Project description
Biologically engineered energy storage and generation
The ERC-funded Energion project aims to develop an energy storage system that integrates a biological voltage source with a biological supercapacitor to provide high energy and power capacities in a lightweight sustainable packaging. To assemble the smart microstructure system, it will use proteins, molecules and lipids together with synthetic materials in an array of interconnected vesicles to control ion gradients produced by cotransport proteins within the vesicle membranes. Its energy performance will then be tested by packaging the system to provide power for typical nomadic, implant or ambulatory devices. The system will offer easy assembly and scalability. Compared to existing battery technology, it will be more eco-friendly, reliable, longer lasting and safer.
Objective
This project aims to create a “green” energy storage system that integrates a biological voltage source with a biological supercapacitor to achieve large energy and power capacities in a light-weight sustainable packaging. The project re-defines the concept of “biological engineering” to be one that utilizes proteins, molecules and lipids in combination with synthetic materials to assemble the smart micro/nanostructured energy storage system. There are at least four advantages to this “biological engineering” approach, including (i) the capability for self-assembly, (ii) the easy scalability that follows from using self-assembly, (iii) the easy assembly into 3D structures, and (iv) up to 1000-fold less energy requirements for switching functions compared to state-of-the-art ENODe systems. Moreover, the use of biological components can overcome limitations of existing battery technology, by improving the ecological footprint and environmental sustainability, and by enhancing lifetime, reliability, and safety. The system will be assembled as an array of interconnected vesicles to form a compartmental system to control ion gradients established by co-transport proteins incorporated in the interconnecting vesicle membranes. The system utilises the ion gradient to sustain a stable voltage output, and as a supercapacitor to store energy. The stable voltage output and supercapacitor function are sustained from ion gradients and not catalytic electrochemical reactions. Since the system will function both as a generator and an energy accumulator, we anticipate power management would require an integrated design, rather than a discrete design used for traditional source/supercapacitor systems. The energy capabilities will be tested by packaging the system to provide power for an illustrative device that is either a typical nomadic device (e.g. smartphone), a typical implantable medical device (e.g. cardiac pacemaker), or a typical ambulatory device (e.g. drone).
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 biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics autonomous robots drones
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications mobile phones
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electrical engineering power engineering
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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 - HORIZON ERC 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-ADG
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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.
38058 Grenoble
France
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.