Project description DEENESFRITPL Breakthrough geochronological method could determine the timing of mineral salts Lyoluminescence is the emission of light while dissolving a previously irradiated solid into a liquid solvent. The total amount of light increases proportionally with the radiation dose absorbed by the material after crystallisation. The lyoluminescence signal resetting through dissolution and recrystallisation renders the process a potential dating tool for the last 10 thousand to 5 million years. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Lyoluminescence project aims to use this form of luminescence as a dating tool for salts. Researchers expect that lyoluminescence naturally occurring in salt minerals will allow dating the last recrystallisation event more accurately compared to conventional luminescence-dating methods. If successful, researchers could routinely use this process in Quaternary geochronology. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Sufficient knowledge of the timing and dynamic of Quaternary (last 2.58 million years) climate phases through palaeoenvironmental studies is indispensable for accurate risk assessment and decision-making towards climate resilience of our modern societies. Geochronological frameworks are the backbones of such studies, and new and innovative chronological tools can further boost their impact and value towards a better adaption to climate change. Our project, Lyoluminescence, is about innovation in geochronology designed to contribute to the mission goals of Horizon Europe: “Adaption to Climate Change”. Lyoluminescence is the emission of light while dissolving a previously irradiated solid (such as sodium chloride) into a liquid solvent (water) due to the production of free radicals in the solution. The amount of light increases proportionally with the radiation dose absorbed by the material after crystallisation. Therefore, the process is a suitable candidate to be exploited as a dating method. The signal resetting through dissolution and recrystallisation renders lyoluminescence a potentially dating tool for the last 10 thousand to 5 million years. The aim of this project is the breakthrough development of lyoluminescence as a dating tool on salts (sodium chloride and potassium chloride) for application in geography & Earth sciences. We hypothesise that lyoluminescence naturally occurring in salt minerals such as halite and sylvite will allow dating the last recrystallisation event beyond the age limits of conventional luminescence-dating methods and that these features can be exploited for routine use in Quaternary geochronology. Our project will (1) design, develop and test a new portable lyoluminescence reader, (2) apply the newly developed device to natural salt sites to develop dating protocols and analysis routines, and (3), if successful, map out a commercialisation plan. The project will be hosted at the Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Germany. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogy Keywords Luminescence dating Geochronology Method development Programme(s) HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme Topic(s) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01-01 - MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 Call for proposal HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-PF - MSCA-PF Coordinator RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG Net EU contribution € 189 687,36 Address SEMINARSTRASSE 2 69117 Heidelberg Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data
