ERC FUNDED PROJECTS

Currently fuels, plastics, and drugs are predominantly manufactured from oil. A transition towards renewable resources critically depends on new catalysts, for instance to convert small molecules (such as solar or biomass derived hydrogen, carbon monoxide, water and carbon dioxide) into more complex ones (such as oxygenates, containing oxygen atoms in their structure). Catalyst development now often depends on trial and error rather than rational design, as the heterogeneity of these composite systems hampers detailed understanding of the role of each of the components. I propose 3D model catalysts as a novel enabling tool to overcome this problem. Their well-defined nature allows unprecedented precision in the variation of structural parameters (morphology, spatial distribution) of the individual components, while at the same time they mimic real catalysts closely enough to allow testing under industrially relevant conditions. Using this approach I will address fundamental questions, such as: * What are the mechanisms (structural, electronic, chemical) by which non-metal promoters influence the functionality of copper-based catalysts? * Which nanoalloys can be formed, how does their composition influence the surface active sites and catalytic functionality under reaction conditions? * Which size and interface effects occur, and how can we use them to tune the actitivity and selectivity towards desired products? Our 3D model catalysts will be assembled from ordered mesoporous silica and carbon support materials and Cu-based promoted and bimetallic nanoparticles. The combination with high resolution characterization and testing under realistic conditions allows detailed insight into the role of the different components; critical for the rational design of novel catalysts for a future more sustainable production of chemicals and fuels from renewable resources.

1 999 625 €

Start date: 2015-09-01, End date: 2020-08-31

The two biggest challenges in solving practical optimization problems are computational intractability, and the presence of uncertainty: most problems are either NP-hard, or have incomplete input data which makes an exact computation impossible. Recently, there has been a huge progress in our understanding of intractability, based on spectacular algorithmic and lower bound techniques. For several problems, especially those with only local constraints, we can design optimum approximation algorithms that are provably the best possible. However, typical optimization problems usually involve complex global constraints and are much less understood. The situation is even worse for coping with uncertainty. Most of the algorithms are based on ad-hoc techniques and there is no deeper understanding of what makes various problems easy or hard. This proposal describes several new directions, together with concrete intermediate goals, that will break important new ground in the theory of approximation and online algorithms. The particular directions we consider are (i) extend the primal dual method to systematically design online algorithms, (ii) build a structural theory of online problems based on work functions, (iii) develop new tools to use the power of strong convex relaxations and (iv) design new algorithmic approaches based on non-constructive proof techniques. The proposed research is at the cutting edge of algorithm design, and builds upon the recent success of the PI in resolving several longstanding questions in these areas. Any progress is likely to be a significant contribution to theoretical computer science and combinatorial optimization.

1 519 285 €

Start date: 2014-05-01, End date: 2019-04-30

"In our largely unchanging radio Universe, a highly dynamic component was recently discovered: flashes of bright radio emission that last only milliseconds but appear all over the sky. Some of these radio bursts can be traced to intermittently pulsating neutron stars. Other bursts however, apparently originate far outside our Galaxy. Due to great observational challenges, the evolution of the neutron stars is not understood, while more importantly, the nature of the extragalactic bursts remains an outright mystery. My overall aim is to understand the physics that drives both kinds of brief and luminous bursts. My primary goal is to identify the highly compact astrophysical explosions powering the extragalactic bursts. My previous surveys are the state of the art in fast-transient detection; I will now increase by a factor of 10 this exploration volume. In real-time I will provide arcsec positions, 10,000-fold more accurate than currently possible, to localize such extragalactic bursts for the first time and understand their origin. My secondary goal is to unravel the unexplained evolution of intermittently pulsating neutron stars (building on e.g., my recent papers in Science, 2013), by doubling their number and modeling their population. To achieve these goals, I will carry out a highly innovative survey: the Apertif-LOFAR Exploration of the Radio Transient Sky. ALERT is over an order of magnitude more sensitive than all current state-of-the art fast-transient surveys. Through its novel, extremely wide field-of-view, Westerbork/Apertif will detect many tens of extragalactic bursts. Through real-time triggers to LOFAR I will next provide the precise localisation that is essential for radio, optical and high-energy follow-up to, for the first time, shed light on the physics and objects driving these bursts – evaporating primordial black holes; explosions in host galaxies; or, the unknown?"

