Project acronym CLUSTER
Project organisation of CLoUdS, and implications for Tropical cyclones and for the Energetics of the tropics, in current and in a waRming climate
Researcher (PI) caroline MULLER
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE10, ERC-2018-STG
Summary Few geophysical phenomena are as spectacular as tropical cyclones, with their eye surrounded by sharp cloudy eyewalls. There are other types of spatially organised convection (convection refers to overturning of air within which clouds are embedded), in fact organised convection is ubiquitous in the tropics. But it is still poorly understood and poorly represented in convective parameterisations of global climate models, despite its strong societal and climatic impact. It is associated with extreme weather, and with dramatic changes of the large scales, including drying of the atmosphere and increased outgoing longwave radiation to space. The latter can have dramatic consequences on tropical energetics, and hence on global climate. Thus, convective organisation could be a key missing ingredient in current estimates of climate sensitivity from climate models.
CLUSTER will lead to improved fundamental understanding of convective organisation to help guide and improve convective parameterisations. It is closely related to the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) grand challenge: Clouds, circulation and climate sensitivity. Grand challenges identify areas of emphasis in the coming decade, targeting specific barriers preventing progress in critical areas of climate science.
Until recently, progress on this topic was hindered by high numerical cost and lack of fundamental understanding. Advances in computer power combined with new discoveries based on idealised frameworks, theory and observational findings, make this the ideal time to determine the fundamental processes governing convective organisation in nature. Using a synergy of theory, high-resolution cloud-resolving simulations, and in-situ and satellite observations, CLUSTER will specifically target two feedbacks recently identified as being essential to convective aggregation, and assess their impact on tropical cyclones, large-scale properties including precipitation extremes, and energetics of the tropics.
Summary
Few geophysical phenomena are as spectacular as tropical cyclones, with their eye surrounded by sharp cloudy eyewalls. There are other types of spatially organised convection (convection refers to overturning of air within which clouds are embedded), in fact organised convection is ubiquitous in the tropics. But it is still poorly understood and poorly represented in convective parameterisations of global climate models, despite its strong societal and climatic impact. It is associated with extreme weather, and with dramatic changes of the large scales, including drying of the atmosphere and increased outgoing longwave radiation to space. The latter can have dramatic consequences on tropical energetics, and hence on global climate. Thus, convective organisation could be a key missing ingredient in current estimates of climate sensitivity from climate models.
CLUSTER will lead to improved fundamental understanding of convective organisation to help guide and improve convective parameterisations. It is closely related to the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) grand challenge: Clouds, circulation and climate sensitivity. Grand challenges identify areas of emphasis in the coming decade, targeting specific barriers preventing progress in critical areas of climate science.
Until recently, progress on this topic was hindered by high numerical cost and lack of fundamental understanding. Advances in computer power combined with new discoveries based on idealised frameworks, theory and observational findings, make this the ideal time to determine the fundamental processes governing convective organisation in nature. Using a synergy of theory, high-resolution cloud-resolving simulations, and in-situ and satellite observations, CLUSTER will specifically target two feedbacks recently identified as being essential to convective aggregation, and assess their impact on tropical cyclones, large-scale properties including precipitation extremes, and energetics of the tropics.
Max ERC Funding
1 078 021 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-06-01, End date: 2024-05-31
Project acronym COMBINISO
Project Quantitative picture of interactions between climate, hydrological cycle and stratospheric inputs in Antarctica over the last 100 years via the combined use of all water isotopes
Researcher (PI) Amaelle Israel
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE10, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary Climate change and associated water cycle modifications have a strong impact on polar ice sheets through their influence on the global sea-level. The most promising tool for reconstructing temperature and water cycle evolution in Antarctica is to use water isotopic records in ice cores. Still, interpreting these records is nowadays limited by known biases linked to a too simple description of isotopic fractionations and cloud microphysics. Another key issue in this region is the stratosphere-troposphere flux influencing both the chemistry of ozone and decadal climate change. Data are lacking for constraining such flux even on the recent period (100 years). COMBINISO aims at making use of innovative methods combining measurements of the 5 major water isotopes (H217O, H218O, HTO, HDO, H2O) and global modelling to address the following key points: 1- Provide a strongly improved physical frame for interpretation of water isotopic records in polar regions; 2- Provide a quantitative picture of Antarctica temperature changes and links with the tropospheric water cycle prior to the instrumental period; 3- Quantify recent variability of the stratosphere water vapor input.
