Project description
The future of tailored materials
The search for design materials with precisely tailored properties is central to tackling today’s technological and scientific challenges. The ERC-funded METRIQS project aims to pioneer a new approach by fusing two-dimensional van der Waals layers with freestanding transition metal oxides, creating heterostructures whose interfaces actively shape functionality. By controlling the twist angle between oxide layers, researchers will be able to engineer moiré lattices that dramatically alter physical properties, imprint ferroic orders, and enable hybrid functions such as sensing, lubrication, and strain management. METRIQS aims to harness these moiré metamaterials for valleytronics, spin-charge conversion, skyrmion control, and chiral molecule manipulation. This will pave the way for designing materials by interface engineering in unprecedented ways.
Objective
The quest to design materials with tailored properties is a driving force for new scientific and technological horizons and is critical for addressing the grand challenges of humanity. Our proposal introduces an innovative concept in condensed matter and materials science: heterostructures built upon the fusion of 2D van der Waals materials and freestanding transition metal oxides (TMOs), forming a new compound metamaterial where the interface itself plays a crucial and active role in the properties and functionality. Our strategy is threefold. First, by incorporating a 2D layer between two TMO crystals to prevent ionic-covalent bonding and disorder, we can stack the TMOs with a continuous, free choice of twist angle. This will dial in interfacial superstructures called moiré lattices, which impose profound changes in their physical properties. Second, the moiré lattices will ‘imprint’ ferroic orders in the interfacial 2DL, which then act as a spacer, lubricating layer, and sensing layer in one. Moiré engineering has so far been reserved for van der Waals materials, and with METRIQS, we seamlessly merge TMOs with van der Waals materials, creating a highly versatile hybrid platform, where the interaction strength, strain, and dislocation networks can be controlled. Moiré metamaterials are used to study valleytronics and correlated states, control skyrmions, realise spin-charge conversion devices, and control the nucleation of chiral molecules. Our most ambitious endeavour unfolds in the third phase, where we are committed to revolutionising material synthesis by design. This will be achieved through interface manipulation, employing a combination of static and dynamic techniques, including strain, light, and electric/magnetic fields, in conjunction with the precise control of the bilayer twisted oxide as a tuning knob. This project unites two separate scientific communities and material families, in a team with highly complementary skills, knowledge, and resources.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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-2024-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.
2800 KONGENS LYNGBY
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.