1 999 823 €

Start date: 2014-12-01, End date: 2019-11-30

ASTROFLOW aims to make ground-breaking progress in our physical understanding of exoplanetary mass loss, by quantifying the influence of stellar outflows on atmospheric escape of close-in exoplanets. Escape plays a key role in planetary evolution, population, and potential to develop life. Stellar irradiation and outflows affect planetary mass loss: irradiation heats planetary atmospheres, which inflate and more likely escape; outflows cause pressure confinement around otherwise freely escaping atmospheres. This external pressure can increase, reduce or even suppress escape rates; its effects on exoplanetary mass loss remain largely unexplored due to the complexity of such interactions. I will fill this knowledge gap by developing a novel modelling framework of atmospheric escape that will, for the first time, consider the effects of realistic stellar outflows on exoplanetary mass loss. My expertise in stellar wind theory and 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations is crucial for producing the next-generation models of planetary escape. My framework will consist of state-of-the-art, time-dependent, 3D simulations of stellar outflows (Method 1), which will be coupled to novel 3D simulations of atmospheric escape (Method 2). My models will account for the major underlying physical processes of mass loss. With this, I will determine the response of planetary mass loss to realistic stellar particle, magnetic and radiation environments and will characterise the physical conditions of the escaping material. I will compute how its extinction varies during transit and compare synthetic line profiles to atmospheric escape observations from, eg, Hubble and our NASA cubesat CUTE. Strong synergy with upcoming observations (JWST, TESS, SPIRou, CARMENES) also exists. Determining the lifetime of planetary atmospheres is essential to understanding populations of exoplanets. ASTROFLOW’s work will be the foundation for future research of how exoplanets evolve under mass-loss processes.

1 999 956 €

Start date: 2019-09-01, End date: 2024-08-31

Deep galaxy surveys are the most valuable asset to understand the history of our Universe. They are key to test galaxy formation models which, based on the Cold Dark Matter framework, are successful at reproducing general aspects of galaxy evolution with cosmic time. However, important discrepancies still exist between models and observations, most notably at high redshifts. This Project will reconstruct the history of galaxy buildup from the first billion years of cosmic time through the peak activity epoch of the Universe, which occurred 10 billion years ago, providing a fundamental constraint for galaxy formation models. I am leading the largest ultra-deep galaxy survey that will ever be conducted with the Spitzer Space Telescope. In this Project, I will exploit my new Spitzer program to do a groundbreaking study of galaxy buildup in the young Universe, paving the way for further galaxy evolution studies with the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). My main objectives are: 1) quantifying galaxy stellar mass assembly beyond the peak activity epoch, through the study of the galaxy stellar mass function up to z~7; 2) measuring, for the first time, galaxy clustering with stellar mass information up to such high redshifts; 3) linking galaxy growth to dust-obscured star formation using Spitzer and new APEX/AMKID sub-millimetre data; 4) unveiling the first steps of galaxy buildup at z>7 with JWST; 5) optimizing the official JWST Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) data reduction pipeline for the analysis of deep galaxy surveys. The delivery of an optimized MIRI pipeline is an important added value to the scientific outcome of this Project, which will benefit the general Astronomical community. This is the right time for this Project to make a maximum impact. We are now in a turning point for IR Astronomy, and this opportunity should not be missed. This Project will have a long-lasting legacy, bridging current and next generations of IR galaxy surveys.

1 902 235 €

Start date: 2016-09-01, End date: 2021-08-31

This project aims to predict the cessation of continuous turbulence in the evening boundary layer. The interaction between the lower atmosphere and the surface is studied in detail, as this plays a crucial role in the dynamics. Present generation forecasting models are incapable to predict whether or not turbulence will survive or collapse under cold conditions. In nature, both situations frequently occur and lead to completely different temperature signatures. As such, significant forecast errors are made, particularly in arctic regions and winter conditions. Therefore, prediction of turbulence collapse is highly relevant for weather and climate prediction. Key innovation lies in our hypothesis. The collapse of turbulence is explained from a maximum sustainable heat flux hypothesis which foresees in an enforcing positive feedback between the atmosphere and the underlying surface. A comprehensive theory for the transition between the main two nocturnal regimes would be ground-breaking in meteorological literature. We propose an integrated approach, which combines in-depth theoretical work, simulation with models of various hierarchy (DNS, LES, RANS), and observational analysis. Such comprehensive methodology is new with respect to the problem at hand. An innovative element is the usage of Direct Numerical Simulation in combination with dynamical surface interactions. This advanced technique fully resolves turbulent motions up to their smallest scale without the need to rely on subgrid closure assumptions. From a 10-year dataset (200m mast at Cabauw, Netherlands) nights are classified according to their turbulence characteristics. Multi-night composites are used as benchmark-cases to guide realistic numerical modelling. In the validation phase, generality of the results with respect to both climate and surface characteristics is assessed by comparison with the FLUXNET data-consortium, which operates on a long-term basis over 240 sites across the globe.

