Trinity scientists win European Research Council Proof of Concept awards

Posted on: 23 January 2025

These grants are awarded on the basis of excellence and help to bridge the gaps between scientific discoveries and the unexpected real-world commercial and societal applications that such discoveries can lead to.

Prof. Valeria Nicolosi, from Trinity’s School of Chemistry, and the AMBER Research Ireland Centre, will investigate the potential of transforming low-value wood waste into sustainable, high-value, high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding materials.

As our reliance on electronics grows, so does the need to protect sensitive devices from electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can cause malfunctions or even health risks. Traditional materials used for EMI shielding are often made from metals or plastics that aren't always environmentally friendly. The challenge is to find a better, sustainable alternative.

Each year, millions of tons of wood waste are generated, much of which is not recycled. Valeria’s team plans to turn this waste into high-performance inks that can be used in 3D printing to create EMI shielding materials. By combining wood powder with special 2D materials called MXenes, which are known for their excellent electrical conductivity, a strong, flexible, and sustainable solution may arise.

Prof. Nicolosi said: “Securing funding for this project is a significant milestone, not just for advancing the science of electromagnetic interference shielding, but for taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. I'm excited to explore the potential of wood waste and MXenes as innovative, eco-friendly solutions to a growing environmental challenge.

“This research has the power to not only protect sensitive electronics but also contribute to reducing electronic waste and promoting a circular economy.”

Prof. Matthew Campbell, from Trinity’s School of Genetics and Microbiology and a PI at the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre,  will aim to develop a novel (gene) therapy for the common form of blindness known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

During the course of his ongoing ERC project “Retina-Rhythm”, Prof. Campbell and his team have discovered that blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye become leaky in patients with early and intermediate stages of the disease. To address this they are seeking to develop a new treatment aimed at preventing this blood vessel leakiness.

Prof. Campbell said: “I’m delighted to have been awarded this ERC PoC grant. This type of funding will allow me and my team to accelerate the development of a totally new concept and treatment paradigm for AMD. 

“I’m really excited about the potential this project holds and looking forward to getting the work started.”

Prof. Sinéad Ryan, Dean of Research at Trinity, added: “Congratulations to Matt and Valeria on their continued success in securing ERC funding. These exciting projects have such potential to make lasting impact on human health and environmental sustainability and exemplify the real-world benefits of supporting fundamental research.”

These most recent awards bring the total number of ERC Proof of Concept awards secured by Trinity researchers to 23, enabling them to progress their research along the path from new scientific knowledge towards innovative tools and technologies. For more information on our past and present projects, see ERC Awards at Trinity.

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