Six grants totalling DKK 19,004,644 to four researchers from IFA
Independent Research Fund Denmark has just awarded DKK 575 million for non-targeted research to 192 excellent new research projects across the main scientific areas. No less than six of these grants have gone to four researchers at IFA.
Deputy Head of Department Hans Fynbo has received DKK 3,166,786. This project focuses on the phenomenon of two-proton emission from atomic nuclei, with a particular emphasis on the region between Mg and Ar. Previous experiments, especially our own investigation of the isotope 31Ar, have established a sequential time-delayed two-proton emission. In contrast, other experiments have demonstrated simultaneous emission of two protons from the ground state of unbound atomic nuclei. We expect to study the transition between these two mechanisms, particularly in light nuclei between Mg and Ar, which may provide new insights into the decay mechanisms. The new FRIB facility in the USA can now, for the first time, produce these short-lived isotopes for this type of study. We have already completed the first experiment on the isotopes 22Al and 26P and now plan to continue with 22,23Si and 27S.
The two new grants totalling DKK6.336.000 will allow Peter Balling and his group to investigate novel aspects of the interaction between light and materials. One project is aimed at studying ultrafast carrier dynamics in dielectric materials with new experimental approaches. The other will explore a newly developed nanocomposite material for investigating how the energy of ionizing radiation is deposited on the nanoscale; this insight will be used for developing new methods for the validation of radiotherapy.
Deputy Head of Department Lars Bojer Madsen has received two grants totalling DKK 6,335,043 and allows Lars Bojer Madsen to intensity his exploration of attosecond physics with, respectively, attosecond electron pulses (grant from the council of Natural Sciences) and attosecond pulses of quantum light for quantum technology (grant from the council of Technology and Production Sciences). With these grants, Lars will research unprecedented length- and timescales in quantum systems for fundamental research and applications.
Sten Brøndsted has received 3,166,815, which will be used to design and engineer new and more efficient enzymes for the breakdown of microplastics, such as polyesters and polycarbonates, with degradation profiles measured using fluorescence-mass spectrometry of dye-labeled polymers. The LUNA instrument in Steen Brøndsted's lab will be modified to focus on optimal light detection and the implementation of diode lasers. The project is a collaboration with researchers from Aalborg University, Peter Fojan and Evamaria Petersen.