1 659 580 €

Start date: 2016-01-01, End date: 2020-12-31

By virtue of its computational efficiency, Kohn-Sham (KS) density functional theory (DFT) is the method of choice for the electronic structure calculations in computational chemistry and solid-state physics. Despite its enormous successes, KS DFT’s predictive power and overall usefulness are still hampered by inadequate approximations for near-degenerate and strongly-correlated systems. Crucial examples are transition metal complexes (key for catalysis), stretched chemical bonds (key to predict chemical reactions), technologically advanced functional materials, and manmade nanostructures. I aim to address these fundamental issues, by constructing a novel framework for electronic structure calculations at all correlation regimes. This new approach is based on recent formal developments from my group, which reproduce key features of strong correlation within KS DFT, without any artificial symmetry breaking. My results on the exact infinite-coupling-strength expansion of KS DFT will be used to endow that theory with many-body properties from the ground up, thereby removing its intrinsic bias for weak correlation regimes. This requires novel combinations of ideas from three research communities: chemists and physicists that develop approximations for KS DFT, condensed matter physicists that work on strongly-correlated systems using lattice hamiltonians, and mathematicians working on mass transportation theory. The strong-correlation limit of DFT enables these links by defining a natural framework for extending lattice-based results to the real space continuum. On the other hand, this limit has a mathematical structure formally equivalent to the optimal transport problem of mathematics, enabling adaptation of methods and algorithms. The new approximations will be implemented with the assistance of an industrial partner and validated on representative benchmark chemical and physical systems.

1 999 891 €

Start date: 2015-08-01, End date: 2020-07-31

The traditional formulation of relativistic quantum theory is ill-equipped to handle the range of difficult computations needed to describe particle collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) within a suitable time frame. Yet, recent work shows that probability amplitudes in quantum gauge field theories, such as those describing the Standard Model and its extensions, take surprisingly simple forms. The simplicity indicates deep structure in gauge theory that has already led to dramatic computational improvements, but remains to be fully understood. For precision calculations and investigations of the deep structure of gauge theory, a comprehensive method for computing multi-loop amplitudes systematically and efficiently must be found. The goal of this proposal is to construct a new and complete approach to computing amplitudes from a detailed understanding of their singularities, based on prior successes of so-called on-shell methods combined with the latest developments in the mathematics of Feynman integrals. Scattering processes relevant to the LHC and to formal investigations of quantum field theory will be computed within the new framework.

1 954 065 €

Start date: 2015-10-01, End date: 2020-09-30

Most of the developments in catalyst are still based on serendipitous and trial-and-error approaches, in which potential systems can be overlooked simply because of the sub-optimal conditions of the initial activity assessment. Mechanistic and kinetic studies could provide a framework for a more adequate assessment of new catalysts, but such rigorous experiments are not practical for general catalyst discovery. Modern chemical theory and computations hold a promise to be employed in new efficient theory-guided approaches for rational catalyst and process development. The main aim of DeLiCat is to formulate a hierarchical computational strategy for the design and synthesis of new non-critical metal-based catalysts for sustainable chemical transformations. New, durable and cheap, yet, highly active and selective tailor-made catalyst for hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and their esters as well as for acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols will be developed. The research will follow an innovative strategy combining advanced chemical theory, computational screening and experimental approaches from the fields of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis in an efficient knowledge exchange loop. Computer simulations will reveal complex reaction networks that determine the “death” and the “life” of catalyst systems. These insights will be used in targeted design of novel multifunctional catalyst systems to direct the selectivity of the reaction network and to prevent deactivation paths. Complementary experimental studies will guide and validate the theoretical predictions. DeLiCAT represents a leap forward in unified first principles-guided catalyst design for liquid phase chemical transformations. The new theoretical concepts, methodological advances as well as the novel superior catalyst systems developed here will be applicable in various areas including biomass valorization, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis as well as hydrogen technology.

