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Prof Ioannis Papakonstantinou secures European Research Council Grant to Explore Research
1 May 2024
Prof Ioannis Papakonstantinou has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant to support his frontier research into cooling techniques for the future.
Professor of Photonics and Nanofabrication, Ioannis Papakonstantinou has secured an ERC Advanced Grant to bolster his frontier research into cooling technologies. As the Head of the Photonic Innovations Lab (pi-lab), his group’s core research interests lie in light-matter interactions at the nanoscale and his work is supported by 4 grants from the European Research Council.
In the ongoing pursuit of enhancing public health and well-being, the critical role of cooling technology cannot be overstated. However, this essential function poses a conundrum within the broader context of energy sustainability. Despite efforts to mitigate climate change through increased energy efficiency and decreased greenhouse gas emissions, the demand for energy-intensive cooling processes remains on the rise. This paradox underscores the complexity of our energy strategy as experts attempt to balance environmental stewardship with the imperative of maintaining optimal living conditions.
Prof Papakonstantinou’s ERC AdG grant aims to resolve this conundrum by using passive daytime radiative cooling, a natural thermoregulation process that harnesses the coldness of the Universe, effectively converting it into an infinite heat sink for thermal radiation emitted by objects on Earth's surface.
“I was very pleased to hear that I was awarded such a competitive and prestigious grant. This award represents a big success not only for myself but also for all members in my group that worked tirelessly to create the foundations for this project. Climate change is at our doorstep, and I hope this grant will catalyse more funding in the fight against it."
Current state-of-the-art systems can lower temperatures by no more than 8-10°C. Prof Papakonstantinou’s work will aim to deliver much higher temperature reductions, reaching potentially refrigeration temperatures. Such a technology can find application in several key sectors, including the built and transport environments, data centres, food cold chains, industrial processes, life sciences and other.
Prof Papakonstantinou was one of nine leading UCL researchers to secure an ERC Advanced Grant in 2024, making UCL the institution with the most awardees in the UK.