The proposed method, based on strong experimental – modelling interaction, includes innovative tools such as (1) the intensive use of the recently developed triple isotopic composition of oxygen in water for constraining water isotopic fractionation, hydrological cycle organisation and potentially stratospheric water input, (2) the development of a laser spectroscopy instrument to accurately measure this parameter in water vapour, (3) modelling development including stratospheric tracers (e.g. HTO and 10Be) in addition to water isotopes in Atmospheric General Circulation Models equipped with a detailed description of the stratosphere, (4) a first documentation of climate, hydrological cycle and stratospheric input in Antarctica through combined measurements of isotopes in ice cores for the last 100 years.
Summary
Climate change and associated water cycle modifications have a strong impact on polar ice sheets through their influence on the global sea-level. The most promising tool for reconstructing temperature and water cycle evolution in Antarctica is to use water isotopic records in ice cores. Still, interpreting these records is nowadays limited by known biases linked to a too simple description of isotopic fractionations and cloud microphysics. Another key issue in this region is the stratosphere-troposphere flux influencing both the chemistry of ozone and decadal climate change. Data are lacking for constraining such flux even on the recent period (100 years). COMBINISO aims at making use of innovative methods combining measurements of the 5 major water isotopes (H217O, H218O, HTO, HDO, H2O) and global modelling to address the following key points: 1- Provide a strongly improved physical frame for interpretation of water isotopic records in polar regions; 2- Provide a quantitative picture of Antarctica temperature changes and links with the tropospheric water cycle prior to the instrumental period; 3- Quantify recent variability of the stratosphere water vapor input.
The proposed method, based on strong experimental – modelling interaction, includes innovative tools such as (1) the intensive use of the recently developed triple isotopic composition of oxygen in water for constraining water isotopic fractionation, hydrological cycle organisation and potentially stratospheric water input, (2) the development of a laser spectroscopy instrument to accurately measure this parameter in water vapour, (3) modelling development including stratospheric tracers (e.g. HTO and 10Be) in addition to water isotopes in Atmospheric General Circulation Models equipped with a detailed description of the stratosphere, (4) a first documentation of climate, hydrological cycle and stratospheric input in Antarctica through combined measurements of isotopes in ice cores for the last 100 years.
Max ERC Funding
1 869 950 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym COMMOTION
Project Communication between Functional Molecules using Photocontrolled Ions
Researcher (PI) Nathan Mcclenaghan
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2007-StG
Summary The goal of COMMOTION is to establish a strategy whereby functional molecular devices (e.g. photo-/electroactive) can communicate with one another in solution and in organized, self-assembled media (biotic and abiotic). Despite intense research, no single strategy has been shown to satisfactorily connect artificial molecular components in networks. This is perhaps the greatest hurdle to overcome if implementation of artificial molecular devices and sophisticated molecule-based arrays are to become a reality. In this project, communication between distant sites / molecules will be based on the use of photoejected ions in solution and organized media (membranes, thin films, nanostructured hosts, micellar nanodomains). Ultimately this will lead to coded information transfer through ion movement, signalled by fluorescent reporter groups and induced by photomodulated receptor groups in small photoactive molecules. Integrated photonic and ionic processes operate efficiently in the biological world for the transfer of information and multiplexing distinct functional systems. Application in small artificial systems, combining “light-in, ion-out” (photoejection of an ion) and “ion-in, light-out” processes (ion-induced fluorescence), has great potential in a bottom-up approach to nanoscopic components and sensors and understanding and implementing logic operations in biological systems. Fast processes of photoejection and migration of ions will be studied in real-time (using time-resolved photophysical techniques) with high spatial resolution (using fluorescence confocal microscopy techniques) allowing evaluation of the versatility of this strategy in the treatment and transfer of information and incorporation into devices. Additionally, an understanding of the fundamental events implicated during the process of photoejection / decomplexion of coordinated ions and ion-exchange processes at membrane surfaces will be obtained.
