To revolutionize the use of coherent X-ray diffraction for structural crystallography applied to catalysis: this is the aim of the REACT project led by Marie-Ingrid Richard, winner of the award for the second time.

Heterogeneous catalysis (electro-, photo-) is at the heart of our modern chemical industry, being involved in 90% of chemical manufacturing processes. The main challenges are measuring reaction kinetics, identifying intermediates and overcoming “pressure” and “material” gaps. “To study the behavior of individual nanocatalysts involved in chemical reactions, I will develop new, faster structural and chemical characterization systems, as well as cutting-edge in situ monitoring techniques to address catalytic issues”, announces the researcher.

The REACT project will transform our understanding of near‑industrial catalysis by overcoming current limitations related to pressure and materials, through the integration of rapid, in situ, non‑invasive 3D imaging of individual catalysts, combined with spectroscopy, to achieve nano‑spectroscopic 3D imaging during catalysis.

This innovative method will operate at high temperature and pressure in complex environments while maintaining atomic resolution and high temporal precision. Using fourth‑generation synchrotron sources, revolutionary charge‑integrating detectors, and her recognised expertise in coherent X‑ray diffraction microscopy, the project will enable 3D study of the chemistry and structure of nanocatalysts under realistic reaction conditions, with unmatched spatial, temporal and energy resolution. It will allow identification of reaction intermediates to better understand critical phenomena in nanocatalysis: activity, selectivity, reusability and durability.

Experimentation is worthless without simulation. The project will use state-of-the-art atomistic capabilities developed by AI to reveal the full dynamics of catalytic mechanisms, setting a new benchmark in the integration of computational and experimental sciences.

“My project will shed new light on the most relevant unresolved issues (durability, activity, etc.) that limit the efficiency of current processes, and open up new horizons with a remarkable impact in catalysis research,” promises the winner.

Meanwhile, Christopher Bäuerle’s project ULTRAWAVE focuses on quantum entanglement using ultra‑short charge‑wave packets. It aims to address a major challenge in quantum nanoelectronics: accessing the intrinsic time scales—typically a few picoseconds—that govern quantum dynamics in nanoelectronic devices. These time scales are currently inaccessible to us. Reaching them would open a new path for studying the dynamic aspects of quantum mechanics.

ULTRAWAVE will tackle this challenge by exploiting advances in terahertz (THz) photon generation and using innovative photon-to-electron conversion devices to produce THz electronic pulses for use in quantum nanoelectronics.

“We will integrate highly efficient on-chip photoconductive switches in a cryogenic environment at ultra-low temperatures, creating the first platform that combines time-resolved THz physics with millikelvin-range temperatures. This breakthrough will allow us to reach unprecedented time scales, opening access to the quantum regime of nanoelectronic conductors,” announces the physicist, who adds:

“We will develop a new quantum material platform for quantum nanoelectronics based on germanium heterostructures, aiming to advance the field to an entirely new level. The remarkable quantum coherence properties recently demonstrated in this material will enable us to design the long-envisioned single-charge detector for propagating wave packets.”

Overall, ULTRAWAVE will establish a groundbreaking approach to performing "in-flight" quantum manipulations at unprecedented time scales, marking a major step forward in the study of quantum entanglement and introducing a new form of quantum information processing based on propagating quantum states.

The ability to access these new temporal regimes will open up a new era of research in quantum nanoelectronics, with profound implications for both fundamental science and emerging quantum technologies.