1 999 524 €

Start date: 2017-05-01, End date: 2022-04-30

Current water treatment technologies are mainly aimed to improve the quality of water. High-value nutrients, like nitrate and phosphate ions, often remain present in waste streams. Electro-driven separation processes offer a sustainable way to recover these nutrients. Ion-selective polymer membranes are a strong candidate to achieve selectivity in such processes. The aim of E-motion is to chemically modify porous electrodes with membranes to introduce selectivity in electro-driven separation processes. New, ultrathin ion-selective films will be designed, synthesized and characterized. The films will be made by successively adsorbing polycations and polyanions onto the electrodes. Selectivity will be introduced by the incorporation of ion-selective receptors. The adsorbed multilayer films will be studied in detail regarding their stability, selectivity and transport properties under varying experimental conditions of salinity, pH and applied electrical field, both under adsorption and desorption conditions. The first main challenge is to optimize and to understand the film architecture in terms of 1) stability towards an electrical field, 2) ability to facilitate ion transport. Also the influence of ion charge and ion size on the transport dynamics will be addressed. The focus of E-motion is set on phosphate ions, which is rather complex due to their large size, pH-dependent speciation and the development of phosphate-selective materials. Theoretical modelling of the solubility equilibria and electrical double layers will be pursued to frame the details of the electrosorption of phosphate. E-motion represents a major step forward in the selective recovery of nutrients from water in a cost-effective, chemical-free way at high removal efficiency. The proposed surface modification strategies and the increased understanding of ion transport and ionic interactions in membrane media offer also applications in the areas of batteries, fuel cells and solar fuel devices.

1 950 000 €

Start date: 2016-11-01, End date: 2021-10-31

ESTUARIES are shallow coastal water bodies with river inflow shaped by biomorphological processes, with patterns of channels and shoals, sand/mud flats, tidal marshes, vegetated banks and peat. Development was influenced by early Holocene landscape that drowned under sealevel rise, and by human interference. Estuaries harbour highly productive natural habitats and are of pivotal economic importance for food production, access to harbours and urban safety. Accelerating sealevel rise, changing river discharge and interference threaten these functions, but we lack fundamental understanding and models to predict combined effects of biomorphological interactions, inherited landscape and changing drivers. We do not understand to what extent present estuary planform shape and shoal patterns resulted from biomorphological processes interacting with inherited conditions and interference. Ecology suggests dominant effects of flow-resisting and sediment de/stabilising eco-engineering species. Yet abiotic physics-based models reproduce channel-shoal patterns surprisingly well, but must assume a fixed planform estuary shape. Holocene reconstructions emphasise inherited landscape- and agricultural effects on this planform shape, yet fossil shells and peat also imply eco-engineering effects. My aims are to develop models for large-scale planform shape and size of sandy estuaries and predict past and future, large-scale effects of biomorphological interactions and inherited conditions. We will significantly advance our understanding by our state-of-the-art eco-morphological model, my unique analogue landscape models with eco-engineers and a new, automated paleogeographic reconstruction of 10 data-rich Holocene estuaries on the south-east North Sea coast. We will systematically compare these to modelled scenarios with biomorphological processes, historic interference and inherited valley geometry and substrate. Outcomes will benefit ecology, archeology, oceanography and engineering

2 000 000 €

Start date: 2015-12-01, End date: 2020-11-30

It is a long held dream of chemical physicists to study (and to control!) the interactions between individual molecules in completely specified collisions. This project brings this goal within reach. I will develop novel methods to study collisions between individual molecules at temperatures between 10 mK and 10 K, and to manipulate their interaction using electric and magnetic fields. Under these cold conditions, the collisions are dominated by quantum effects such as interference and tunneling. Scattering resonances occur that respond sensitively to external electric or magnetic fields, yielding the thrilling perspective to provide “control knobs” to steer the outcome of a collision. Building on my unique experience with state-of-the-art molecular beam deceleration methods, I will study scattering resonances for chemically relevant systems involving molecules such as OH, NO, NH3 and H2CO in crossed beam experiments. Using external electric or magnetic fields, we will tune the positions and widths of resonances, such that collision rates can be changed by orders of magnitude. This type of “collision engineering” will be used to induce and study hitherto unexplored quantum phenomena, such as the merging of individual resonances, and resonant energy transfer in bimolecular collisions. Measurements of exotic collision phenomena under yet unexplored conditions as proposed here provide excellent tests for quantum theories of molecular interactions, and pave the way towards the engineering of novel quantum structures, or the collective properties of interacting molecular systems. The proposed research program will transform this field from merely “probing nature” with the highest possible detail to “manipulating nature” with the highest possible level of control. It will open up a new and intellectually rich research field in chemical physics and physical chemistry, and will be a major breakthrough in the emerging research field of cold molecules.