Summary
The goal of COMMOTION is to establish a strategy whereby functional molecular devices (e.g. photo-/electroactive) can communicate with one another in solution and in organized, self-assembled media (biotic and abiotic). Despite intense research, no single strategy has been shown to satisfactorily connect artificial molecular components in networks. This is perhaps the greatest hurdle to overcome if implementation of artificial molecular devices and sophisticated molecule-based arrays are to become a reality. In this project, communication between distant sites / molecules will be based on the use of photoejected ions in solution and organized media (membranes, thin films, nanostructured hosts, micellar nanodomains). Ultimately this will lead to coded information transfer through ion movement, signalled by fluorescent reporter groups and induced by photomodulated receptor groups in small photoactive molecules. Integrated photonic and ionic processes operate efficiently in the biological world for the transfer of information and multiplexing distinct functional systems. Application in small artificial systems, combining “light-in, ion-out” (photoejection of an ion) and “ion-in, light-out” processes (ion-induced fluorescence), has great potential in a bottom-up approach to nanoscopic components and sensors and understanding and implementing logic operations in biological systems. Fast processes of photoejection and migration of ions will be studied in real-time (using time-resolved photophysical techniques) with high spatial resolution (using fluorescence confocal microscopy techniques) allowing evaluation of the versatility of this strategy in the treatment and transfer of information and incorporation into devices. Additionally, an understanding of the fundamental events implicated during the process of photoejection / decomplexion of coordinated ions and ion-exchange processes at membrane surfaces will be obtained.
Max ERC Funding
1 250 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-09-01, End date: 2013-08-31
Project acronym CoreSat
Project Dynamics of Earth’s core from multi-satellite observations
Researcher (PI) Christopher FINLAY
Host Institution (HI) DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE10, ERC-2017-COG
Summary Earth's magnetic field plays a fundamental role in our planetary habitat, controlling interactions between the Earth and the solar wind. Here, I propose to use magnetic observations, made simultaneously by multiple satellites, along with numerical models of outer core dynamics, to test whether convective processes can account for ongoing changes in the field. The geomagnetic field is generated by a dynamo process within the core converting kinetic energy of the moving liquid metal into magnetic energy. Yet observations show a region of persistently weak field in the South Atlantic that has grown in size in recent decades. Pinning down the core dynamics responsible for this behaviour is essential if we are to understand the detailed time-dependence of the geodynamo, and to forecast future field changes.
Global magnetic observations from the Swarm constellation mission, with three identical satellites now carrying out the most detailed ever survey of the geomagnetic field, provide an exciting opportunity to probe the dynamics of the core in exquisite detail. To exploit this wealth of data, it is urgent that contaminating magnetic sources in the lithosphere and ionosphere are better separated from the core-generated field. I propose to achieve this, and to test the hypothesis that core convection has controlled the recent field evolution in the South Atlantic, via three interlinked projects. First I will co-estimate separate models for the lithospheric and core fields, making use of prior information from crustal geology and dynamo theory. In parallel, I will develop a new scheme for isolating and removing the signature of polar ionospheric currents, better utilising ground-based data. Taking advantage of these improvements, data from Swarm and previous missions will be reprocessed and then assimilated into a purpose-built model of quasi-geostrophic core convection.
Summary
Earth's magnetic field plays a fundamental role in our planetary habitat, controlling interactions between the Earth and the solar wind. Here, I propose to use magnetic observations, made simultaneously by multiple satellites, along with numerical models of outer core dynamics, to test whether convective processes can account for ongoing changes in the field. The geomagnetic field is generated by a dynamo process within the core converting kinetic energy of the moving liquid metal into magnetic energy. Yet observations show a region of persistently weak field in the South Atlantic that has grown in size in recent decades. Pinning down the core dynamics responsible for this behaviour is essential if we are to understand the detailed time-dependence of the geodynamo, and to forecast future field changes.
