Project description
Profiling interstellar gas-icy dust reactions and their products
Which molecules exist in interstellar space and how they are formed are questions of fundamental importance to understanding the origins and evolution of the universe and life in it. Over 300 molecules have been identified so far, from simple gases to complex organic molecules. Interactions between interstellar gas and icy dust particles likely played critical roles in their formation. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STARS project aims to leverage advanced computational techniques to model potential reactions and then compare the resulting abundance of gas phase products to experimental data. To enable this, STARS will determine key energetic parameters of such reactions based on relevant molecules in ice structures.
Objective
"Over 300 molecules have been identified in interstellar space, ranging from simple H2 to complex organic molecules such as ethanolamine. In the extreme conditions of interstellar space, gas-phase reactions alone cannot explain their formation, and ice-covered dust particles are believed to play a crucial role. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms of interaction between interstellar gas and icy dust particles, or how these ice surfaces might ""catalyze"" the necessary chemical reactions. In particular, the effect of charge remains poorly understood. The STARS project aims to establish a new framework to investigate these interactions on both neutral and charged ice particles using state-of-the-art computational techniques. I will construct representative ice structures, calculate binding energies of astrochemically relevant molecules, and compute free energy profiles and rate coefficients for a paradigmatic set of reactions. In collaboration with leading experts in the field, I will also assess the impact of these interactions on resulting gas-phase abundances, enabling accurate benchmarking against experimental data. This interdisciplinary project bridges astrochemistry and surface science, with the potential to deepen our understanding of how interstellar icy dust particles drive the chemical evolution of the universe. To achieve the objectives of the STARS project, I will conduct my research at the University of Antwerp’s Chemistry Department under the supervision of Prof. Neyts, a leading expert in molecular simulations. This project will also strengthen my academic profile, preparing me for advanced funding opportunities and enabling me to establish my own research group."
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.
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
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.