Project description
New opportunities in radiation detection
Radiation detection underpins a plethora of strategic applications and is critical to our understanding of the high-energy events associated with the origin of the universe. Shortcomings of conventional inorganic scintillator crystals and newer organic ones pose barriers to progress regarding both applications and fundamental understanding in cosmology and high-energy/particle physics. The European Innovation Council-funded UNICORN project intends to overcome these barriers with novel inorganic nanocrystals (NCs), targeting detection of neutrinoless double beta decay for the first time. This extremely rare nuclear process is the subject of a global research given that observance could answer many open questions about the origin of the Universe and unlock exciting new areas of pursuit.
Objective
The goal of UNICORN is to develop unprecedented nanocomposite scintillator (SL) detectors based on engineered nanomaterials for transformative breakthroughs in strategic radiation detection areas spanning homeland security and medicine to industrial, nuclear, and environmental monitoring to cosmology and high energy/particle physics. Today, conventional inorganic SL crystals are prohibitively energy-intensive, fragile, heavy and cannot be produced in large quantities. Organic SLs are, in turn, affordable and scalable, but their low density and light yield reduce energy resolution. These shortcomings preclude progress in application areas of great importance and impose a technological bottleneck to the fundamental study of rare events. The most at risk of all is the study of neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (0νDBD), a so far undetected, rare nuclear process that represents the Holy Grail in particle physics, whose observation would provide long sought-after answers on the origin of the Universe and unlock unexplored scientific territories with unimaginable progress perspectives. UNICORN will tackle this urgent grand challenge by introducing revolutionary nanotechnology-based concepts combining high energy resolution, efficiency, and stability with unmatched mass scalability. The keystone of our disruptive approach are inorganic nanocrystals (NCs) that will be specifically designed to be both the source of 0νDBD and high-performance nano-SLs. The breakthrough will also consist in achieving perfect compatibility with (in)organic hosts to obtain unparalleled ultra-high density optical-grade nanocomposite detectors with maximized light output to be coupled to custom-made light sensors that will embody the archetype of advanced radiation detectors of the future. UNICORN combines world-leading institutions and companies with complementary interdisciplinary competences ensuring the pivotal synergy to reach the project goals and rapidly translate results into economic value.
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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDEROPEN-01
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20126 Milano
Italy
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