Global magnetic observations from the Swarm constellation mission, with three identical satellites now carrying out the most detailed ever survey of the geomagnetic field, provide an exciting opportunity to probe the dynamics of the core in exquisite detail. To exploit this wealth of data, it is urgent that contaminating magnetic sources in the lithosphere and ionosphere are better separated from the core-generated field. I propose to achieve this, and to test the hypothesis that core convection has controlled the recent field evolution in the South Atlantic, via three interlinked projects. First I will co-estimate separate models for the lithospheric and core fields, making use of prior information from crustal geology and dynamo theory. In parallel, I will develop a new scheme for isolating and removing the signature of polar ionospheric currents, better utilising ground-based data. Taking advantage of these improvements, data from Swarm and previous missions will be reprocessed and then assimilated into a purpose-built model of quasi-geostrophic core convection.
Max ERC Funding
1 828 708 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-03-01, End date: 2023-02-28
Project acronym COSMOKEMS
Project EXPERIMENTAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE ISOTOPE SIGNATURES OF THE EARLY SOLAR SYSTEM
Researcher (PI) bernard BOURDON
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary This project aims at simulating the processes that took place in the early Solar System to determine how these processes shaped the chemical and isotope compositions of solids that accreted to ultimately form terrestrial planets. Planetary materials exhibit mass dependent and mass independent isotope signatures and their origin and relationships are not fully understood. This proposal will be based on new experiments reproducing the conditions of the solar nebula in its first few million years and on a newly designed Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometer (KEMS) that will be built for the purpose of this project. This project consists of three main subprojects: (1) we will simulate the effect of particle irradiation on solids to examine how isotopes can be fractionated by these processes to identify whether this can explain chemical variations in meteorites. We will examine whether particle irradiation can cause mass independent fractionation, (2) the novel KEMS instrument will be used to determine the equilibrium isotope fractionation associated with reactions between gas and condensed phases at high temperature. It will also be used to determine the kinetic isotope fractionation associated with evaporation and condensation of solids. This will provide new constraints on the thermodynamic conditions, T, P and fO2 during heating events that have modified the chemical composition of planetary materials. These constraints will also help identify the processes that cause the depletion in volatile elements and the fractionation in refractory elements observed in planetesimals and planets, (3) we will examine the effect of UV irradiation on chemical species in the vapour phase as an attempt to reproduce observed isotope compositions found in meteorites or their components. These results may radically change our view on how the protoplanetary disk evolved and how solids were transported and mixed.
Summary
This project aims at simulating the processes that took place in the early Solar System to determine how these processes shaped the chemical and isotope compositions of solids that accreted to ultimately form terrestrial planets. Planetary materials exhibit mass dependent and mass independent isotope signatures and their origin and relationships are not fully understood. This proposal will be based on new experiments reproducing the conditions of the solar nebula in its first few million years and on a newly designed Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometer (KEMS) that will be built for the purpose of this project. This project consists of three main subprojects: (1) we will simulate the effect of particle irradiation on solids to examine how isotopes can be fractionated by these processes to identify whether this can explain chemical variations in meteorites. We will examine whether particle irradiation can cause mass independent fractionation, (2) the novel KEMS instrument will be used to determine the equilibrium isotope fractionation associated with reactions between gas and condensed phases at high temperature. It will also be used to determine the kinetic isotope fractionation associated with evaporation and condensation of solids. This will provide new constraints on the thermodynamic conditions, T, P and fO2 during heating events that have modified the chemical composition of planetary materials. These constraints will also help identify the processes that cause the depletion in volatile elements and the fractionation in refractory elements observed in planetesimals and planets, (3) we will examine the effect of UV irradiation on chemical species in the vapour phase as an attempt to reproduce observed isotope compositions found in meteorites or their components. These results may radically change our view on how the protoplanetary disk evolved and how solids were transported and mixed.
Max ERC Funding
3 106 625 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-10-01, End date: 2021-09-30
Project acronym COULOMBUS
Project Electric Currents in Sediment and Soil
Researcher (PI) Lars Peter Nielsen
Host Institution (HI) AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary "With COULOMBUS I will explore the new electronic world I recently found in marine sediment; a living world featuring transmission of coulombs of electrons over long distances through a grid of unknown origin and composition. This is a great challenge to science, and I will specifically
- Unravel function, expansion, resilience, and microbial engineering of the conductive grid
- Identify microbial and geological processes related to long distance electron transfer today and in the past
- Introduce the electron as a new element in biogeochemical and ecological models.
