Project description
Precisely controlled experiments shed light on gas-phase radical chemistry
Gas-phase radicals – atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron – play crucial roles in atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry and combustion processes, yet mechanisms remain poorly understood due to limited experimental capabilities. The ERC-funded TRICKY project will address this by developing innovative experimental methods to investigate gas-phase radical reaction dynamics under precisely controlled conditions. The team will use a unique magnetic guide to study neutral-radical reactions and a novel low-temperature ion trap to investigate processes involving molecular ions. By generating precise and accurate experimental data and collaborating with partners in related fields, the project will fill critical knowledge gaps, improve the accuracy of chemical models and significantly advance understanding of fundamental radical-driven chemistry.
Objective
Gas-phase radicals (atoms or molecules with an unpaired electron) are hugely influential in numerous areas of research. Radicals are responsible for much of the chemistry occurring in the atmosphere, the interstellar medium, in plasmas, and in combustion processes. However, very few existing experimental methods can measure gas-phase radical processes under controlled conditions, resulting in significant unanswered questions across multiple fields. For example, our understanding of atmospheric chemistry and our ability to predict the impact of emissions targets is severely limited by a lack of data. In the absence of experimental measurements, untested assumptions are included in databases and models, hindering the accuracy of their predictions. Here, I will address this long-standing issue.
I will devise new experimental approaches for the study of gas-phase radicals, enabling the reaction dynamics to be probed and addressing high-priority questions in systems relevant to atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry, and surface science. I will build on my track-record of developing state-of-the-art instrumentation and detection methods—controlling the experimental conditions to perform precise measurements. I will use a unique magnetic guide to examine the reactions of neutral radicals and employ a novel low-temperature (–264 degrees Celsius) ion trap to study processes involving molecular ions.
Overall, this research proposal has the potential to transform our understanding of fundamental chemical processes involving radicals. I will initiate new (and strengthen existing) partnerships with experts in adjacent fields, establishing innovative solutions to open research questions. The proposed research has the capacity to fill knowledge gaps, improve the accuracy of complex chemistry models, and to unlock new capabilities in fields as critical as atmospheric science and as diverse as astrochemistry and surface 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.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2025-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
L69 7ZX LIVERPOOL
United Kingdom
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.