Project description
Different diamond anvil cells for different purposes
Static pressure is the amount of air pressure produced by a fan in an enclosure. The standard method of experimentally producing static high pressures is the diamond anvil cell (DAC). Building on many innovations on making and using DACs, the ERC-funded MaCDAC project will manufacture demonstration DACs that can be trialled by collaborators for acceptable cost, ease of use, reliability and performance. Different designs will be optimised for different purposes. For instance, the project expects a global uptake in the use of high-pressure science as it moves from the specialism of a handful of leading labs to a standard method of chemical analysis and materials synthesis.
Objective
"The diamond anvil cell (DAC), a simple but versatile device, is the standard method of experimentally producing static high pressures. It consists of two movable parts containing opposing diamond ""anvils"" with a sample compressed between the polished culets (tips) and held by a metal gasket. We are able to build DACs in the Mechanical Workshop at our institution. During the ERC-Hecate project we have developed many new innovations on making and using DACs. Several groups around the world have expressed interest in using DACs made in Edinburgh. The PoC grant will examine whether this presents a viable commercial opportunity.
We will manufacture demonstration DACs which can be trialled by our collaborators for acceptable cost, ease of use, reliability and performance. Different designs are optimised for different purposes, and we need to know more about other groups' usage patterns. Feedback from this process, particularly of failure rates and modes, will enable us to refine and tailor the designs.
We anticipate a worldwide growth in the use of high pressure science as it moves from the specialism of a handful of leading labs to a standard method of chemical analysis and materials synthesis. The DACs required for such routine use may be different from those we use to reach the highest pressures with highly reactive materials. Moreover, new experimental applications like high temperature, NMR and magnetic measurements may require additional innovations. The PoC grant will allow us to assess this future market, both for size and specification.
We have no experience of commercialisation and marketing, so another essential aspect will be to bring these skills into the Hecate research team. We have identified China as the largest potential market where scientists lack the design and machining skill to make their own, and are currently looking to buy high-specfication DACs."
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 mechanical engineering manufacturing engineering subtractive manufacturing
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - 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.
ERC-POC-LS - ERC Proof of Concept Lump Sum Pilot
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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-2019-PoC
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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.
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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.