- Map the range of sediment and soil habitats featuring biogeoelectric currents
Incubations of marine sediment will serve as the “base camp” for the surveys. Here I consistently observe that current sources extending centimetres down deliver electrons for most of the oxygen consumption, and here my array of advanced microsensors and biogeochemical methods works well. My team will record electric currents and biogeochemical changes as we manipulate mechanical, chemical, and biological conditions, thereby getting to an understanding of the interplay between conductors, microorganisms, electron donors, electron acceptors, and minerals. Next we take the methods out in the sea to evaluate biogeoelectricity in situ using robots. Other aquatic environments will also be screened. The ultimate outdoor challenge will come as I lead the team into soils where surface potentials suggest biogeoelectric currents deep down. All observations, experiments, and models will be directed to answer the groundbreaking questions: What physics and microbial engineering can explain long distance electron conductance in nature? How do electric microbial communities evolve and how do they shape element cycling? What signatures of biogeoelectricity are left in the geological record of earth history? If I succeed I will have opened up many new exciting research routes for the followers."
Summary
"With COULOMBUS I will explore the new electronic world I recently found in marine sediment; a living world featuring transmission of coulombs of electrons over long distances through a grid of unknown origin and composition. This is a great challenge to science, and I will specifically
- Unravel function, expansion, resilience, and microbial engineering of the conductive grid
- Identify microbial and geological processes related to long distance electron transfer today and in the past
- Introduce the electron as a new element in biogeochemical and ecological models.
- Map the range of sediment and soil habitats featuring biogeoelectric currents
Incubations of marine sediment will serve as the “base camp” for the surveys. Here I consistently observe that current sources extending centimetres down deliver electrons for most of the oxygen consumption, and here my array of advanced microsensors and biogeochemical methods works well. My team will record electric currents and biogeochemical changes as we manipulate mechanical, chemical, and biological conditions, thereby getting to an understanding of the interplay between conductors, microorganisms, electron donors, electron acceptors, and minerals. Next we take the methods out in the sea to evaluate biogeoelectricity in situ using robots. Other aquatic environments will also be screened. The ultimate outdoor challenge will come as I lead the team into soils where surface potentials suggest biogeoelectric currents deep down. All observations, experiments, and models will be directed to answer the groundbreaking questions: What physics and microbial engineering can explain long distance electron conductance in nature? How do electric microbial communities evolve and how do they shape element cycling? What signatures of biogeoelectricity are left in the geological record of earth history? If I succeed I will have opened up many new exciting research routes for the followers."
Max ERC Funding
2 155 300 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-03-01, End date: 2017-02-28
Project acronym CRESUCHIRP
Project Ultrasensitive Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform mm-Wave Detection of Transient Species in Uniform Supersonic Flows for Reaction Kinetics Studies under Extreme Conditions
Researcher (PI) Ian SIMS
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITE DE RENNES I
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE4, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary This proposal aims to develop a combination of a chirped-pulse (sub)mm-wave rotational spectrometer with uniform supersonic flows generated by expansion of gases through Laval nozzles and apply it to problems at the frontiers of reaction kinetics.
The CRESU (Reaction Kinetics in Uniform Supersonic Flow) technique, combined with laser photochemical methods, has been applied with great success to perform research in gas-phase chemical kinetics at low temperatures, of particular interest for astrochemistry and cold planetary atmospheres. Recently, the PI has been involved in the development of a new combination of the revolutionary chirped pulse broadband rotational spectroscopy technique invented by B. Pate and co-workers with a novel pulsed CRESU, which we have called Chirped Pulse in Uniform Flow (CPUF). Rotational cooling by frequent collisions with cold buffer gas in the CRESU flow at ca. 20 K drastically increases the sensitivity of the technique, making broadband rotational spectroscopy suitable for detecting a wide range of transient species, such as photodissociation or reaction products.
