Objective
The SILEX project aims to fundamentally advance the understanding and control of the physical, chemical, and fluid dynamic processes governing silicon combustion across all relevant scales. Silicon, with its high energy density and ability to yield valuable silica upon oxidation, presents a unique opportunity when sourced from abundant industrial waste. SILEX’s overarching goal is to optimise both clean energy production and the synthesis of nanomaterials with precisely tailored properties, thereby creating a dual-value process from a largely untapped resource.
To achieve this, SILEX combines advanced experimental diagnostics with multi-scale numerical simulations in a stepwise, scale-bridging approach. It begins with the fundamental study of single-particle ignition, oxidation, and sequential conversion from Si to SiO to SiO2. Insights from these experiments will guide the development of a multi-zone reactor that enables active control of post-oxidation, maximising energy yield while steering nanoparticle formation. The research then advances to the collective behaviour of particle suspensions, where inter-particle effects, turbulence, and heat/mass transfer coupling are investigated. This progression culminates in the design and testing of a turbulent burner demonstrator capable of processing real waste streams under industrially relevant conditions.
Beyond its scientific ambition, SILEX addresses a critical industrial challenge: the valorisation of silicon cutting waste from the photovoltaic sector, a material currently relegated to low-value uses or landfill. By converting this residue into a solid, low-carbon energy carrier and high-performance nanomaterials, the project aligns flame physics and chemistry with materials science and process engineering. SILEX thus offers an innovative technological pathway for industrial waste valorisation, supporting Europe’s energy transition, industrial autonomy, and environmental impact reduction.
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.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics fluid dynamics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes
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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-2025-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.
45067 Orleans Cedex 2
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.