Project description
Uncovering the hidden world of crystal growth
Crystalline materials are indispensable to modern life, but their origin is known only to a select few, leaving many researchers unaware of the multidisciplinary nature of crystal production. In this context, the ERC-funded HANDSOME project aims to bring the captivating world of crystal growth into educational curricula at various levels. By starting with relatable concepts like heat transfer and phase changes, HANDSOME will make the science accessible to all. Through their innovative EduCrys setup, which mimics industrial crystal production, the project promises to deliver an interactive learning experience for schools and universities. Using open hardware and software, it will bridge the gap between high-tech industries and the classroom.
Objective
"Crystalline materials are indispensable to modern life, and the development of crystal growth processes for novel materials remains an important challenge in materials science and engineering. However, the knowledge about these processes is limited to very select, specialist communities. Researchers from different fields often use crystals just as ""products"" without being aware of the exciting multi-disciplinary background of their production processes. The HANDSOME project aims to facilitate the integration of this topic in educational curricula at various levels. We will adopt a macroscopic perspective on crystal growth, starting with heat transfer phenomena and phase changes between solid and liquid states, which can be related to many aspects of everyday life such as cooking or weather. A modular hands-on setup (EduCrys) will be developed to demonstrate the growth of tin crystals from melt using a process very similar to the industrial production of silicon crystals for microelectronics. Various sensors will be utilized to measure the temperature or power consumption. In the HANDSOME project, we envision EduCrys as a unique, innovative educational product for both schools and universities. We will follow the principles of open hardware with low-cost components and open source control software to maximize accessibility and customizability. The EduCrys setup will allow the transfer of knowledge from high-tech industries and specialized research labs to the classroom while preserving the possibility of hands-on experience and therefore increasing interactivity in science education. The HANDSOME project aims to reach a new level of awareness in the society about the challenges of modern materials science, in particular the production processes of crystalline materials, their energy-efficiency, and their environmental impact."
Fields of science
- social scienceseducational sciencesdidactics
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcrystals
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringthermodynamic engineering
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesthermodynamics
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputational sciencemultiphysics
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
12489 Berlin
Germany