The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded its Consolidator Grants. Four KU Leuven researchers are among this year's recipients: bioscience engineer Rob Ameloot, theologist Christina Kreinecker, pediatric nephrologist Elena Levtchenko, and astronomer Jon Sundqvist.
ERC Consolidator Grants provide funding for excellent researchers with 7 to 12 years of post-PhD experience. The grants are awarded for a five-year period and may be worth up to € 2 million.
Rob Ameloot: selective sensors for volatile molecules
BOF associate professor at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, head of one of the cMACS labs and founding member of LIMNI
You had already received an ERC Starting Grant and two Proof of Concept Grants. How does it feel to get a Consolidator Grant as well now?
"It is still special to receive such a grant. It gives you security for a longer period of time, allowing you to plan further into the future. That is first and foremost important for the researchers in the group. This grant is also a relief because submitting such a project application should not be underestimated in terms of the time and freshness of mind you need. Due to the recent birth of our little daughter, I won't have as much time available any more."
Do you have any tips for other applicants?
"As a young researcher, don't wait too long and try your luck at various panels. In my opinion, Belgian researchers exercise a little too much self-censorship; many good ideas are not submitted. And don't be disheartened if you don't succeed the first time. For example, I first applied for a Consolidator Grant to another panel, but I immediately had a bad feeling after the interview. This year's reform brought in a new panel that was a perfect fit for this project and the goal we have in mind."
What is the project about?
"This project is so interesting because it focuses both on fundamental insights and their implementation in practical applications. We want to develop new sensors to detect volatile organic compounds. These sensors are made of porous materials that can measure and distinguish between different molecules. Current miniature sensors are, for instance, sensitive but not selective. We strive for an optimal set of materials and their integration with microelectronics. This will enable a new generation of sensors that are small, sensitive and sufficiently selective to detect and distinguish between different molecules. If successful, many applications are possible: measuring air quality, checking food freshness and even diagnosing through a breath test. Many diseases (such as COVID-19) cause a slightly different composition of the patient's breath. Unfortunately, everyone's 'breathing profile' differs, even if they're in good health, so it's not enough to just take a breath test at the doctor's office. You would have to measure frequently to create such a profile, for example by incorporating a sensor into a portable device or smartphone. We hope to take a big step in that direction through this project. Bringing together and integrating materials and microelectronics is also a key objective of the recently founded KU Leuven Institute for Micro- and Nanoscale Integration (LIMNI). Through LIMNI, we want to bring together ideas and challenges with various research groups and provide a gateway to the expertise at KU Leuven for external parties."
