Prestigious ERC funding for Sumit Ghosh's research on sustainable ultrahigh strength steels and lightweight steel structures to transform energy, automotive, and defence industries
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a highly competitive and prestigious Starting Grant of 1.5 million euros to Sumit Ghosh, Senior Research Fellow, University of Oulu, for his novel scientific approach mimicking complex, heterogeneous structures to develop tougher, greener ultra-strong steels for sustainable future.
The Swift Processing for New Generation Hydrogen Resistance Steels (NewGenH2Steel) project aims to revolutionise the design and production of next-generation steels that combine ultrahigh strength, superior toughness, ductility, and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement.
The project seeks to create lightweight, sustainable steels that can transform industries such as energy, construction, defence, and automotive manufacturing, while enabling a reduced carbon footprint.
The project introduces an innovative approach called “spike heating” based on swift partitioning, designed to generate nanoscale, metastable, multiphase microstructures. Drawing inspiration from the natural toughness of bone, the approach seeks to mimic complex heterogeneous structures, stabilising steel against hydrogen embrittlement while maintaining exceptional strength. Importantly, this novel processing approach also offers low CO₂ emissions and energy efficiency, making it attractive from a sustainability perspective.
The project NewGenH2Steel has been conceptualised in alignment with the EU’s long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This project will focus on fundamental, knowledge-driven cutting-edge innovations, generating new physico-chemical understanding and metallurgical competences for long- and short-term needs. These goals will be achieved by combining interdisciplinary expertise in advanced steels research, fundamental physics, metallurgical processing, and the utilization of side streams. This initiative will expose Europe to large markets of fossil-free steel applications, securing the presence of strategic industries across Europe as key segments of vital value chains.
“This grant is more than financial support—it is a dream come true and a huge source of encouragement,” says
Dr. Sumit Ghosh, Materials and Mechanical Engineering
Research Unit’s senior researcher. “For over four years, I have been pursuing this dream grant. The ERC’s support allows me to build a multidisciplinary team and explore high-risk, high-gain ideas. I see this as an opportunity not just to advance my field, but to contribute to a more sustainable future.”
ERC announced new
Starting Grants on 4 September 2025. The ERC Starting Grant is one of Europe’s most competitive funding schemes, awarded to early-career researchers with the potential to establish themselves as world leaders. ”Receiving the grant underscores both the scientific excellence of Dr. Ghosh proposal and the strength of our research environment”, says Matti Latva-aho, Vice Rector for Research at the University of Oulu. ”With the NewGenH2Steel project, the University of Oulu strengthens its position at the forefront of sustainable materials research.”
Dr. Ghosh extends his gratitude to his colleagues from University of Oulu’s Materials and Mechanical Engineering, Nano and molecular systems, Sustainable Chemistry, Biochemistry, NMR Spectroscopy research units, and ERC reviewers for their constructive feedback over multiple application rounds.