Congratulations to Professor Henrik Koch (SNS/IKJ) for receiving the prestigious ERC Advanced grant from the European Research Council (ERC).

"I am overjoyed that many years of hard work in our research group is finally paying off” says Henrik, who is a professor at the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa in Italy (SNS) and adjunct professor at the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, NTNU. He praises SNS, NTNU and the Research Council of Norway for the support so far, which has been very important for the development of the project.

The ERC grant is one of the most respected research grants in the world and it has been a long time since NTNU has received the ERC Advanced grant, which is given to researchers who excel at all levels.

The ERC Advanced Grant is a very prestigious award given to pioneering research projects by outstanding researchers. I congratulate Henrik Koch on behalf of the entire Faculty of Natural Sciences and look forward to following the results of the research in the years to come, says Dean Øyvind Weiby Gregersen

The project QuantumLight

The award goes to the research project (Coupled cluster theory for polaritons: changing molecular properties with quantum light). The project focuses on theoretical modeling of molecules in quantum cavities. The chemical properties of the molecules can be changed in a quantum cavity.

• In an optical cavity made by a reflecting mirror (see figure below) molecules can interact strongly with the quantum mechanic vacuum, says Koch

Using quantum light, the research group will explore this new area in chemistry. This could be important for the pharmaceutical industry and for research on catalytic processes.

Dream team of theoretical chemists

Henrik says that excellent theoretical chemists from Italy and the USA will collaborate in QuantumLight in the future, where, among other things, the head of NTNU Nano, Professor John de Mello, will develop experiments with plasmons and nanostructures. The project will also be an excellent platform for master's students, PhD candidates and young researchers, where they can explore a new and exciting research arena for polariton and plasmonic chemistry.

Did you know that NV has its own ERC initiative?

The ERC initiative consists of a systematic approach to ERC applications. We have an annual survey to identify candidates, assessment of potential facilitation and quality assurance by connecting the leader, professional environment, support team and starting well in advance. Contact your department or the research and innovation section at NV, for assistance.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences congratulates Henrik for the ERC Advanced Grant. This is one of the most prestigious grants you can receive in Europe, and it is fantastic that one of our talented researchers shows that it is possible to be awarded. We hope that more of our researchers will be inspired by Henrik's success, says vice dean for research Magnus Rønning.