Objective Evolved stars are the factories of interstellar dust. This dust is injected into the interstellar medium and plays a key role in the evolution of astronomical objects from galaxies to the embryos of planets. However, the processes involved in dust formation and evolution are still a mystery. The increased angular resolution of new generation telescopes, will provide for the first time a detailed view of the conditions in the dust formation zone of evolved stars, as shown by our first observations with ALMA.We propose to combine astronomical observations, modelling, and top-level experiments to produce star dust analogues in the laboratory and identify the key species and steps that govern their formation. We will build two innovative setups: the Stardust chamber to simulate the atmosphere of evolved stars, and the gas evolution chamber to identify novel molecules in the dust formation zone. We will also improve existing laboratory setups and combine different techniques to achieve original studies on individual dust grains, their processing to produce complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the chemical evolution of grain precursors and how dust grains interact with abundant astronomical molecules. Our simulation chambers will be equipped with state-of-the-art in situ and ex situ diagnostics.Our astrophysical models, improved by the interplay between observations and laboratory studies, will provide powerful tools for the analysis of the wealth of data provided by the new generation of telescopes. In addition, new broad-band state-of-the-art High Electron Mobility Transistor receivers will be built, allowing us to perform an unprecedented astronomical survey of evolved stars and providing an invaluable legacy for any scientist in the field. The synergy between astronomers, vacuum and microwave engineers, molecular and plasma physicists, surface scientists, and theoreticians in NANOCOSMOS is the key to provide a cutting-edge view of cosmic dust. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedsnatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbonsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanetsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencescelestial mechanicsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineembryology Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-2013-SyG - ERC Synergy Grant Call for proposal ERC-2013-SyG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SyG - Synergy grant Lead Principal Investigator José Cernicharo Quintanilla Prof. Coordinator AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS EU contribution € 7 723 339,26 Address Calle serrano 117 28006 Madrid Spain See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator José Cernicharo Quintanilla (Prof.) Administrative Contact Guillermo Sanjuanbenito Garcia (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Spain EU contribution € 7 723 339,26 Address Calle serrano 117 28006 Madrid See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Principal investigator José Cernicharo Quintanilla (Prof.) Administrative Contact Guillermo Sanjuanbenito Garcia (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France EU contribution € 4 193 203,00 Address Rue michel ange 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Patrick Mounaud (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data CENTRO NACIONAL DE INFORMACION GEOGRAFICA Spain EU contribution € 2 250 487,26 Address General ibanez de ibero 3 28003 Madrid See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Emilio López Romero (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD DE VALLADOLID Spain EU contribution € 633 620,68 Address Plaza santa cruz 8 palacio de santa cruz 47002 Valladolid See on map Region Centro (ES) Castilla y León Valladolid Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Calvo Conde Yolanda (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD DE CASTILLA - LA MANCHA Spain EU contribution € 182 610,80 Address Calle altagracia 50 13071 Ciudad real See on map Region Centro (ES) Castilla-La Mancha Ciudad Real Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact María Llanos Carrión Varela (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data