2 000 000 €

Start date: 2019-03-01, End date: 2024-02-29

"Nanowires are a powerful and versatile platform for a broad range of applications. Among all semiconductors, the heavy-elements materials exhibit the highest electron mobilities, strongest spin-orbit coupling and best thermoelectric properties. Nonetheless, heavy-element nanowires have been unexplored. With this proposal we unite the unique advantages of design freedom of nanowires with the special properties of heavy-element semiconductors. We specifically reveal the potential of heavy-element nanowires in the areas of thermoelectrics, and topological insulators. Using our strong track record in this area, we will pioneer the synthesis of this new class of materials and study their intrinsic materials properties. Starting point are nanowires of InSb and PbTe grown using the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. Our aims are 1) to obtain highest-possible electron mobilities for these bottom-up fabricated materials by investigating new materials combinations of different semiconductor classes to effectively passivate the nanowire surface and we will eliminate impurities; 2) to investigate and optimize thermoelectric properties by developing advanced superlattice and core/shell nanowire structures where electronic and phononic transport is decoupled; and 3) to fabricate high-quality planar nanowire networks, which enable four-point electronic transport measurements and allow precisely determining carrier concentration and mobility. Besides the fundamentally interesting materials science, the heavy-element nanowires will have major impact on the fields of renewable energy, new (quasi) particles and quantum information processing. Recently, the first signatures of Majorana fermions have been observed in our InSb nanowires. With the proposed nanowire networks the special properties of this recently discovered particle can be tested for the first time."

2 698 447 €

Start date: 2014-09-01, End date: 2019-08-31

The aim of this ERC proposal is to develop a highly efficient tunable interface with ion-movement-mediated gating as a rich platform for novel electronic devices by using field effect controlling of quantum phase transitions. Working beyond conventional FETs, the new transistors will be build by combining novel layered semiconductor films grown by the CVD method: newly synthesized ionic material; and a well-defined interface optimized by surface analysis techniques; which jointly are able to boost the field effect control of carrier doping to the range required for switching quantum phases such as superconductivity in electrical transport, ferromagnetism in magnetization, and chiral or coherent light sources in optical applications. The sub-topics are designed to cover sufficiently broad disciplines of material sciences, new device technologies based on electrochemical principles, and condensed-matter physics. Such a design will make the project high adaptable for success at different levels with clear defined objectives to: 1) develop new materials and material combinations for ion gated interfaces to establish a rich platform of quantum phases; 2) utilize these quantum phases for device functionalities enjoying the characteristic abrupt response in phase transitions and to establish control of magnetism by field effect; and 3) create light emitting devices for effectively correlating light emission with quantum phases. The project represents an exciting new research field that is attracting the attention of many research groups around the world. The applicant is a well-established pioneer in developing this rapid growing and highly competitive field, where he achieved major milestones in design, fabrication and operation of quantum phase devices. Embedded in the strong material researches environment of the host institute and in his new group, it is the perfect timing for the applicant to fulfil the dream of creating a new paradigm of electronic devices.

2 000 000 €

Start date: 2015-06-01, End date: 2020-05-31

Mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with electrospray ionization (ESI) is one of the principal tools currently used to gain insight into newly developed catalytic reactions. It is used to identify key reaction intermediates and to study their structure and reactivity. This proposal is based on the combination of modern MS approaches with novel experiments in a unique cryo-trapping instrument. This combination allows the study of short-lived ionic species that cannot be studied by other known methods. Our distinguishing feature is the in situ helium-tagging of ions, which allows us to record their infrared spectra via a pre-dissociation technique. Here, we will go beyond this state-of-the-art approach in two directions: (1) The unparalleled advantage of ESI-MS is its high sensitivity to low-abundant and reactive species. The pertinent question at the heart of all reaction mechanism investigations via MS is how the ions found in the gas-phase relate to the condensed-phase reaction. We will address this question using “Delayed Reactant Labelling”, which will directly link condensed phase kinetics to the abundance of isolated gaseous ions. (2) We will take advantage of long storage times in our cryogenic linear quadrupole trap and expand the portfolio of the methods available to address mixtures of ions with the same mass. Isobaric mixtures are resolved in MS by differences in ion mobilities, i.e. the ions are separated by their mass-to-charge ratios and by their shapes. We will perform ion mobility separation directly in the trap by excitation of the ion secular motion using a resonant dipolar electric field. Further, we will combine cryo-trapping experiments with the probing or modifying of the stored ions by reactive collisions with neutral molecules. The mobility experiments and the reactivity probing will be routinely combined with spectroscopic experiments.

