Project description
Transforming electrocatalysis with high entropy materials
Electrocatalysis faces a critical challenge: understanding and controlling the metastable active interfaces of catalysts, which evolve under reaction conditions. Traditional methods focus on static, initial states, leading to limited progress with elemental or binary alloy catalysts. In this context, the EU-funded DEMI project will use high entropy materials (HEM) to explore vast, multidimensional catalyst spaces. Combining theoretical modelling, high-throughput synthesis, and advanced operando techniques, DEMI will develop new, stable, and active electrocatalysts. Key innovations include evolutionary screening, accelerated atomic-scale characterisation, and high-throughput operando experiments. By establishing a theory of metastability and using active learning approaches, DEMI seeks to advance electrocatalysis for crucial energy conversion reactions, including oxygen reduction and CO2 reduction.
Objective
It is our aim to transform the research field of electrocatalysis from the established “initial (as-synthesized) state approach” to a data-centric understanding of the metastable active interface of electrocatalysts, constantly evolving under reaction conditions. We want to overcome the limitations of elemental or binary alloy catalysts by exploring and exploiting high entropy materials (HEM) as a discovery platform for sustainable materials, with the aim to identify in the extremely large, multidimensional search space new electrocatalysts that are both stable and active.
To understand and control the active interface of HEM electrocatalysts, we combine the core expertises of the PIs: theoretical modelling and simulations, high-throughput synthesis and characterization, nanoparticle synthesis, electrochemical operando techniques as well as machine learning. Our synergistic approach will significantly advance these individual competences by key conceptual innovations: (i) Evolutionary screening of micro-libraries to efficiently identify stable materials covering the complete HEM composition space; (ii) Accelerated atomic-scale characterization of HEM surfaces by combining combinatorial HEM synthesis with atom probe tomography; (iii) High-throughput operando experiments with thin film material libraries; (iv) Developing inverse activity-structure relationships and theoretical descriptors for metastability; v) Implementing active learning approaches based on materials informatics and using a semantic data lake.
We will establish a theory of metastability as a core concept for the understanding of electrocatalysis for the most important energy conversion reactions: oxygen reduction and evolution, and CO2 reduction. Instead of passively accepting the degradation of catalysts during operation, we will direct the evolution through the highly multidimensional space towards long-lasting, active HEM interfaces.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
- social sciences educational sciences pedagogy active learning
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-SyG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.