We propose to exploit the exceptional quality of the Rennes CRESU flows to build an improved CPUF instrument (only the second worldwide), and use it for the quantitative determination of product branching ratios in elementary chemical reactions over a wide temperature range (data which are sorely lacking as input to models of gas-phase chemical environments), as well as the detection of reactive intermediates and the testing of modern reaction kinetics theory. Low temperature reactions will be initially targeted; as it is here that there is the greatest need for data. A challenging development of the technique towards the study of high temperature reactions is also proposed, exploiting existing expertise in high enthalpy sources.
Summary
This proposal aims to develop a combination of a chirped-pulse (sub)mm-wave rotational spectrometer with uniform supersonic flows generated by expansion of gases through Laval nozzles and apply it to problems at the frontiers of reaction kinetics.
The CRESU (Reaction Kinetics in Uniform Supersonic Flow) technique, combined with laser photochemical methods, has been applied with great success to perform research in gas-phase chemical kinetics at low temperatures, of particular interest for astrochemistry and cold planetary atmospheres. Recently, the PI has been involved in the development of a new combination of the revolutionary chirped pulse broadband rotational spectroscopy technique invented by B. Pate and co-workers with a novel pulsed CRESU, which we have called Chirped Pulse in Uniform Flow (CPUF). Rotational cooling by frequent collisions with cold buffer gas in the CRESU flow at ca. 20 K drastically increases the sensitivity of the technique, making broadband rotational spectroscopy suitable for detecting a wide range of transient species, such as photodissociation or reaction products.
We propose to exploit the exceptional quality of the Rennes CRESU flows to build an improved CPUF instrument (only the second worldwide), and use it for the quantitative determination of product branching ratios in elementary chemical reactions over a wide temperature range (data which are sorely lacking as input to models of gas-phase chemical environments), as well as the detection of reactive intermediates and the testing of modern reaction kinetics theory. Low temperature reactions will be initially targeted; as it is here that there is the greatest need for data. A challenging development of the technique towards the study of high temperature reactions is also proposed, exploiting existing expertise in high enthalpy sources.
Max ERC Funding
2 100 230 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-09-01, End date: 2021-08-31
Project acronym DEEPTIME
Project Probing the history of matter in deep time
Researcher (PI) Martin BIZZARRO
Host Institution (HI) KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2018-ADG
Summary The solar system represents the archetype for the formation of rocky planets and habitable worlds. A full understanding of its formation and earliest evolution is thus one of the most fundamental goals in natural sciences. The only tangible record of the formative stages of the solar system comes from ancient meteorites and their components some of which date back to the to the birth of our Sun. The main objective of this proposal is to investigate the timescales and processes leading to the formation of the solar system, including the delivery of volatile elements to the accretion regions of rocky planets, by combining absolute ages, isotopic and trace element compositions as well as atomic and structural analysis of meteorites and their components. We identify nucleosynthetic fingerprinting as a tool allowing us to probe the history of solids parental to our solar system across cosmic times, namely from their parent stars in the Galaxy through their modification and incorporation into disk objects, including asteroidal bodies and planets. Our data will be obtained using state-of-the-art instruments including mass-spectrometers (MC-ICPMS, TIMS, SIMS), atom probe and transmission electron microscopy. These data will allow us to: (1) provide formation timescales for presolar grains and their parent stars as well as understand how these grains may control the solar system’s nucleosynthetic variability, (2) track the formation timescales of disk reservoirs and the mass fluxes between and within these regions (3) better our understanding of the timing and flux of volatile elements to the inner protoplanetary disk as well as the timescales and mechanism of primordial crust formation in rocky planets. The novel questions outlined in this proposal, including high-risk high-gain ventures, can only now be tackled using pioneering methods and approaches developed by the PI’s group and collaborators. Thus, we are in a unique position to make step-change discoveries.