1 612 500 €

Start date: 2016-07-01, End date: 2021-06-30

Aromatic compounds are cheap and readily available, making them ideal starting materials for the synthesis of chiral alicyclic compounds, important synthetic building blocks for both natural product synthesis and drug discovery. However, general strategies for efficient, catalytic dearomatisation of aromatics are lacking. This proposal aims to fill this gap by developing general asymmetric methods for dearomatisation reactions of both electron-rich and electron-deficient aromatics. It relies on an innovative approach based on LA activation of the arenes, followed by copper catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, with a special focus on environmentally benign and cost-effective processes. To achieve the overall aim of the proposed project, the research program is composed of four distinct but complementary research lines aiming at catalytic asymmetric dearomatisation/carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using: - Electron-deficient carbonyl substituted arenes - Pyridines and other N-containing heteroarenes - Phenols and anilines and fused analogues - Benzylic aromatic systems The remarkable and novel feature of this strategy is that it enables for the first time selective catalytic asymmetric dearomatisations of various classes of aromatic substrates following a general, unified concept. Furthermore, since sequential bond constructions take place in a single synthetic operation, a rapid increase of molecular complexity can be achieved at greatly reduced cost and increased atom-efficiency, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future. Consequently, there is huge potential for this strategy to become an invaluable instrument to access a wide variety of chiral carbocyclic compounds and I anticipate it will have a significant impact in the field of organic synthesis.

1 999 398 €

Start date: 2018-09-01, End date: 2023-08-31

Artificial molecular motors and switches have the potential to become a core part of nanotechnology. However, a wide gap in length scales still remains unaccounted for, between the operation of these molecules in solution, where their individual mechanical action is randomly dispersed in the Brownian storm, and on the other hand their action at the macroscopic level, e.g. in polymer networks and crystals. This proposal is about bridging this gap, by developing chemo-mechanical transduction strategies that will allow dynamic molecules to perform a range of unprecedented tasks, e.g. by generating strong directional forces at the nanoscale, and through shape-shifting microscopic formations. This project aims to harness the mechanically-purposeful motion of dynamic molecules as to generate measurable forces from the nanoscale, and ultimately establish operational principles for chemo-mechanical transduction in supramolecular systems. In my wholly synthetic approach, I draw inspiration from the operational principles of microtubules. I will incorporate molecular photo-switches into supramolecular tubes, and enable the controlled growth and disassembly of the tubes by using light as the energy input. Thus, I will: (i) Synthesize stiff supramolecular tubes that grow actively under continuous illumination, and disassemble with a power stroke as soon as illumination stops; (ii) Measure, and harvest the forces generated by the tubes to manipulate individual nanoparticles with a sense of directionality; and (iii) Encapsulate the tubes into water droplets and vesicles, to yield shape-shifting, and eventually rudimentary splitting models for cells. This project reaches beyond the state of the art in adaptive molecular nano-systems, by pioneering strategies to engineer and harness strain in supramolecular assemblies. It thus lays the foundations for machineries that are capable of manipulating matter at length scales that are also those at which the cytoskeleton operates.

2 000 000 €

Start date: 2019-03-01, End date: 2024-02-29

Recent sub-millimeter instruments on the Herschel Space Observatory, operational from 2009-2013, have discovered thousands of sub-millimeter galaxies, whose combined emission forms the cosmic infrared background. A major challenge is to measure their distance, or age, by determining their redshifts, which also has to be based on the sub-millimeter signals (because they do not have an optical counterpart). I propose to develop a new redshift survey instrument, using recent progress in superconducting nanotechnology, which can spectrally resolve a large fraction of the cosmic infrared background from the ground. The instrument is a Multi-Object Spectrometer with an Array of superconducting Integrated Circuits. It consists of a 3D integrated field spectrograph with a 2D array of 25 pixels sparsely filling the re-imaged focal plane of the observatory. For each pixel the instrument measures the radiation spectrum in a 325-905 GHz window with a resolution R=F/δF=500. Additionally the beam of each pixel can be steered electrically to lock onto an individual astronomical object. This allows fast, high accuracy redshift determination of 25 objects simultaneously by measuring the frequency shift of the CII and CO lines. I will develop the instrument, build it, install it on the 10 m Japanese ASTE observatory in Chile and facilitate its use. MOSAIC will be fully based on novel superconducting circuits: a broad-band antenna with electrical beam steering and an on-chip spectrometer, combined on a single chip. The design of the instrument is based on recent developments in superconducting nanotechnology, for signals in the GHz to THz range, in which I am currently playing a leading role. The instrument will be developed with a team of experts in the fields of antennas, spectrometer and readout electronics.

