Combinatorial Computational Chemistry A new field to tackle environmental problems

Objective

Combinatorial Computational Chemistry is developed as a standard tool to tackle complex problems in chemistry and materials science. The method employs a series of state-of-the-art methods, ranging from empirical molecular mechanics to first principles calculations, as well as of mathematical (graph theoretical and combinatorial) methods. The process is similar as in experimental combinatorial chemistry: First, a large set of candidate structures is generated which is complete in the sense that the best possible structure for a particular purpose must be found among the set. This structure is then identified using computational chemistry. We will apply methodologies at different stages in hierarchical order and successively screen the set of candidate structures. Screening criteria are based on the computer simulations and include geometry, stability and properties of the candidate structures. Detailed characteristics of the final materials will be simulated, including the X-ray diffraction pattern, the electronic structure, and the target properties. We will apply C3 to two important problems of environmental science. (i) We will optimise nanoporous materials to act as molecular sieves to separate water from ethanol, an important task for the production of biofuels. Here, materials are optimised to transport ethanol, but not water (or vice versa). The tuning parameters are the channel size of the material and its polarity. (ii) We will optimise nanoporous materials to transport protons, an important task for the design of energy-efficient fuel cells, by distributing flexible functional groups, acting as hopping sites for the protons, in the framework.

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.

• natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences
• natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry alcohols
• natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
• engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
• natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• 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)

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.

• ERC-SG-PE4 - ERC Starting Grant - Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences

Call for proposal

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

ERC-2010-StG_20091028
See other projects for this call

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.

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

Beneficiaries (1)