Summary
The solar system represents the archetype for the formation of rocky planets and habitable worlds. A full understanding of its formation and earliest evolution is thus one of the most fundamental goals in natural sciences. The only tangible record of the formative stages of the solar system comes from ancient meteorites and their components some of which date back to the to the birth of our Sun. The main objective of this proposal is to investigate the timescales and processes leading to the formation of the solar system, including the delivery of volatile elements to the accretion regions of rocky planets, by combining absolute ages, isotopic and trace element compositions as well as atomic and structural analysis of meteorites and their components. We identify nucleosynthetic fingerprinting as a tool allowing us to probe the history of solids parental to our solar system across cosmic times, namely from their parent stars in the Galaxy through their modification and incorporation into disk objects, including asteroidal bodies and planets. Our data will be obtained using state-of-the-art instruments including mass-spectrometers (MC-ICPMS, TIMS, SIMS), atom probe and transmission electron microscopy. These data will allow us to: (1) provide formation timescales for presolar grains and their parent stars as well as understand how these grains may control the solar system’s nucleosynthetic variability, (2) track the formation timescales of disk reservoirs and the mass fluxes between and within these regions (3) better our understanding of the timing and flux of volatile elements to the inner protoplanetary disk as well as the timescales and mechanism of primordial crust formation in rocky planets. The novel questions outlined in this proposal, including high-risk high-gain ventures, can only now be tackled using pioneering methods and approaches developed by the PI’s group and collaborators. Thus, we are in a unique position to make step-change discoveries.
Max ERC Funding
2 495 496 €
Duration
Start date: 2020-01-01, End date: 2024-12-31
Project acronym DiluteParaWater
Project Long-Lived Nuclear Magnetization in Dilute Para-Water
Researcher (PI) Geoffrey Bodenhausen
Host Institution (HI) ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE4, ERC-2013-ADG
Summary The magnetization of hydrogen nuclei in H2O constitutes the basis of most applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI.) Only ortho-water, where the two proton spins are in states that are symmetric with respect to permutation, features NMR-allowed transitions. Para-water is analogous to para-hydrogen, where the two proton spins are anti-symmetric with respect to permutation. The objective of this proposal is to render para-H2O accessible to observation. Several strategies will be developed for its preparation and observation in solids, liquids and gas phase, with yields up to 33%. When diluted in acetonitrile at room temperature, we found that Tortho(H2O) = 6 s. Based on experiments on H2C groups where Tpara/Tortho > 37, we conservatively estimate that Tpara/Tortho > 10 for H2O, so that we expect Tpara = 60 s. Dilution in aprotic solvents inhibits the exchange of protons and extends the lifetimes t(H2O) of water molecules from ca. 1 ms in pure water to 10 s and beyond, so that proton exchange does not hamper the use para-water. The ratio Tpara/Tortho of H2O depends on temperature, viscosity, paramagnetic agents, etc., which affect intra- and inter-molecular dipole-dipole interactions, chemical shift anisotropy, and spin rotation. In cases where proton exchange significantly shortens the lifetime of para-H2O, we shall prepare and observe para-ethanol and aqueous solutions of para-glycine, which cannot suffer from proton exchange, and allow similar perspectives as para-water. In conventional MRI, contrast stems mostly from spatial variations of T1 and T2. By monitoring the ratio Tpara/Tortho as a function of spatial coordinates, it will be possible to obtain a novel type of contrast. In suitable phantoms and porous media, para-water will allow us to characterize slow transport phenomena such as flow, diffusion, and electrophoretic mobility. The study of transport phenomena will become possible over longer time intervals, lower velocities or greater distances.
Summary
The magnetization of hydrogen nuclei in H2O constitutes the basis of most applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI.) Only ortho-water, where the two proton spins are in states that are symmetric with respect to permutation, features NMR-allowed transitions. Para-water is analogous to para-hydrogen, where the two proton spins are anti-symmetric with respect to permutation. The objective of this proposal is to render para-H2O accessible to observation. Several strategies will be developed for its preparation and observation in solids, liquids and gas phase, with yields up to 33%. When diluted in acetonitrile at room temperature, we found that Tortho(H2O) = 6 s. Based on experiments on H2C groups where Tpara/Tortho > 37, we conservatively estimate that Tpara/Tortho > 10 for H2O, so that we expect Tpara = 60 s. Dilution in aprotic solvents inhibits the exchange of protons and extends the lifetimes t(H2O) of water molecules from ca. 1 ms in pure water to 10 s and beyond, so that proton exchange does not hamper the use para-water. The ratio Tpara/Tortho of H2O depends on temperature, viscosity, paramagnetic agents, etc., which affect intra- and inter-molecular dipole-dipole interactions, chemical shift anisotropy, and spin rotation. In cases where proton exchange significantly shortens the lifetime of para-H2O, we shall prepare and observe para-ethanol and aqueous solutions of para-glycine, which cannot suffer from proton exchange, and allow similar perspectives as para-water. In conventional MRI, contrast stems mostly from spatial variations of T1 and T2. By monitoring the ratio Tpara/Tortho as a function of spatial coordinates, it will be possible to obtain a novel type of contrast. In suitable phantoms and porous media, para-water will allow us to characterize slow transport phenomena such as flow, diffusion, and electrophoretic mobility. The study of transport phenomena will become possible over longer time intervals, lower velocities or greater distances.