2 400 894 €

Start date: 2016-01-01, End date: 2020-12-31

Antibiotic resistance poses an alarming threat to global health. Most worrisome are the so-called “ESKAPE” pathogens (E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumanii, P. aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species), a collection of organisms capable of escaping the effects of almost all conventional antibiotics. Key to combating drug-resistant bacteria is the identification of new antibacterial targets and the ability to exploit these targets with novel and unconventional antibiotics. The microbial world produces a wealth of antibacterial compounds that, while not suitable for therapeutic use, operate by diverse and unique modes of action. This proposal describes innovative approaches aimed at the discovery and development of such compounds as leads towards novel antibiotics with entirely new modes of action. Using a multidisciplinary approach, firmly grounded in synthetic organic chemistry, I will prepare and validate new antibiotics that target the ESKAPE pathogens by exploiting mechanisms critical to their survival and/or resistance. To tackle the Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogens a number of new approaches to interfering with bacterial cell wall biosynthesis will be examined. Specifically, novel (semi)synthetic compounds capable of binding to and sequestering various bacterial cell wall precursors will be prepared and their antibiotic activity assessed. To address the Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens, inhibitors of the metallo-beta-lactamase enzymes responsible for much of their antibiotic resistance will be pursued. These inhibitors will be achieved via a combination of rational design strategies and innovative natural product screening approaches. The 21st century threat of a post-antibiotic era makes clear the need for innovation in antibacterial drug discovery. The strategies outlined in this proposal address this threat head-on with the aim of delivering valuable lead compounds in pursuit of novel antibiotics.

2 000 000 €

Start date: 2017-06-01, End date: 2022-05-31

Dispersed multiphase flows are encountered in nearly every process in nature and industry; examples include sediment in rivers, catalysts in reactors and blood flow. Despite their relevance, it is currently difficult to accurately and efficiently model these flows. The opacity of the flows, even at moderate volume fractions, renders the common optical flow measurement tools useless. As a result, very little high-quality data is currently available to develop (numerical) models. In this project, I lift the veil that covers multiphase flows. I do this by bringing together four flow measurement modalities, based on ultrasound, magnetic resonance, X-ray and advanced optical imaging. These are each applied to three benchmark flows, impenetrable to common (optical) techniques. This project will be the first focused effort to systematically apply these techniques to the same three benchmark flows. These benchmarks are: (1) a turbulent flow with heavy particles, (2) a laminar flow with relatively large particles and (3) a laminar flow with small particles showing non-Newtonian behaviour. These three flows represent archetypical flows from nature and industry, each pertaining to particular open questions in the field of fluid mechanics. The combined velocity and concentration field data resulting from this set of experiments will be vital in assessing and improving each of the techniques: direct comparison will allow evaluation of the performance and show the effect of acquisition and processing parameters on the accuracy. Detailed simulations using the exact same conditions will serve as further reference. Combined with the multi-modal experimental data, this will give breakthrough insight in the underlying physics of each of the benchmark flows. This in turn will lead to better multiphase flow models, which are demanded by a wide range of application areas (e.g. process technology, dredging, food and cosmetics industry, and hemodynamics research).

1 955 113 €

Start date: 2017-05-01, End date: 2022-04-30

Protein cages appear to be common structures in biology, found in viruses but also in organelle-like containers discovered in bacteria. In this proposed program I aim to study chemical processes in nano-sized protein cages as mimics of bacterial organelles and to increase the general understanding of chemistry in confinement. Towards this goal we will investigate the controlled in vivo loading of bacterial protein cages, i.e. encapsulins, with proteins and enzymes. This will allow us to study in detail the chemical conversions that take place inside such capsules and it will increase understanding about the reasons why certain processes inside these simple organisms are encased in the protein organelles. Completely artificial protein organelles will be constructed by in vitro processes using the well-studied Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle virus cage. By employing DNA technology, cages will be loaded with a single enzyme, a sequence of enzymes or molecular probes. By obtaining this high level of control, we can not only study chemical conversions on the inside, but it will also allow us to monitor the physiochemical properties, such as internal pH, polarity and porosity of the protein mantle by encasing the relevant probes or host/guest systems. In the ultimate stage of the proposed project the formed artificial organelles will be brought into cells in order to interact with the cell metabolism. CCMV has to be introduced by surface modification, while encapsulins can be formed inside these cells; albeit with different cargo. Such experiments have, to my knowledge, not been carried out and introducing new reactions inside these organisms can lead to new potentially interesting products or interfere with cell vitality. The latter can be of importance for the controlled disruption of bacterial cells.

