Living systems exhibit unique autonomous behaviors such as homeostasis, self-regulation or spontaneous oscillations, not existing in conventional materials. Designing artificial systems with life-like functionalities is a long-standing challenge in chemistry and material science. This groundbreaking research field has been developed exclusively at the molecular and supramolecular level, through chemical self-regulation based on interconnected networks of reactions in solution. In this project, I will explore a conceptually new and different approach based on interconnected nanomaterials in open atmosphere; I will design a new family of autonomous systems, called porous Nano-Oscillators, exhibiting a “physical” self-regulation mechanism at the nanoscale. To do so, I will engineer nanoparticles, nanoporous materials and light in a very specific way in order to activate artificial feedback loops; self-oscillatory behavior will be time-programmed by exploiting the sorption dynamics of the nanoporous materials. I will exploit a multidisciplinary approach based on nanochemistry, nanofabrication and optics to fabricate isolated and groups of nano-oscillators and to investigate their dynamic behaviors. By analogy with cells, communication, synchronization and collective response will be investigated by a new methodology able to describe the spatiotemporal evolutions of self-oscillating nano-objects in controlled environments. Themo-optical simulations will support the experimental work by providing thermodynamic and kinetic guidelines. Inspired by examples from nature, I will provide proof-of-concept of time-programmable, autonomous devices, working in open atmosphere with unprecedented functionalities.

Fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) microcavity technology developed in the ERC project EQUEMI enables hand-held gas analyzers based on cavity-enhanced laser spectroscopy with a combination of small size and high performance that does not exist in any commercial instrument today. Furthermore, the FFP principle also enables fiber-coupled arrays of cost-effective, passive remote sensors read out by one central unit using scalable fiber multiplexing technology developed for the telecom market. Both features enable fast, easy and cost-effective emission measurements of GHG and other trace gases in areas where they are not practically feasible today. Finally, the microscopic size of FFP cavities means that extremely small gas samples (below one microliter cavity volume) can be analyzed and high bandwidth can be achieved with low gas throughput. Here we propose to demonstrate the performance of such instruments by building a demonstrator for methane detection, investigate market potential and prepare commercialization with a team of founders that is already in place.

This project uses newly developed geometric structures to understand quantum corrections in string theory from both a worldsheet and spacetime perspective. The major goal is to prove that supergravity solutions with flux can be quantum corrected to give consistent string compactifications. I will also investigate whether these new geometric structures can shed light on strongly coupled heterotic worldsheet models. I will do this by combining my experience with the mathematics that underlies flux compactifications with insights from supergravity and worldsheet methods. This will greatly expand my knowledge in both physics and mathematics and bring me into close working relationships with researchers at the University of Chicago and Sorbonne Universite. The key difference between my approach and existing work is the use of newly developed techniques in differential geometry that provide a unified framework for analysing flux compactifications - in particular, generalisations of G-structures within generalised geometry. The proposed research tackles a fundamental problem: we do not know whether the many supergravity solutions used in phenomenology or AdS/CFT define honest string theory solutions. One output of this project will be a natural language for stringy corrections - this has applications in formal aspects of string theory and phenomenology, including moduli stabilisation, finding new non-Kahler heterotic solutions and the existence of de Sitter vacua. Progress on any one of these would be an valuable contribution to the most important problems in the field, ensuring the ongoing international competitiveness of theoretical physics in the EU. The proposed research is interdisciplinary due to considerable overlap with differential geometry and conformal field theory. The proposal includes plans for transfer of knowledge between the applicant and the host institutions, acquisition of new knowledge areas, professional development and outreach.

Understanding and controlling quantum matter is a key challenge for basic research and for the development of applications. The richness of quantum physics is notoriously difficult to handle for strong interactions, usually leading to massive entanglement between particles, especially when it is associated with a nontrivial topology of the Hamiltonian. The realization of well-controlled experiments probing strongly correlated quantum matter is thus a major objective to explore these perspectives. In this project, I will investigate many-body states of quantum matter in- and out-of-equilibrium. I will study the interplay between topology and interactions in tailored model systems and explore new quantum phases of matter. I will focus on two main objectives: (i) The study of dynamical properties of strongly interacting 1D Bose gases using quantum transport experiments. (ii) The realization of fractional Chern insulator states in topological lattices. These objectives will be achieved thanks to ultracold gases of Rydberg atoms, where the excellent control of quantum gases is extended thanks to the strong interactions between Rydberg particles.

Nitrogen loss fuelled by sinking particulate organic carbon (POC) is a key mechanism that drives biogeochemical cycles in anoxic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). However, little is known about what controls this mechanism because of the challenges involved in observing it. Noceanic aims to improve current knowledge by exploiting – for the first time – time-series of optical proxies of POC and physicochemical data collected by autonomous profiling floats (i.e. “BGC-Argo”). This data acquired at unprecedented temporal and vertical resolution will generate new insights into the biogeochemical linkages between POC fluxes and N losses. Ultimately, Noceanic will contribute to reducing uncertainties in the mechanistic prediction of N losses and deepen understanding of the biogeochemical response of oceans to ongoing OMZs expansion. Noceanic will combine models, field and remote-sensing data. From field data, optical POC relationships will be tuned and then used to convert optical proxies of POC into POC fluxes. Remote-sensing data will be exploited to model surface POC formed by photosynthesis and assess its source of variability. From these elements, POC fluxes in anoxic OMZs (> 100 m) can then be translated into N losses. Finally, temporal changes in N losses will be explained in terms of the main factors driving the formation of POC and its export to anoxic OMZs. These innovative interdisciplinary activities will establish a two-way exchange of knowledge between the Researcher and the host institution, and enhance their European and international network of collaborators. An expected outcome of Noceanic is its impact on the European strategy for global ocean observations by promoting the inclusion of OMZs – a critical shift because OMZs expansion is affecting the oceans’ role in mitigating the Earth’s climate and the size of fish stocks, ultimately inflicting consequences on European society.