For decades, scientists have pondered the origins of elements such as gold, platinum, and uranium, which are crucial to the formation of planets and life itself. The ENGRAVE team has provided a groundbreaking answer, revealing that these elements are born from cataclysmic collisions between the universe’s most extreme stars. This remarkable discovery has earned ENGRAVE, along with the Warwick researchers who play a pivotal role in the consortium, the inaugural European ‘Into Change Award,’ valued at nearly £1 million.
Andrew Levan, Honorary Professor at the University of Warwick and Professor at Radboud University, is one of the award’s named recipients. As chair of the Executive Committee for ENGRAVE, he stated, “The work in ENGRAVE has focused on finding the fingerprints of heavy elements in fleeting flashes of light. This is no mean feat, these sources are faint, they emit most of their light redder than the eye can see and to secure the observations you have to act fast.”
Unveiling the Universe’s Elemental Secrets
ENGRAVE’s research has demonstrated how the universe’s heaviest elements are forged in rare and powerful events involving neutron stars, known as kilonovae. These cosmic phenomena act as factories for heavy elements that constitute about half of the periodic table, including precious metals, rare earths, and uranium. By uncovering this process, the team is illuminating the fundamental building blocks of both Earth and humanity.
Danny Steeghs, Professor in the Department of Physics at Warwick and a member of the ENGRAVE governing council, added, “ENGRAVE brings together almost 300 researchers from across Europe and beyond, and Warwick has been at the forefront of this effort, both in terms of the people working on the project, but also in providing supporting data, for example via our GOTO telescope array that is specifically designed to find the sources that ENGRAVE studies.”
Redefining Elemental Origins
This research has fundamentally redefined our understanding of where elements originate, showing that many critical life-giving elements are formed in these extreme star mergers. The core results were recently shared with the public during one of Warwick’s award-winning Christmas lectures, delivered by Andrew Levan on November 26.
Ally Caldecote, who leads the Christmas lecture program at Warwick, commented, “These Christmas lectures really provide us an opportunity to explain our research to everyone, excite the public and show just how much amazing research is done at Warwick.”
Awarding Excellence in European Research
The ‘Into Change Award,’ presented by Christina Egelund, Minister for Higher Education and Science, celebrates outstanding European research and the values it embodies: curiosity, collaboration, responsibility, respect, and openness. The prize acknowledges European research groups delivering exceptional work of societal significance at the highest international level.
Christina Egelund remarked, “ENGRAVE shows what can be achieved when researchers across countries and institutions work together to solve the universe’s greatest mysteries. Their discovery of the building blocks that form our planet and ourselves is a brilliant example of European research: Curious, open and responsible.”
“At the same time, the group has generously invited young talents to join their journey, ensuring the next generation of researchers who can continue to explore the secrets of the universe. ENGRAVE is a role model for the research culture of the future.”
The announcement comes as a significant recognition of collaborative scientific efforts across Europe. As ENGRAVE continues to unravel the mysteries of the universe, the implications of their work promise to inspire future generations and further our understanding of the cosmos.
