Project description
A crystal structure analysis of functional materials at the atomic level
During reactions or under external stimuli, materials often undergo structural changes that may vary across nanoscale domains. Current techniques are limited in their ability to analyse complex, mixed phases. The ERC-funded REACT project will develop a novel method to precisely determine crystal structures within multiphased particles at the nanoscale, even down to the unit cell level. This will, for the first time, uncover the structures of previously unknown phases in functional materials and reveal how bond angles and atom site occupancies in crystal structures vary during processes such as intercalation, degradation and diffusion. By applying this method to pressing questions in battery materials and CO2 storage, REACT will help open a whole new research direction in crystal structure analysis.
Objective
Knowing the crystal structure at unit cell level is crucial for understanding and controlling the physical properties of materials and thus for advancing the various fields of materials science. However, for many materials, the arrangement of the atoms within the unit cell varies over nanoscale domains, especially after reactions or under the influence of external factors. Current techniques, such as three-dimensional electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction and atomic resolution imaging techniques, cannot determine unknown crystal structures for phases that are mixed at nanoscale. Therefore, in REACT, I develop a new method to precisely quantify crystal structures varying at nanoscale, and even unit cell scale, across multiphased particles.
The new method will significantly impact materials science by providing, for the first time, the crystal structure of previously unknown phases that occur in functional materials during operation. It will accurately and precisely reveal how their structural parameters - such as chemical bond angles and lengths, and the coordinates and occupancy of atom sites - vary across the particles and change under external influences or reactions. This will give the field of materials science new critical insights into the structural changes accompanying processes like intercalation, degradation and diffusion.
To demonstrate its potential, I apply the technique to open questions in materials science: the phases appearing in Li- and Na-ion battery materials during charge-discharge cycling and the changes in the local structure of metal organic frameworks (MOF) during CO2 intercalation.
This project will generate a whole new research direction in crystal structure analysis. It will open new doors to understanding material behaviour at the nanoscale, contributing to technological advancements and scientific discoveries across the entire field of materials science.
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.
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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-2024-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.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
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.