Overview of the ERC Project
The ERC-funded Energion project aims to develop an energy storage system that integrates a biological voltage source with a biological supercapacitor to provide high energy and power capacities in a lightweight sustainable packaging. To assemble the smart microstructure system, it will use proteins, molecules and lipids together with synthetic materials in an array of interconnected vesicles to control ion gradients produced by cotransport proteins within the vesicle membranes. Its energy performance will then be tested by packaging the system to provide power for typical nomadic, implant or ambulatory devices. The system will offer easy assembly and scalability. Compared to existing battery technology, it will be more eco-friendly, reliable, longer lasting and safer.The ERC Advanced Grant is awarded to Prof Donald Martin, who received €2.9 million over 5 years to conduct the project Energion.
You can find more information in https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101142533
Team for the ERC Project
Collaborating scientists
Dr Marco Maccarini (CR, CNRS) - co-director for PhD of Guillaume Rouire
Dr Isabelle Vilgrain (DR, CNRS) - co-directrice for PhD of Gontran Perino
Postdoctoral Scientists
Dr Beatrice Barlettiadditional position(1) available from 2027
additional position(2) available from 2027
PhD candidates
Mr Gontran Perino
Mr Guillaume Rouire
additional position available from 2026
Engineers
Ms Malak Hijazi (IE)
additional position available from 2027
Interns and visiting scientists
Ms Sara Montanarella, M2 in 2025
Ms Roberta Branca, M2 in 2025
Ms Samara Bridge, visiting PhD fellow (UTS, Australia) in 2025
Prof Ratnesh Lal, visiting professor (UCSD, U.S.A.) in 2025
Resources from the ERC Project budget
Some publications
2025
- Glycation enhances protein association with lipid bilayer membranes. Langmuir. 41(46):31169-31178. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c03975
- Martin DK, Vilgrain I (2025). Biomimetic Membrane Technology: biological engineering and nanomedicine. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3-031-90594-0
background
- Efficient fine-tuning of endothelial gene expression by a single tyrosine (Y685) to phenylalanine point mutation in the VE-Cadherin gene. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 45(10):1852-1871. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.125.323129.
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Chemical and temporal manipulation of early steps in protein assembly tunes the structure and intermolecular interactions of protein-based materials. Protein Sci. 34(2):e70000. doi: 10.1002/pro.7000
- Martin DK (2025). Biological engineering as an approach to construct smart nanostructured systems. EuroBiotech J. 9(3):198-206
- Ben Tahar A, Zebda A, Alcaraz JP, Gayet L, Boualam A, Cinquin P, Martin DK (2019). A PANI supported lipid bilayer that contains NhaA transporter proteins provides a basis for a biomimetic biocapacitor. Chemical Communications, 55:13152-13155
- Maccarini M, Watkins EB, Stidder B, Alcaraz JP, Cornell BA, Martin DK (2016). Nanostructural determination of a lipid bilayer tethered to a gold substrate. European Physical Journal E, 39:123
- Stidder B, Alacaraz JP, Liguori L, Khalef N, Bakri A, Watkins EB, Martin DK (2012). Biomimetic membrane system composed of a compostite interpentretrating hydrogel film and a lipid bilayer. Advanced Functional Materials, 22:4259-4267
- Martin DK (ed.). (2012). "Nanbiotechnology of Biomimetic Membranes", MIR, Moscow, ISBN 978-5-91522-230-3
- Battle AR, Valenzuela SM, Mechler A, Nichols RJ, Praporski S, di Maio IL, Girard-Egrot AP, Cornell BA, Prashar J, Caruso F, Martin LL, Martin DK (2009). Novel engineered ion channel provides controllable ion permeability for polyelectrolyte microcapsules coated with a lipid membrane. Advanced Functional Materials, 19:201-208
- Martin DK (ed.) (2007). "Nanobiotechnology of Biomimetic Membranes". Springer, Boston, MA, ISBN 978-0-387-37740-7