For decades scientists have asked where elements like gold, platinum, uranium, and elements that form planets and our bodies come from. The most compelling answer to date has come from the ENGRAVE team, who have shown that these elements originate from cataclysmic collisions between the universe's most extreme stars.
This work has secured ENGRAVE, and the Warwick researchers who are deeply involved in this consortium, the inaugural European 'Into Change Award' - worth nearly £1 million.
Andrew Levan, Honorary Professor at University of Warwick, Professor at Radboud University and one of the named individuals for this award as chair of the Executive Committee for ENGRAVE said: "The work in ENGRAVE has focused on finding the fingerprints of heavy elements in fleeting flashes of light. This is no mean feat, these sources are faint, they emit most of their light redder than the eye can see and to secure the observations you have to act fast."
ENGRAVE has shown how the universe's heaviest elements are forged in rare and powerful involving neutron stars, known as kilonovae. These events act as factories for heavy elements that make up about half of the periodic table, including precious metals, rare earths, and uranium. In revealing this process, the team is shedding light on the very building blocks of both the Earth and humanity.
Danny Steeghs, Professor in the Department of Physics at Warwick and a member of ENGRAVE governing council adds: "ENGRAVE brings together almost 300 researchers from across Europe and beyond, and Warwick have been at the forefront of this effort, both in terms of the people working on the project, but also in providing supporting data, for example via our GOTO telescope array that is specifically designed to find the sources that ENGRAVE studies."
This work has redefined our understanding of where the elements come from and shown that many critical life-giving elements are formed in these extreme star mergers. These core results were recently presented for a general audience in one of Warwick's award-winning Christmas lectures, delivered by Andrew Levan on 26 November.
"These Christmas lectures really provide us an opportunity to explain our research to everyone, excite the public and show just how much amazing research is done at Warwick" said Ally Caldecote, who leads the Christmas lecture program at Warwick.
The 'Into Change Award', presented by Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund, recognises outstanding European research and the values that underpin it: curiosity, collaboration, responsibility, respect, and openness. The prize recognises European research groups delivering exceptional work of societal significance at the highest international level.
Christina Egelund, Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science says: "ENGRAVE shows what can be achieved when researchers across countries and institutions work together to solve the universe's greatest mysteries. Their discovery of the building blocks that form our planet and ourselves is a brilliant example of European research: Curious, open and responsible.
"At the same time, the group has generously invited young talents to join their journey, ensuring the next generation of researchers who can continue to explore the secrets of the universe. ENGRAVE is a role model for the research culture of the future."