Max ERC Funding
2 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-01-01, End date: 2018-12-31
Project acronym DINAMIX
Project Real-time diffusion NMR analysis of mixtures
Researcher (PI) Jean-Nicolas DUMEZ
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE4, ERC-2018-STG
Summary Chemical samples often come as solution mixtures. While advanced analytical methods exist for samples at equilibrium, the information on components and their interactions that may be accessed for the frequent and important case of out-of-equilibrium mixtures is much more limited. The DINAMIX project will tackle this challenge and provide detailed, molecular-level information on out-of-equilibrium mixtures. The proposed concept relies on diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a powerful method that separates the spectra of mixtures’ components and identifies interactions, in correlation with structural insight provided by NMR observables. While classic experiments require several minutes, spatial encoding (SPEN) in principle makes it possible to acquire data orders of magnitude faster, in less than a second. The PI has recently demonstrated that SPEN diffusion NMR is a general concept, with the potential to provide real-time information on out-of-equilibrium mixtures. These include a vast range of systems undergoing chemical change, as well as the important class of “hyperpolarised” solution mixtures generated by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarisation (D-DNP). D-DNP indeed provides dramatic NMR sensitivity enhancements of up to 4 orders of magnitude, which however last only for a short time in solution. In the DINAMIX project, we will develop i/ novel robust and accurate real-time diffusion NMR methods, ii/ advanced algorithms for data processing and analysis, iii/ protocols for sensitive component identification. We will exploit the resulting methodology for mechanistic investigations into catalytic organic and enzymatic reactions. The real-time diffusion NMR analysis of systems that are out-of-chemical equilibrium, far-from-spin-equilibrium or both will provide transformative insight on mixtures, with applications in chemical synthesis, supramolecular and polymer science, structural biology, and microstructural studies in materials and in vivo.
Summary
Chemical samples often come as solution mixtures. While advanced analytical methods exist for samples at equilibrium, the information on components and their interactions that may be accessed for the frequent and important case of out-of-equilibrium mixtures is much more limited. The DINAMIX project will tackle this challenge and provide detailed, molecular-level information on out-of-equilibrium mixtures. The proposed concept relies on diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a powerful method that separates the spectra of mixtures’ components and identifies interactions, in correlation with structural insight provided by NMR observables. While classic experiments require several minutes, spatial encoding (SPEN) in principle makes it possible to acquire data orders of magnitude faster, in less than a second. The PI has recently demonstrated that SPEN diffusion NMR is a general concept, with the potential to provide real-time information on out-of-equilibrium mixtures. These include a vast range of systems undergoing chemical change, as well as the important class of “hyperpolarised” solution mixtures generated by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarisation (D-DNP). D-DNP indeed provides dramatic NMR sensitivity enhancements of up to 4 orders of magnitude, which however last only for a short time in solution. In the DINAMIX project, we will develop i/ novel robust and accurate real-time diffusion NMR methods, ii/ advanced algorithms for data processing and analysis, iii/ protocols for sensitive component identification. We will exploit the resulting methodology for mechanistic investigations into catalytic organic and enzymatic reactions. The real-time diffusion NMR analysis of systems that are out-of-chemical equilibrium, far-from-spin-equilibrium or both will provide transformative insight on mixtures, with applications in chemical synthesis, supramolecular and polymer science, structural biology, and microstructural studies in materials and in vivo.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 307 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-02-01, End date: 2024-01-31
