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Bio-inspired and bionic materials for enhanced photosynthesis

Project description

Enlightened training in marine biomimetrics research

The amount of solar energy that reaches Earth far exceeds our needs and that of other energy sources at ground level – such as geothermic energy, nuclear power and fossil fuels. Maximising the efficiency of solar energy harvesting systems remains a challenge. The EU-funded BEEP project will train researchers in new biomimetic approaches for light management, taking inspiration from the marine world. Here photosynthetic bacteria and algae are the primary producers while many different organisms like giant clams and corals work together with algae and bacteria for optimal solar light harvesting. BEEP is initiating the first-ever interdisciplinary European research training effort in the area of marine biomimetics to create novel hybrid bionic light-harvesting and energy conversion systems like biophotoreactors.

Objective

The amount of solar energy that reaches the earth’s surface exceeds the global energy demand of humans by about 12 000
times. However, despite huge efforts in the scientific community, harvesting and efficient exploitation of this renewable and
green energy source is still a major challenge for humanity. In the marine world, photosynthetic bacteria and algae
(microalgae and seaweeds) are the predominant primary producers and many different organisms (e.g. corals, giant clams
or photosynthetic sea slugs) cooperate synergistically with algae and bacteria for optimal solar light harvesting and
conversion into chemically bound energy for biosynthesis and growth.
Inspired by such organisms, the “Bio-inspired and Bionic materials for enhanced photosynthesis (BEEP)” project aims to
train researchers in a truly interdisciplinary setting to develop novel bio-mimetic approaches for light management. BEEP’s
specific mission is to design and manufacture hybrid systems combining living organisms and artificial materials: We
envision that by understanding the critical aspects of complex symbiotic interaction in marine organisms we will be able to
create new bionic and bio-inspired system, such as more efficient bio-photoreactors. This truly interdisciplinary research
requires an intersectorial approach by specialized and skilled scientists from different disciplines, combining expertise from marine biology (UCPH, UN, NHM), and microbiology (HOEKMINE) with expertise in optics and spectroscopy (UCAM, IIT,
UCL), chemistry (UNISTRA, UNIBA, BP), and advanced microscopy (TESCAN). BEEP will kick-start an unprecedented
interdisciplinary European research training effort in the emerging area of marine biomimetics with a concomitant strong
emphasis on science outreach and exploitation.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019

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Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 303 172,56
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom

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Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 303 172,56

Participants (9)

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