Project description
Rethinking how iron is made
Ironmaking is heading for a reckoning. As demand for greener steel soars, scientists are considering low-temperature electrolysis. This method could run on renewable electricity and economical iron oxide feedstocks. However, the underlying mechanisms remain a mystery. The ERC-funded EcoIron project aims to identify how metal forms during electrodeposition under heterogeneous electrolyte conditions. Specifically, it will study the transformation of iron oxides, track the growth of delicate iron dendrites with advanced X-ray imaging, and model the complex interplay between particle, ion and current transport phenomena, reaction kinetics and phase change (nucleation and growth). The findings will pave the way for a new continuous process for producing electrolytic iron powder, laying the groundwork for cleaner steelmaking and next-generation energy storage.
Objective
We are on the eve of a worldwide ironmaking transition. Low-temperature electrolysis (/electrodeposition) for ironmaking has recently received increasing attention as it makes direct usage of (renewable) electricity. One problem, fundamental understanding of metal electrodeposition is largely lacking. Nobody truly understands the process. With EcoIron I want to devote my knowledge in experimental and numerical chemical engineering process to the challenge of leveraging the state-of-the-art metal electrodeposition science. Such knowledge has a huge application potential in green steel production and iron-based energy storage.
Four work packages (WP) are outlined:
1.to determine the governing mechanism and kinetics of oxide-to-iron electrochemical transformation from systematic experiments and characterization. The outcome will close a long-lasting scientific debate on dissolution-redeposition vs. solid-state reduction mechanism.
2.to unveil the mechanism and conditions for formation and microstructure evolution of iron dendrites using advanced X-ray visualization techniques. The impact of this groundbreaking knowledge stretches beyond the metal production community to the rechargeable battery community.
3.to clarify the roles of particle-bubble transport and species-current transfer via advanced CFD-electrochemical coupled modelling, offering strategies to enable faster conversion. This will lead to a breakthrough in metal electrowinning technologies and an advanced numerical tool for the scientific community.
4.to demonstrate a novel process for continuous production of electrolytic iron powder. This unites, translates, and validates the scientific knowledge from WPs1-3.
The combined outcomes in this project constitute a breakthrough in the metal electrodeposition science. EcoIron is a beginning, which lays a robust foundation for more inclusive scientific and technological advance in the field on electrolysis for metal production to drive the sustainability
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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)
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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
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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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.
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands
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