Empa researchers have been extremely successful in applying for grants from the «European Research Council» (ERC). ERC Grants promote high-achieving researchers, irrespective of their age and experience. They aim to make it easier for early career researchers to make the transition to independent research. The grant intends to allow more experienced researchers to consolidate their own research programme or team. This aims to prevent highly talented researchers from seeking opportunities for promotion elsewhere early in their careers, which may lead to the damaging loss of research talent in Europe.

Quelle: IBM Rüschlikon

Rolf Erni, Manager of the Electron Microscopy Center at Empa, has, for instance, received an ERC «Consolidator Grant». This will enable him to use in-situ transmission electron microscopy to investigate the creation of the smallest atom agglomerates, which lead to the nucleation of crystallites. The aim of the project is to gain fundamental insights into the extremely early stages of crystallisation, which are as yet unresearched.

(c) 2015 Stürmer Foto

Last year, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, a scientist in the «Safety and Physiology» department, also received an ERC «Starting Grant». As part of his projects, Puigmarti-Luis aims to develop a kind of «toolbox», with tools that are based on micro-fluid technologies. These tools will allow organic or metallic and organic crystal structures to be created in a controlled environment.  This approach may allow crystals to be isolated in the early stage of synthesis: the crystallisation process can be monitored and new materials developed with unique functions for numerous purposes, for example for sensors, catalysis, molecular electronics, bio-medicine or medication dosage.

Erni received a Consolidator Grant of around 2.3 million euros, as he could already demonstrate a promising research record. In order to receive an ERC Starting Grant totalling 1.5 million euros, Josep Puigmarti had to submit an excellent research proposal.