Knowing the crystal structure at unit cell level is crucial for understanding and controlling the physical properties of materials and thus for advancing the various fields of materials science. However, for many materials, the arrangement of the atoms within the unit cell varies over nanoscale domains, especially after reactions or under the influence of external factors. Current techniques, such as three-dimensional electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction and atomic resolution imaging techniques, cannot determine unknown crystal structures for phases that are mixed at nanoscale. Therefore, in REACT, I develop a new method to precisely quantify crystal structures varying at nanoscale, and even unit cell scale, across multiphased particles. The new method will significantly impact materials science by providing, for the first time, the crystal structure of previously unknown phases that occur in functional materials during operation. It will accurately and precisely reveal how their structural parameters - such as chemical bond angles and lengths, and the coordinates and occupancy of atom sites - vary across the particles and change under external influences or reactions. This will give the field of materials science new critical insights into the structural changes accompanying processes like intercalation, degradation and diffusion. To demonstrate its potential, I apply the technique to open questions in materials science: the phases appearing in Li- and Na-ion battery materials during charge-discharge cycling and the changes in the local structure of metal organic frameworks (MOF) during CO2 intercalation. This project will generate a whole new research direction in crystal structure analysis. It will open new doors to understanding material behaviour at the nanoscale, contributing to technological advancements and scientific discoveries across the entire field of materials science.

Industrial scale nitrogen fixation (NF) via the Haber-Bosch process dominates artificial fertilizer production and at present, enables yield enhancements which nourish over 40 % of the world population. Owing to the exceptional stability of molecular nitrogen’s triple bond the Haber-Bosch process is an energy intensive chemical process which accounts for 1-2 % of the world's energy production, consumes 2-3 % of the global natural gas output and emits more than 300 million tonnes of CO2. In light of an increasing population (and fertilizer demand) coupled with an urgency to reduce CO2 emissions, efforts to find alternative technologies for NF that offer the potential of reduced energy usage while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated. Electrically powered plasma processes are considered as a promising alternative for delocalized fertilizer production, based on renewable energy, and more specifically for NO production. To-date, however, plasma designs for NF have not exceeded Haber-Bosch efficiencies. Pulsed powered microwave (MW) generated plasma technology offers some promise in this regard. Pulsing of the discharge power enables strategies which direct energy to primarily heat electrons (’non-thermal’ conditions) providing a far more efficient pathway to molecular bond breakage (and resulting NO production) than thermal effects. Indeed, reports on pulsed powered MW discharges have indicated an opportunity to tune electron energies to maximize molecular vibrational excitation, identified as an optimal route for energy efficiency in NO production. In a novel advance, plasma efficient nitrogen fixation ’PENFIX', proposes to interrogate ’pulsed’ powered atmospheric microwave (MW) plasma for nitric oxide (NO) production using air. Novel reactor designs informed by validated modelling will be of particular focus. Diagnostic and modelling activities will elucidate the fundamental physics while addressing the challenges of future industrial scale deployment.

Understanding nanostructures down to the atomic level is the key to optimise the design of advanced materials with revolutionary novel properties. This requires characterisation methods enabling one to quantify atomic structures with high precision. The strong interaction of accelerated electrons with matter makes that transmission electron microscopy is one of the most powerful techniques for this purpose. However, beam damage, induced by the high energy electrons, strongly hampers a detailed interpretation. To overcome this problem, I will usher electron microscopy in a new era of non-destructive picometer metrology. This is an extremely challenging goal in modern technology because of the increasing complexity of nanostructures and the role of light elements such as lithium or hydrogen. Non-destructive picometer metrology will allow us to answer the question: what is the position, composition and bonding of every single atom in a nanomaterial even for light elements? There has been significant progress with electron microscopy to study beam-hard materials. Yet, major problems exist for radiation-sensitive nanostructures because of the lack of physics-based models, detailed statistical analyses, and optimal design of experiments in a self-consistent computational framework. In this project, novel data-driven methods will be combined with the latest experimental capabilities to locate and identify atoms, to detect light elements, to determine the three-dimensional ordering, and to measure the oxidation state from single low-dose recordings. The required electron dose is envisaged to be four orders of magnitude lower than what is nowadays used. In this manner, beam damage will be drastically reduced or even be ruled out completely. The results of my programme will enable precise characterisation of nanostructures in their native state; a prerequisite for understanding their properties. Clearly this is important for the design of a broad range of nanomaterials.

The intellectual challenge that the Singleton project will tackle is identifying the relationship formation pathways of young adults in industrialized countries. This project departs from the currently couple centred research approach of young adulthood in which developmental pathways always seem to lead to Mount Marriage or Cohabitation Hill. In contrast, we argue that there is a fundamental hidden relationship pathway in young adulthood where individuals might be experiencing difficulties in finding the right partner, maintaining a relationship or where they make a deliberate choice to remain single and for longer periods. This Singleton trajectory is characterized by a sequence of relatively short-lived committed relationships. The central question addressed in the Singleton project is therefore why, how, when and for whom this relationship trajectory manifests itself. Accordingly the project has four interrelated aims. A first aim is the empirical description of the share of Singletons in three birth cohorts. Second, the project will look at the internal dynamics of relationship formation, maintenance and dissolution from a multi-actor perspective to identify differences between young adults. In the third objective, the project will look into how social networks, educational trajectories and career prospects influence the development of relationship trajectories in young adulthood. A final aim will look at the macro level and incorporate the rise of a “single culture” as part of a new explanatory framework for understanding the Singleton trajectory. Methodologically, we apply a Longitudinal Explanatory Mixed Methods model (2 quantitative and 2 qualitative waves) concentrating on 3 cohorts in young adulthood. This project innovates on a theoretical and methodological level by integrating theories from various fields (demography, sociology and developmental psychology), redefining determinants and launching a much needed new research tradition in Single Studies.

At the moment, in the European Union, there is very little support and virtually no training for blind people. But there are very efficient modes of navigating one’s environment that blind people can learn and some of them can learn very easily, including: (1) Cone use, (2) Sensory substitution devices, (3) Echolocation. The problem is that the interpersonal variation in all these three techniques is huge. Some blind subjects pick up these techniques very quickly and use them efficiently, while others struggle even with the most rudimentary steps. The present Proof of Concept application aims to develop techniques for training blind people’s visual cortices that allow for more efficient spatial perception and navigation. Given the well-demonstrated plasticity of the brain, if a brain region is not used regularly, it is reallocated to do something else. More specifically, if blind subjects whose visual cortices are intact do not use these visual cortices, they get reallocated (to, for example auditory or olfactory processing). If they use their visual cortex, it works well, if they don’t, it will eventually stop. Crucially, all three of the techniques that help blind people navigate their environment rely heavily on the functioning of the early visual cortices. The key insight is that blind subjects can navigate their environment better if their visual cortices are in good condition. But how to achieve that? And this is where my own research on the way mental imagery utilizes early visual cortices can be a game changer. In short, we can keep the primary visual cortices of blind subjects in shape if we have them use their visual mental imagery. Active reliance on mental imagery prevents the early visual cortices of blind subjects from being reallocated to other brain functions and thereby allows them to make full use of navigation techniques like sensory substitution, cone use or echolocation.