question in cosmology today. It is possible that dark energy does not exist at all, and instead Einstein s theory of General Relativity is flawed. Cosmologists hope to measure the properties of the dark energy using the next generation of cosmological observations, in which I am playing a leading role. I believe the most promising technique to crack the dark energy problem is gravitational shear, in which images of distant galaxies are distorted as they pass through the intervening dark matter distribution. Analysis of the distortions allows a map of the dark matter to be reconstructed; by examining the dark matter distribution we uncover the nature of the apparent dark energy. However to capitalize on the great potential of gravitational shear we must measure incredibly small image distortions in the presence of much larger image modifications that occur in the measurement process. I am proposing a fresh look at this problem using an inter-disciplinary approach in collaboration with computer scientists. This grant would enable my team to play a central role in the key results from the upcoming Dark Energy Survey. We would further capitalize on the gravitational shear signal by moving away from the current dark energy bandwagon by instead focusing on testing General Relativity using novel approaches. Our work will produce results which will lead the next Einstein to solve the biggest puzzle in cosmology, and arguably physics.
Summary
Our Universe appears to be filled with mysterious ingredients: 25 per cent appears to be dark matter, perhaps an as-yet undiscovered particle, and 70 per cent seems to be a bizarre fluid, dubbed dark energy, for which there is no satisfactory theory. Solving the dark energy problem is the most pressing question in cosmology today. It is possible that dark energy does not exist at all, and instead Einstein s theory of General Relativity is flawed. Cosmologists hope to measure the properties of the dark energy using the next generation of cosmological observations, in which I am playing a leading role. I believe the most promising technique to crack the dark energy problem is gravitational shear, in which images of distant galaxies are distorted as they pass through the intervening dark matter distribution. Analysis of the distortions allows a map of the dark matter to be reconstructed; by examining the dark matter distribution we uncover the nature of the apparent dark energy. However to capitalize on the great potential of gravitational shear we must measure incredibly small image distortions in the presence of much larger image modifications that occur in the measurement process. I am proposing a fresh look at this problem using an inter-disciplinary approach in collaboration with computer scientists. This grant would enable my team to play a central role in the key results from the upcoming Dark Energy Survey. We would further capitalize on the gravitational shear signal by moving away from the current dark energy bandwagon by instead focusing on testing General Relativity using novel approaches. Our work will produce results which will lead the next Einstein to solve the biggest puzzle in cosmology, and arguably physics.
Max ERC Funding
1 400 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-04-01, End date: 2016-03-31
Project acronym complexNMR
Project Structural Dynamics of Protein Complexes by Solid-State NMR
Researcher (PI) Józef Romuald Lewandowski
Host Institution (HI) THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2014-STG
Summary Multidrug resistant bacteria that render worthless the current arsenal of antibiotics are a growing global problem. This grave challenge could be tackled by polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are gigantic modular enzymatic assembly lines for natural products. PKSs could be developed for industry to produce chemically difficult to synthesize drugs, but cannot be harnessed until we understand how they work on the molecular level. However, such understanding is missing because we cannot easily investigate large complexes with current structural biology and modeling methods. A key puzzle is how the function of these multicomponent systems emerges from atomic-scale interactions of their parts. Solving this puzzle requires a holistic approach involving measuring and modeling the relevant interacting parts together.
Our goal is to develop a multidisciplinary approach rooted in solid and solution state NMR that will make possible studies of complexes from PKSs. The two main challenges for the NMR of PKSs are increasing sensitivity and resolution. Recent innovations from our lab allow application of solid-state to study large complexes in 2–10 nanomole quantities. Building on this approach, with a protein-antibody complex as a test case, we will develop new NMR methods that will enable a study of structure and motions of domains in complexes. We will probe, for the first time, the structural dynamics of PKSs of enacyloxin and gladiolin, which are antibiotics against life-threatening multidrug resistant hospital-acquired Acinetobacter baumannii infections and tuberculosis. These studies will guide rational engineering of the PKSs to enable synthetic biology approaches to produce new antibiotics.
If successful, this project will go beyond the state of the art by: enabling studies of unknown proteins in large complexes and providing unique insights into novel mechanisms for controlling biosynthesis in PKSs, turning them into truly programmable synthetic biology devices.
Summary
Multidrug resistant bacteria that render worthless the current arsenal of antibiotics are a growing global problem. This grave challenge could be tackled by polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are gigantic modular enzymatic assembly lines for natural products. PKSs could be developed for industry to produce chemically difficult to synthesize drugs, but cannot be harnessed until we understand how they work on the molecular level. However, such understanding is missing because we cannot easily investigate large complexes with current structural biology and modeling methods. A key puzzle is how the function of these multicomponent systems emerges from atomic-scale interactions of their parts. Solving this puzzle requires a holistic approach involving measuring and modeling the relevant interacting parts together.
Our goal is to develop a multidisciplinary approach rooted in solid and solution state NMR that will make possible studies of complexes from PKSs. The two main challenges for the NMR of PKSs are increasing sensitivity and resolution. Recent innovations from our lab allow application of solid-state to study large complexes in 2–10 nanomole quantities. Building on this approach, with a protein-antibody complex as a test case, we will develop new NMR methods that will enable a study of structure and motions of domains in complexes. We will probe, for the first time, the structural dynamics of PKSs of enacyloxin and gladiolin, which are antibiotics against life-threatening multidrug resistant hospital-acquired Acinetobacter baumannii infections and tuberculosis. These studies will guide rational engineering of the PKSs to enable synthetic biology approaches to produce new antibiotics.
If successful, this project will go beyond the state of the art by: enabling studies of unknown proteins in large complexes and providing unique insights into novel mechanisms for controlling biosynthesis in PKSs, turning them into truly programmable synthetic biology devices.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 044 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-05-01, End date: 2020-04-30