1 994 400 €

Start date: 2014-05-01, End date: 2019-04-30

Optomechanics is a field that aims to detect and control mechanical motion with light, ultimately at the quantum level. Experiments reaching the mechanical quantum ground state established optomechanics as a rapidly growing new field. Now that the quantum ground state has been reached, what is the next step? The current goal of the field is quantum superposition states of motion. An example of this is a mechanical “Schrodinger cat” state, in which a drum is in a quantum superposition of vibrating up and vibrating down at the same time. From a technological perspective, such states could be used as a memory for storage of quantum information, or as a quantum bit itself, performing quantum calculations with a mechanical object. From a fundamental perspective, Schrodinger cat states could be used to explore the limits of macroscopic quantum mechanics and to look for the boundary between the quantum and classical worlds. Despite their recent success, the coupling between light and motion in current implementations is too weak to achieve non-classical motion. Here, I propose a new optomechanical system coupling the motion of a millimeter-sized membrane to quantum microwave “light” in a three-dimensional superconducting cavity. In this new system, I will use the exceptional coherence photons in 3D cavities to strongly enhance the coupling of light and motion. To demonstrate the feasibility of this idea, I present preliminary data from a proof-of-concept device with coupling that is already close to state-of-the-art, with an outlook to scaling significantly beyond implementations shown to date. With the team funded by this project, I will implement these feasible but challenging steps, creating a system with optomechanical coupling that can potentially reach the strong coupling regime for a single photon. Using this new strong coupling, I will bring optomechanics to a new regime where one can create and explore quantum superpositions of massive, macroscopic objects.

1 999 594 €

Start date: 2016-07-01, End date: 2021-06-30

Quantum gravity must violate at least one of three principles at the foundations of physics: unitarity, causality, or the equivalence principle. Recent theoretical work on black holes has shown that such violations are not limited to extremely short distances, where quantum gravity effects are expected, but also occur at distances much larger than the Planck scale. This work has revealed a huge gap in our understanding: we have no working criterion for when quantum gravity violations of the usual laws of physics are important. This theoretical crisis is also an opportunity, since quantum gravity effects may be observable if they occur at longer distance scales. I propose a series of concrete calculations in two theoretical situations: ordinary black holes, which evaporate due to Hawking radiation, and black holes in spacetimes with negative cosmological constant, which do not evaporate. These calculations will quantify, for the first time, the size of these violations.The calculations make use of existing techniques and results derived by myself and others, but a focused effort is needed in order to put together all of the necessary ingredients into a coherent quantitative result. We will then generalize our results beyond black holes to obtain a generally applicable formula. The final result will be an answer to one of the most important questions in quantum gravity: how large are quantum gravity violations of the usual laws of physics? The impact of successfully completing this project extends far beyond black hole physics. As one application, our results will either justify existing calculations of cosmological observables, or make a prediction that quantum gravity effects can be observed.

2 000 000 €

Start date: 2017-09-01, End date: 2022-08-31

I propose to develop a formal framework for automating responsibility, liability and risk checking for intelligent systems. The computational checking mechanisms have models of an intelligent system, an environment and a normative system (e.g., a system of law) as inputs; the outputs are answers to decision problems concerning responsibilities, liabilities and risks. The goal is to answer three central questions, corresponding to three sub-projects of the proposal: (1) What are suitable formal logical representation formalisms for knowledge of agentive responsibility in action, interaction and joint action? (2) How can we formally reason about the evaluation of grades of responsibility and risks relative to normative systems? (3) How can we perform computational checks of responsibilities in complex intelligent systems interacting with human agents? To answer the first two questions, we will design logical specification languages for collective responsibilities and for probability-based graded responsibilities, relative to normative systems. To answer the third question, we will design suitable translations to related logical formalisms, for which optimized model checkers and theorem provers exist. Success of the project will hinge on combining insights from three disciplines: philosophy, legal theory and computer science.

1 968 057 €

Start date: 2014-03-01, End date: 2019-02-28