Obiettivo In a truly cross-disciplinary research project encompassing surface science, astrophysics and chemistry we aim to address two of the major outstanding questions in the field of astrochemistry, namely i) how molecular hydrogen, the most abundant molecule in the interstellar medium, form, and ii) whether it is possible to identify specific Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) species in interstellar spectra. The insights gained from the experimental investigations may revolutionize our current understanding of astrochemistry and will have impact even beyond the field. Special emphasis will be placed on the impact our findings will have on ascertaining the suitability of PAHs as a hydrogen storage medium. By combining scanning tunneling microscopy, thermal desorption spectroscopy, laser-induced thermal desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry, fluorescence spectroscopy experiments and density functional theory calculations we will map out the interaction of atomic hydrogen with PAHs. The goal of the investigation is to obtain atomic level understanding of the atomic hydrogen – PAH interaction in order to i) ascertain whether interstellar molecular hydrogen formation, contrary to present belief but in accordance with our recent calculations, could occur predominantly via interaction with PAHs, ii) measure the adsorption/emission spectrum of Hydrogen-PAH complexes and thereby facilitate observational detection of these complexes in the interstellar medium, iii) determine whether PAHs are a promising medium for hydrogen storage and iv) ascertain whether the hydrogen storage properties of PAHs are tunable by electro-magnetic radiation. This ambitious and cross-disciplinary research project will predominantly take place at the newly established Surface Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Aarhus, headed by the applicant, but will also benefit from fruitful collaborations already initiated with local, national and international colleagues. Campo scientifico natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopyemission spectroscopynatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbonsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencescelestial mechanicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyscanning tunneling microscopynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrochemistry Parole chiave astrochemistry hydrogen storage interstellar chemistry polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Programma(i) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) ERC-SG-PE4 - ERC Starting Grant - Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences Invito a presentare proposte ERC-2007-StG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Istituzione ospitante AARHUS UNIVERSITET Contributo UE € 1 499 810,00 Indirizzo NORDRE RINGGADE 1 8000 Aarhus C Danimarca Mostra sulla mappa Regione Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Ricercatore principale Liv Hornekaer (Dr.) Contatto amministrativo Grethe Baasch Thomsen (Ms.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato Beneficiari (1) Classifica in ordine alfabetico Classifica per Contributo UE Espandi tutto Riduci tutto AARHUS UNIVERSITET Danimarca Contributo UE € 1 499 810,00 Indirizzo NORDRE RINGGADE 1 8000 Aarhus C Mostra sulla mappa Regione Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Ricercatore principale Liv Hornekaer (Dr.) Contatto amministrativo Grethe Baasch Thomsen (Ms.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato
