EAAS Projects and Workpackages
Main Principal Investigator: Jácome (Jay) Armas
Workpackages Structure
The research programme has been divided into seven Workpackages (WPs) that directly address the scientific and societal challenges this consortium is focusing on. In the figure below, we highlight the main links between the WPs and how they interconnect the different Impact Pathways (please scroll down!).
Workpackages in EAAS. WPs are interconnected with explicit connections given - per project - in the WP descriptions given in the next section. Here we highlight some of the main inter-WP connections. The colour scheme represents impact pathway #1 (maths), pathway #2 (spacetime & universe), pathway #3 (matter & new materials) and pathway #4 (societal engagement).
The consortium will host 20 young researchers (16 PhDs and 4 postdocs) who will be spread across several universities and knowledge institutes, including UvA, UU, UL, RU, VU, RUG, TUe, TU Delft, AMOLF, Nikhef and CBS. WP7 focuses on societal engagement activities and runs in parallel with WPs 1-6. WP7 includes a part-time project manager /artistic curator, as well as services provided by societal partners, including The S&C Foundation, Stichting Paradiso, Stichting InScience, New Scientist NL and IMC Weekendschool. WP7 includes many activities such as large scale Emergence Festivals, Science and Cocktails events, a science/art fellowship program, a pilot PAL programme for PhD students and guest lectures at weekend schools. See below for descriptions of each project.
WP1: Quantum Spacetime and Emergent Geometric Structure
WP leader: Annegret Burtscher (RU/mathematics)
Emergent phenomena in physics typically deal with the collective behaviour of microscopic matter constituents living and interacting on a fixed “background” spacetime. We will go one step further and ask how spacetime itself could have emerged from a fundamental, microscopic quantum state at the beginning of our universe. Our research will address a key open challenge in quantum gravity, namely, to provide a dynamical explanation for the origin of spacetime and gravity. The gravitational nature of the interactions raises the intriguing possibility that the universal features of geometric emergence we will find are very different from those governing matter systems. We will model coarse-graining mechanisms (i.e. hydrodynamic or continuum limits) that extrapolate between microscopic, random-geometric building blocks and macroscopic Lorentzian or Riemannian spaces (related by Wick rotation) and study their effect on geometric and curvature observables. Of particular interest for early-universe cosmology are emergent de Sitter-spaces and their global symmetries. An overarching objective is to quantify fluctuations that emerge alongside the classical background and can serve as primordial seeds of cosmic structure formation or drive inflation. Key challenges: To identify a minimal set of microscopic ingredients, dynamical laws and symmetry principles essential for the emergence of macroscopic spacetime and geometric structure. To understand whether and how different approaches are equivalent. Approach: We will exploit the remarkable recent confluence of ideas in physics and mathematics on generalizing geometric structures beyond smooth, “classical” spaces. To investigate space(time) emergence, we will combine tools we have had key roles in developing, from random graphs and discrete geometry to information-theoretic and holographic concepts. Integration between disciplines: This work package is strongly interdisciplinary, down to individual projects, involving new collaborations between researchers from high-energy physics and mathematics.
Project WP1.1 Origin and Emergence of Spacetime Symmetries
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Renate Loll (RU/physics), Annegret Burtscher (RU/mathematics)
Hosting institution: RU
Collaborator: Renee Hoekzema (VU/mathematics)
Project description: Spacetime symmetries like Lorentz-/de Sitter-invariance or cosmological isometries are usually taken for granted in fundamental physical theories describing the very early universe. However, none of these symmetries is a priori meaningful or operationally defined in a microscopic, Planckian regime, where quantum spacetime cannot be presumed smooth and tensor calculus may not be available. We will construct microscopic symmetry precursors, using observables based on discrete causal structures and generalized notions of curvature, and investigate if and how (approximate) symmetries can emerge under coarsegraining. To check for possible topological obstructions on the scale where the symmetry is realized, we will employ a directional variant of persistent homology that considers the Lorentzian nature of spacetime. Using classical cosmological measures of homogeneity and isotropy as a reference point, we will develop corresponding quantum measures for the emergent de Sitter universe, to quantify the degree of symmetry present on micro- and macro-scales.
Project WP1.2 Holographic Microscopic Description of de Sitter-space
Type of position: 2-year postdoc
Leads: Diego Hofman (UvA/physics), Ben Freivogel (UvA/physics), Andrea Puhm (UvA/physics)
Hosting institution: UvA
Collaborators: Erik Verlinde (UvA/physics), Walter van Suijlekom (RU/mathematics), Klaas Landsman (RU/mathematics), Umut Gürsoy (UU/physics)
Project description: The concept of holography gives a successful microscopic description of negatively curved spacetimes. Our aim is to generalize these methods to a de Sitter universe. We plan to provide a microscopic explanation of the thermodynamic properties of cosmological horizons and establish a dictionary that relates correlation functions of the microscopic theory to gravitational observables in the emergent spacetime using quantum information theoretic and field theory techniques. We also plan to exploit the new perspective on de Sitter space coming from the application of the mathematical framework of operator algebras, which leads to a precise definition of the relevant notions of entropy. An important feature is the occurrence of quantum chaos, a phenomenon characterized by the exponential growth of small perturbations (the "butterfly effect"). In the cosmological context this exponential growth directly corresponds to the cosmological expansion and could provide a microscopic explanation of the process of cosmic inflation.
Project WP1.3 Emergence of Geometric Flow
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Lead: Frank Redig (TU Delft/mathematics)
Hosting institution: TU Delft
Collaborators: Klaas Landsman (RU/mathematics), Jo Ellis-Monaghan (UvA/mathematics), Renate Loll (RU/physics)
Project description: Hydrodynamic limits is the area where the emergence of macroscopic partial differential equations is derived from microscopic stochastic dynamics, enabling quantification of the quality of the approximation as well as yielding understanding of the random fluctuations around these emergent equations. This project aims to derive hydrodynamic limits for geometric objects such as a time-dependent Riemannian metric tensor, curvature and connections. The motivation is to understand the emergence of Riemannian geometry from an underlying discrete random geometry, and the associated random fluctuations. A target is to derive Ricci flow and study fluctuations and large deviations from it. This will lead to a deeper understanding of the Perelman entropy as a large deviation entropy. Ricci flow is closely related to the Einstein equations. Other applications of emergent geometry include the fluctuating dynamics of membranes, and plasticity in material science which relates to emergent torsion.
WP leader: Wilke van der Schee (UU/physics)
WP2: Emergence of hydrodynamics: from extreme matter to the early universe and society
Large-scale collective behaviour is one of the most striking features underlying the phenomenon of emergence. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that hydrodynamics is not just a theory of fluids, but a powerful framework for describing the collective behaviour of complex systems, complex materials and (exotic) phases of matter. Surprisingly, the theory of hydrodynamics applies in many contexts and across all length-scales: whether the individual constituents are particles, quasi-particles, bacteria, cells, humans or cosmological matter. The aim of this WP is not only to better understand the foundations and potential limitations of this universal language for emergent behaviour, but also to use hydrodynamics for a variety of applications across scales, including for a better understanding of phases of extreme matter (i.e. the quarkgluon plasma (QGP) formed in the early stages of the universe and in exotic astronomical objects such as neutron stars), all the way to a better understanding of the emergent collective patterns of social segregation in Dutch society. Key challenges: Microscopically the laws of physics are reversible, but the emergence of hydrodynamics brings with it the emergence of irreversibility. Under what conditions does irreversibility emerge? What are the possible phase transitions of the QGP in the early universe? What is the role of spin degrees of freedom in the QGP and neutron stars? Can hydrodynamics be used to forecast social segregation in Dutch cities and to study potential interventions? Approach: This WP contains 2 PhD projects and 2 three-year postdoctoral projects and combines various methodologies including complexity theory, hydrodynamics, holography, experimental setups, network theory and data science. Integration between disciplines: WP2 combines methods from mathematics, theoretical and experimental physics, as well as data and social science, simultaneously addressing questions about our universe and society.
Project WP2.1 Emergence of irreversibility and the arrow of time
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Mark Peletier (TU/e / mathematics), Klaas Landsman (RU/mathematics)
Hosting institution: TU/e
Collaborator: Erik Verlinde (UvA/physics)
Project description: Boltzmann explained the emergence of irreversibility and the second law of thermodynamics – the arrow of time - by invoking the famous ‘Stosszahlansatz’. However, full understanding of this remains elusive and rigorous characterizations in this direction are still limited to short-time results in the spirit of Lanford’s classical result. Understanding large deviations around the Boltzmann equation is an important recent breakthrough, allowing the association of an entropic cost to atypical trajectories. Hiura and Sasa used Martin-Löf’s version of algorithmic (Kolmogorov) randomness to provide insight into the emergence of irreversibility in the simple Kac ring model. Here, we will combine these ideas with large-deviation theory to characterize the emergence of irreversibility and entropy in a much wider class of systems including those with internal spin relevant for the QGP, with the long-term aim of getting more mathematical grip on the physical notions of randomness. This should allow us to make and understand appropriate randomness assumptions in the derivation of emergent macroscopic equations from microscopic ones.
Project WP2.2 Emergence of the quark gluon plasma in heavy-ion collisions and early universe
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Wilke van der Schee (UU/physics), Raimond Snellings (NIKHEF/physics)
Hosting institution: UU/NIKHEF
Collaborator: Marco van Leeuwen (NIKHEF/physics)
Project description: The quark gluon plasma (QGP) can be experimentally studied by means of heavy-ion collisions. This project aims at understanding the far-from equilibrium stage reached during the collision of lead nuclei measured using the ALICE detector at CERN from both an experimental and AdS/CFT (holography) point of view. This project is embedded at the 50% level within ALICE, greatly leveraging the possibility to see this stage of QGP emergence directly from in experiment. The theoretical half of the project involves sophisticated modelling to link the far-from-equilibrium phase with a hydrodynamic phase and connect this to the experimental data. One of the goals is to probe signatures of spinning degrees of freedom in the QGP. Additionally, better understanding of the cooling and phase transitions involved in the collision process can deliver new insights relevant to possible phase transitions in the early universe.
Project WP2.3 Hydrodynamics of spin for extreme matter
Type of position: 3-year postdoc
Leads: Jay Armas (UvA/physics)
Hosting institution: UvA/UU
Collaborators: Elisa Chisari (UU/physics), Wilke van der Schee (UU/physics), Jan de Boer (UvA/physics)
Project description: WP2.3 aims at developing hydrodynamic theories including spin-degrees of freedom (SDoF) using the framework of approximate symmetries. SDoF have recently been shown to be highly relevant for certain phases of the quark gluon plasma (QGP), but also for exotic astronomical objects such as neutron star cores. Exploiting recent developments in approximate symmetries, a hydrodynamic framework will be developed where spinning degrees of freedom are part of the low energy spectrum, enabling extraction of the resulting experimental signatures and the study of potential phase transitions between low energy and high energy spinning states. Subsequently, combination of SDoF with magnetic fields and superfluidity will thereby extend the framework to encompass different phases of the QGP and neutron stars. The expected outcome is a robust framework in which to study applications of spin hydrodynamics in extreme matter which - as a welcome by-product - can also be relevant for spintronics using quantum materials.
Project WP2.4 Sociohydrodynamical description of social segregation in the Netherlands
Type of position: 3-year postdoc
Leads: Frank Pijpers (CBS/UvA/mathematics), Jay Armas (UvA/physics), Chris Bick (VU/mathematics)
Hosting institution: CBS
Collaborators: Marjolijn Das (CBS/EUR/urban statistics), Jan van der Laan (CBS/data science), Edwin Jonge (CBS/data science)
Project description: Society is shaped by the interaction and mobility of humans whose diversity can open up opportunities, but also lead to challenges such as segregation and polarization. These societal phenomena are collective and emergent in complex systems of interacting humans, in direct analogy to the world of interacting particles in physics. Consequently, here we leverage insights from applied mathematics and physics to address the challenges of describing emergent social dynamics in The Netherlands. Three interconnected aspects will be addressed. Firstly, we will extract fundamental mathematical insights into the dynamics of interacting agents subject to interaction rules motivated by social dynamics in the limit of many individuals. Since this explicitly connects network structure with the limiting hydrodynamical equations, how the new approach of “sociohydrodynamics” links to more classical measures of human mobility can be critically assessed. Secondly, the large-scale dynamics of social mobility focusing on Dutch cities and impact of income inequality will be modelled, enabling our new fundamental insights from sociohydrodynamics to undergo empirical testing using data from CBS (Statistics Netherlands). In the final step, the model will then be constrained using CBS data, enabling verification of mobility patterns within Dutch cities. This will result in a model able to forecast the future of social mobility in Dutch cities, yielding a platform for examining the efficacy of potential interventions aimed at decreasing segregation.
WP3: Quantum Matter
WP leader: Francesca Arici (UL/mathematics)
The predictability of materials properties in crystalline semiconductors and metals underpins present information and green-energy-technologies. In quantum matter crystals, the emergent behaviour of electrons carries fingerprints of the microscopic lattice structure, symmetries and low dimensionality, together with strong electron-electron and spin-orbit interactions, resulting in novel emergent phenomena. These new functionalities are of potential relevance for new, energy-efficient computing and information processing schemes, but also exemplify quantum material's deep-rooted unpredictability, a challenge typified by Philip Anderson's "More is Different". Key challenges: To paraphrase one of the route's cluster-questions - how does quantum matter work and what spectacular new phenomena and applications do quantum materials make possible? The web of interactions electrons undergo with each other and their environment yields a rich collection of behaviours. This WP will generate a framework of understanding this emergent behaviour across the myriad material realizations, with a focus on topological phases and strange metals. Approach: Well-controlled experiments will expose the inner workings of quantum materials displaying emergent behaviour. Experiments span from the table-top-scale in the lab, to the extreme conditions possible at largescale facilities such as HFML-FELIX in Nijmegen, synchrotrons and ultrafast laser facilities. Crucially, we can tune the degree to which emergence dominates their properties, with symmetry breaking or enhancement, topological phases, quantum entanglement, unconventional superconductivity and hydrodynamic electron flow as the observable results. Experimental data feeds theory spanning from Hamiltonian simulations to novel approaches based on holographic dualities between the quantum behaviour of electrons in crystals and gravitation near black holes. Bulk-boundary relationships are also a major focus of the mathematical description of topological phases involving bivariant K-theories. Integration between disciplines: WP3 brings together mathematics, theoretical and experimental physics. Links to emergence on completely different scales are found with WP1 (holography), WP2 (QGP & hydrodynamics), WP4 (collective behaviour) and WP5 (emergent gravity).
Project WP3.1 New K-theoretic invariants in quantum theory
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Francesca Arici (UL/mathematics), Irene Aguilera (UvA/physics)
Hosting institution: Universiteit Leiden
Collaborators: Bram Mesland (UL/mathematics), Renee Hoekzema (VU/mathematics), Magnus Botnan (VU/mathematics), Anna Isaeva (UvA/physics)
Project description: Recent years have witnessed an expansion in the theoretical understanding of quantum materials with nontrivial topology through algebraic and noncommutative topology. Starting from Kitaev's classification via Ktheory, as well as the more recent interpretation of the bulk boundary correspondence in terms of bivariant K-theory, mathematics has proven its potential for the prediction of new quantum phases and the construction of new (meta)materials. This project aims to develop mathematical tools that will further elucidate the intricate aspects of topology in quantum matter, starting from data obtained experimentally from diffraction techniques (Isaeva) and from simulations of tight-binding Hamiltonians (Aguilera). The development of maths tools will involve the synergistic merger of techniques from algebraic topology and topological data analysis (Botnan, Hoekzema) with analytic and geometric methods from spectral theory and (bivariant) K-theory for operator algebras (Arici, Mesland).
Project WP3.2 Emergent phases in quantum matter: experiment
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Mark Golden (UvA), Antonija Grubišić Čabo (RUG)
Hosting institution: UvA
Collaborators: Nigel Hussey (RU-HFML-FELIX/physics & University of Bristol), Alexander Kordyuk (Kyiv Academic University/physics), Henk Stoof (UU/physics), Koenraad Schalm (UL/physics)
Project description: Originating in the copper-oxide high temperature superconductors, strange metals indicate that deeply revered concepts such as quasiparticles and Fermi surfaces which underpin our understanding of electron transport in solids do not need to apply. Remarkably recalcitrant as the strange metals are towards conventional theories, they are eminently susceptible to the emergent gravity description embodied in approaches based on holographic dualities. This experimental project will involve high-resolution photoemission (Golden) and time-resolved photoemission (Grubišić Čabo) experiments, which will be combined with low-T and high-field transport experiments (Hussey) carried out on the very same strange metal crystals. This generates highly reliable datasets covering both single-particle and collective response functions as input for the WP3.3 theory project. The Kyiv team (Kordyuk) provides access to new photoemission measurement protocols and machine learning for data analysis.
Project WP3.3 Emergent phases in quantum matter: theory
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Koenraad Schalm (UL/physics), Henk Stoof (UU/physics)
Hosting institution: UL
Collaborators (affil): Nigel Hussey (RU-HFML-FELIX/physics & University of Bristol), Mark Golden (UvA), Antonija Grubišić Čabo (RUG)
Project description: Strange metals are a theory touchstone because at the heart of their novel, emergent behaviour - miraculously tractable in the mathematical language of black holes - lies quantum entanglement. WP3.3's key objective is to verify that strong quantum emergence of black hole-like physics is what is seen in real quantum materials. Interacting closely with WP2.3 and keeping abreast of developments in WP's 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2, this project will deduce theoretically determinative questions that our colleagues in WP3.2 will probe experimentally. Moreover, modelling of real-life strange metals also demands sophisticated, detailed and realistic theoretical models. These have been developed in recent years by the PIs Schalm & Stoof and collaborators. The dual and complementary expertise in both black-hole and condensed-matter physics Schalm & Stoof bring to WP3.3, and their track record of fruitful collaboration with the WP3.2 experimental team sets the scene for success in this difficult challenge.
WP leaders: Chris Bick (VU/mathematics), Bob Rink (VU/mathematics)
WP4: Collective behaviour in networks and life-like matter
This WP examines mathematical and physical aspects of emergent behaviour in networks and soft matter. Striking examples are the emergence of life-like properties in materials, and the ability of materials to move autonomously and process information. However, we lack an overarching theoretical and physical framework to analyze such novel collective phenomena, or to manufacture such materials. We aim to uncover the underlying principles that lead to properties such as synchronization, autonomy, and intelligence. Scientifically, such universal principles may hold the key to many other emergent phenomena from the quantum to the cosmological scale; societally, harnessing such principles can lead to intelligent materials with applications in robotics, smart sensors, and efficient computation. Key challenges: On the one hand, we will develop an overarching mathematical framework to describe and predict the emergence of collective phenomena, in small, intermediate and large-scale networks. On the other hand, we will develop animated materials whose properties are determined by collective network dynamics: by changing shape they translate an external energy source into autonomous motion. We will also investigate how simple soft matter components may interact to yield trainable or self-learning materials. Approach: The scientific research will be carried out in 4 PhD projects, connecting fundamental mathematics (dynamical systems and network theory) and (soft matter) physics. We will exploit a combination of theoretical analysis, mathematical modelling, numerical calculations and experimentation. Integration between disciplines: This WP is a close collaboration between leading scientists in active matter and shape-changing materials, and the mathematics of dynamical systems and network theory, thus producing a strong cross fertilization between fundamental theory and real-world insights. Our selection of project leads and collaborators will facilitate a free flow of ideas between the distinct research communities.
Project WP4.1 Collective dynamics in active oscillator networks
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Bob Rink (VU/mathematics), Chris Bick (VU/mathematics)
Hosting institution: VU
Collaborators: Corentin Coulais (UvA/physics), Marjolein Dijkstra (UU/physics), Krystal Guo (UvA/mathematics)
Project description: Collective dynamics emerging from the interaction between active oscillators is what determines the many surprising properties of active materials. Better understanding this dynamics is thus crucial for developing active or intelligent materials with novel properties. One especially wants to control the emergence of synchronous motion in (hyper-)networks of active oscillator. This project will develop fundamental insights and new mathematical methodology to understand and predict transitions to collective motion in active oscillator networks. This includes designing new mathematical dimension reduction methods tailored to active networks, which can capture transitions from disordered to collective dynamics, to predict and compute nonlinear phenomena such as hysteresis and multistability, and which will outline principles to design materials with new functional properties. A focus will lie on constructing effective interaction networks (between pairs and groups of elements) beyond the physical interactions of the units, and on understanding how their combinatorial properties shape the emergent dynamics.
Project WP4.2 Animate matter
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Martin van Hecke (AMOLF/UL/physics), Daniela Kraft (UL/physics)
Hosting institution: AMOLF/UL
Collaborators: Marjolein Dijkstra (UU/physics), Bob Rink (VU/mathematics), Chris Bick (VU/mathematics), Corentin Coulais (UvA/physics)
Project description: We aim to unravel the principles underlying the emergence of life by creating a new class of materials that we call animate materials, focusing on realizing shape-morphing, motion, and intelligent behaviour. In this experimental project, we build on our recent advances in active fluids, mechanical metamaterials, and flexible colloidal links. Integrating these, we focus on non-reciprocal, cyclical shape changes, which we will realize in active networks of hysteretically shape-changing elements, so called hysterons. In the first half of the project, we focus on their design at the macro (metamaterial) scale and aim to establish the general design principles of non-reciprocal cycles. In the second half of the project, we aim to translate these principles to the colloidal (mm) scale. Leveraging multi-stability, hysteresis, and non-linearity, we will create materials that perceive, adapt, respond, and perform movements, with applications in e.g. smart prosthetics or soft robots.
Project WP4.3 Intelligent matter
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Lead: Marjolein Dijkstra (UU/physics)
Hosting institution: UU
Collaborators: Peter Bolhuis (UvA/chemistry), Rene van Roij (UU/physics), Martin van Hecke (AMOLF/UL/physics), Corentin Coulais (UvA/physics), Senja Barthel (VU/mathematics)
Project description: We aim to understand the principles underlying the emergence of intelligent behaviour within materials composed of simple building blocks, like water, ions, molecular receptors, lipids, and colloids, using theory and simulations. These systems exhibit intelligent behaviour through collective interactions. From understanding the mechanisms for “learning”, leveraging topological defects in liquid crystals for information processing, to the hydrodynamic description of water and ion transport through neuromorphic networks, we aim to design materials with learning capabilities. Our approach involves exploring multistability, hysteresis, and non-linearity in soft materials for memory, learning, and computation. By systematically designing simplified models and conditions, we aim to understand and control emergent dynamic properties, and to gain insight into the emergence of cognitive functions and intelligent behaviour across various systems. This will enable us to create learning behaviour in cutting-edge materials. This pursuit may lead to smarter materials capable of storing and processing information, and even performing computations.
Project WP4.4 Phase transitions in active matter
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Jo Ellis-Monaghan (UvA/mathematics), Silke Henkes (UL/physics)
Hosting institution: UvA
Collaborators: Senja Barthel (VU/mathematics), Antoine Deblais (UvA/physics), Han Peters (UvA/mathematics), Guus Regts (UvA/mathematics)
Project description: Nearest-neighbor models capture universal principles of emergent behavior based on interactions between individual units, e.g. in biological materials and mechanics and systems. While many nearest-neighbor models are heavily studied via simulations, rigorous mathematical theory for emergent behavior (phase transitions) often assumes pairwise interactions, no external influences, and unvarying interaction parameters. In this setting however, powerful mathematical techniques apply such as formulating the model as a polynomial and locating its zeros. This informs the emergence of large system (infinite volume limit) macroscale behaviors and the computational complexity of the model. We aim to extend these powerful tools to broader application by incorporating multi-body interactions (hypergraphs), higher-order external fields (cell volume/area and preferred direction in cell motility), and time-dependent parameters (dynamic motion), thus adapting classical methods to active matter models such as the cellular Potts model. The new theory will lead to a deeper understanding of emergent behavior, particularly in active matter.
WP4S: Citizen Science: 'Emergence Game' Platform
Leads: Martin van Hecke (UL/AMOLF/physics), Marjolein Dijkstra (UU/physics)
Collaborators: External game developers and PhDs from WP4.2 and WP4.3
Budget (citizen science part): 150k€ for game development and advertisement
While the forward problem of simulating the behaviour of multiple interacting entities and establishing their collective behaviour is computationally straightforward when their properties and interactions are specified, the inverse problem—designing properties and interactions such that specific behaviour emerges—is often extremely challenging. Insight into this design problem, or even discovering rare examples of specific behaviour, can provide profound insights into the nature of emergent properties. Examples include designing metamaterials for targeted deformations, engineering colloidal interactions to form specific self-assembled clusters, defining propagation and interaction rules for active, life-like materials, and designing bistable elements and their interactions to realize specific pathways and computations. These problems, often combinatorial in nature, lend themselves well to gamification. Players select initial conditions, particles, and interactions to achieve rare behaviours. Surprisingly, human intuition and trial-anderror often outperform advanced computer algorithms, as seen in the recent discovery of aperiodic tilings by David Smith, a non-professional mathematician—citizen science at best. We propose to develop a mobile gaming platform based on these challenging combinatorial/emergence problems, driven by several clearly set objectives. Problems and goals will be collected from the PIs involved in the program. By fostering competition among users, we anticipate that novel solutions to difficult problems will emerge, which in turn can stimulate further research. Specifically, we anticipate concrete examples related to emergent properties of life-like colloidal and active metamaterials. The platform will be developed by external game designers and programmers in collaboration with the PhDs from WP4.2 and WP4.3. We will be opening a call for identifying the ideal game developers for this project.
Project WP4S.1 Gaming platform Animate Matter
Project description: We aim to develop a mobile gaming platform accessible online via web browsers for easy distribution. Users will design animated matter by constructing flexible ‘animals’ using discrete building blocks that can be connected by the user. Initially, all connections have equal stiffness, but advanced levels introduce variable stiffness. Users control the initial placement of building blocks and their connections with a click-and-drag interface. Activation involves assigning active forces to building blocks, either randomly or with user-defined magnitude/direction. Advanced games feature oscillatory driving. The goal is to use geometry and activity to make the assemblies perform specific tasks, and the scoring will be based on how well a task is performed, with user and global best solutions shared. Tasks include maximizing speed, navigating obstacles, and crawling through pipes. Human intuition offers valuable solutions to the complex design problem. These insights can be leveraged to refine designs further.
Project WP4S.2 Gaming platform Intelligent Matter
Project description: The emergence of intelligence in a material is intimately connected to training a complex network. Think of our brain! We aim to create a gaming platform where users develop local learning protocols to train neural networks for specific input-output relations. We draw parallels with optimizing traffic flow networks to enhance understanding of training neural networks. The app provides an intuitive interface for manipulating network architecture via click-and-drag actions. Users experiment with node and connection configurations, shaping the neural network architecture to achieve desired outputs. They actively refine local learning rules by tuning node interactions and adjusting feedback mechanisms. The gamified element challenges users to improve designs and update protocols for specific objectives, with a scoring system assessing their performance. Collaboration is fostered by storing individual and global best solutions, serving as both inspiration and a scientific resource. Researchers and students leverage shared solutions, combining them with algorithmic approaches to enhance understanding.
WP5: Gravity and dark structure
WP leader: Elisa Chisari (UU/physics)
When we perceive a chair, we do not usually think of the atoms that the chair is made of. Likewise, our theoretical descriptions of the Universe are tailored to the macro scales on which we observe it. The central question we address is whether the geometry, gravitational force and dark structure in our Universe are emergent from an underlying microscopic description. Dark matter and dark energy are an integral part of the standard cosmological model and are necessary to account for the cosmic expansion rate, fluctuations in the microwave background and structure formation. Our goal is to investigate whether an emergent perspective on spacetime geometry and gravity can also explain these observed phenomena. In our three projects we will focus on the theoretical and mathematical principles behind the emergence of geometry and gravity (specifically their entropic origin) and study the philosophical implications and observational consequences. Key challenges: To identify the mathematical and theoretical principles underlying the emergence of geometry, gravity, and dark structure in our Universe, and to investigate the philosophical implications and observational signatures. Approach: WP5.1, WP5.2 and WP5.3 will be carried out by three PhD students. WP5.1 involves a combination of theoretical and philosophical methods and involves concepts of holography and entropy. In WP5.2 the theoretical methods are directed towards making a link with astronomical and cosmological observations. WP5.3 exploits mathematical methods towards answering the central question on the role of entropy in the emergence of geometry. Integration between disciplines: In this work package we integrate the disciplines of mathematics, physics, astronomy and philosophy.
Project WP5.1 Emergent gravity and the dark universe
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Erik Verlinde (UvA/physics), Sebastian de Haro (UvA/philosophy/physics)
Hosting institution: UvA
Collaborators: Niels Martens (UU/philosophy), Edwin Valentijn (RUG/astronomy), Jeroen van Dongen (UvA/philosophy).
Project description: This project will investigate the theoretical and philosophical aspects of the emergence of the gravitational force and its implications for our understanding of the nature of dark energy and dark matter. The theory part is aimed at developing a precise understanding of the emergence of the gravitational force in a universe with a positive cosmological constant by generalizing the concept of holography, and to study its implications for phenomena associated with dark energy and dark matter. The second part concerns the role of emergence in reshaping the current cosmological paradigm from a philosophy of science perspective. When the fundamental nature of spacetime and the gravitational force are being questioned and put in the new perspective of emergence, what does this say about the apparent success of the Lambda-CDM paradigm? How have emergent laws in cosmology been identified, and what is their explanatory role in model building in cosmology?
Project WP5.2 Emergent dark universe observed
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Tom Prokopec (UU/physics), Elisa Chisari (UU/physics)
Hosting institution: UU
Collaborators: Daan Meerburg (RUG/physics), Edwin Valentijn (RUG/astronomy), Erik Verlinde (UvA/physics)
Project description: Notions such as the cosmological constant, which dominates the energy budget of the universe, and causes it to accelerate, may have its origin in the amplified quantum fluctuations in the nascent universe. In particular, this applies to inflationary models. Similarly, dark matter has a quantum origin, therefore backreacts into its expansion producing density fluctuations which seed large-scale structure. Observations indicate a link between the Hubble parameter and the typical acceleration scale in galaxies and clusters at which dark matter effects become visible. The upcoming astronomical observations will have the power to probe specific statistical signals that are smoking guns for these quantum processes. To this end, we will construct observable correlators targeted to probe this quantum description with Euclid and LSST. Can this emergent quantum perspective possibly resolve the tension between the observed values of the cosmological parameters at low and high redshift (known as the Hubble and Sigma-8 tensions)?
Project WP5.3 Entropy and geometry
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Lead: W. van Suijlekom (RU/mathematics)
Hosting institution: RU Nijmegen
Collaborators: Peter Hochs (RU/mathematics), Mark Visser (RU/mathematics), Marcello Seri (RUG/mathematics)
Project description: In the spectral approach to geometry a geometric space originates from a set of frequencies. This is best illustrated by quoting Mark Kac: ‘to hear the shape of a drum’, but, of course, this approach also lies close to the actual detection of the shape of spacetime by observing frequency spectra. The goal of this project is to identify new spectral invariants of geometric spaces, ranging from a notable recent example given by the information theoretic entropy of a geometric space, as well as using spectra of Laplacians to understand the geometric origin of fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background. For the first, the challenge is to find the right interpretation of this notion of entropy and understand the geometrical consequences of the resulting entropic force. For the second, fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background can be used to study the compatibility of Bianchi universes with the current measurements.
WP leader: Daan Meerburg (RUG/physics)
WP6: Cosmic structures
To understand spacetime emergence we need not only concrete computational tools to relate physics at the Planck scale to that of the much larger early universe, but also concrete quantities ("observables") that can be meaningfully computed and compared with observations over this vast span of length scales. Both aspects are technically and conceptually challenging. Our research will focus on invariant correlators of geometry as preferred observables, i.e. on correlation functions of the gravitational field or its quantum precursor, and correlators of matter fields that reflect the behaviour of the underlying geometry at a given scale. We will investigate the largely unknown scaling properties of correlators in a deep quantum regime, exploiting recent progress on the computational side, and how they can be related to the correlators that appear in the very different setting of quantum excitations on a fixed cosmological background, which are ultimately linked to the seeds of structure in our Universe. Key challenges: To uncover universal scaling properties of both spacetime and spatial correlators across scales, and to understand how their emergent behaviour on macroscopic scales may affect physical properties of our universe. To identify observable signatures of emergence on the largest cosmological scales. To constrain signatures of emergence using state-of-the-art cosmological simulations and data. Approach: WP6.1 and WP6.3 will be carried out by two PhD students, while WP6.2 will be carried out by a 2-year postdoc. All projects will benefit from recent theoretical and computational developments. WP6.3 in particular aims to explore the potential of topology and homology in combination with advanced machine learning methods. Participating scientists will meet regularly to exchange knowledge and ideas. Integration between disciplines: The work package combines the disciplines physics, astronomy, and data science.
Project WP6.1 Cosmic correlators from quantum gravity
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Frank Saueressig (RU/physics), Marieke Postma (Nikhef/RU/physics)
Hosting institution: RU
Collaborators: Daniel Baumann (UvA/physics), Alessandra Silvestri (UL/physics)
Project description: This project capitalizes on the development of new technical tools which, for the first time, bring within reach the computation of cosmological fluctuation spectra in full quantum gravity (potentially supplemented by a dark sector) beyond perturbation theory. Using functional renormalization group methods, we will make theoretical predictions for two- and three-point graviton correlation functions, covering all scales, for a universe emerging from quantum scale invariance. The results will be related to perturbative computations in the context of cosmological models and quantum field theory on curved spacetime. Moreover, a detailed comparison to observables based on discrete causal structures (WP1.1) will be pursued. Matter perturbations as well as the correlation functions derived in WP5.2 will be studied as well. We expect that the confrontation of these theoretical predictions with observational data through WP6.2 and WP6.3 will also provide theoretical pointers towards a better understanding of the dark universe (WP5).
Project WP6.2 Emergence of primordial cosmic structures
Type of position: 2-year postdoc
Leads: Ana Achucarro (UL), Diederik Roest (RUG)
Hosting institution: RUG
Collaborator: Marieke Postma (Nikhef/RU/physics)
Project description: This project will investigate the emergence of primordial structures that have seeded structure formation of the Universe. Our focus will be on multiple quantum degrees of freedom in the primordial universe; together these form a network of coupled quantum harmonic oscillators (see WP4.1) with scale- and time-dependent friction, couplings and frequency. We will address two complementary questions. Firstly, we aim to classify the universality classes of the emergent behaviour of these multi-component systems and derive the resulting correlators. To be able to test these ideas against cosmological observations in WP6.3, an important goal is to determine how these correlators scale with wavenumber in the different kinematic limits. Secondly, we aim to understand the role of emergent space-time symmetries (see WP1.1) in these systems, using these to characterize and determine the primordial correlators that have generated cosmic structures.
Project WP6.3 Spacetime emergence: real and simulated data
Type of position: 1 PhD student
Leads: Daan Meerburg (RUG/physics), Ema Dimastrogiovanni (RUG/physics)
Hosting institution: RUG
Collaborators: Elisa Chisari (UU/physics), R. van de Weijgaert (RUG/physics), C. Weniger (UvA/physics)
Project description: Primordial signatures sourced by the emergence of spacetime (WP6.1) and primordial structures (WP6.2) will be transported to physical properties of our (observable) universe. To that end, we aim to deploy both existing methods, such as standard summary statistics, as well as yet to be fully matured methods, such as those rooted in persistent homology (WP1.1) and likelihood-free inference. We aim to combine observations of the large-scale structure and the cosmic microwave background with future direct probes of gravitational waves. The goal of this project is to build a comprehensive library of all signatures identified (WP6.1) and (WP6.2) accompanied by optimal methods to search for these signatures in real and simulated data. Results will be directly applied to state-of-the-art CMB and LSS data, and projections will be made on how future measurements of direct gravitational wave detection can further narrow down the details of cosmic emergence.
WP7: Engaging with society
WP leaders: Jácome Armas (UvA/physics), Mark Golden (UvA/physics)
Collaborators: Consortium researchers, project manager/curator and consortium PhD students
Partners: The Science and Cocktails Foundation, Stichting Paradiso, Stichting InScience, New Scientist NL, IMC Weekendschool
The goal of this WP is to develop the projects that have been described in some detail in Section 3.4 of the EAAS project proposal, except for the citizen science project included in WP4. The focus is on establishing two-way communication channels between the research developed within this consortium and society using different forms of science communication that can address the societal challenges described in Section 3.3 of the EAAS project proposal. This will be accomplished by combining the expertise of all societal partners involved. We also include a project aimed at developing a digital educational database with content within the theme of this consortium.
Project WP7.1 Science & Cocktails events
Leads: Jácome Armas (UvA/physics), Mark Golden (UvA/physics)
Partners: The Science and Cocktails Foundation, Stichting Paradiso, Stichting InScience, New Scientist NL
Project description: The Science & Cocktails event series (scienceandcocktails.org) is a world-renowned event series organized by The Science And Cocktails Foundation based in Denmark and revolving around science lectures but integrating music, performance, digital art, etc. The series runs over various cities and, since 2018, regularly in Amsterdam as the only Dutch venue to date. The events are typically held in informal spaces such as in Paradiso Amsterdam, are able to reach a young crowd (60% of attendees are 20-35 years old) and create an informal atmosphere that sets the stage for discussion and interaction between scientists and public. EAAS will enable us to set up special Science & Cocktails events. The lecture as well as the music/performance will be based on the theme of the call and research carried out in WPs 1-6, reflecting the Impact Pathways of Section 2.1. The first event will take place in 2026 in Amsterdam, organized in cooperation with Paradiso. Matching the national character of the EAAS consortium, the second will take place Nijmegen in 2027 (potentially in the venues LUX or Doornroojse) integrated into the InScience Film Festival, while the third event will take place in Groningen in 2028 in the venue Spot Groningen. The Science and Cocktails Foundation will be in charge of the various organizational and production tasks as well as in developing the carefully-tailored lectures. The New Scientist NL will contribute with the writing of two articles/interviews about/with the consortium paired with dedicated event advertisement in the New Scientist NL magazine. We expect each of these events to reach between 500 to 1000 guests on site, with the video recordings reaching up to several thousands. The low budget reserved in this NWA-ORC proposal for these events is possible thanks to ticket sales for the events: between €6 to €8 for students and culture card owners, and €10 to €13 for the rest of the public.
Project WP7.2 Emergence Festivals
Lead: Jácome Armas (UvA/physics)
Partners: The Science and Cocktails Foundation, Stichting Paradiso, Stichting InScience, New Scientist NL, IMC Weekendschool
Project description: This project aims at organizing two large-scale festivals (one in 2027 and another in 2029) around the topic of Emergence, inspired by the research developed within the consortium. The first festival will take place in Amsterdam at Tolhuistuin (Paradiso Noord) and will be capable of hosting 2000 guests on site. The location of the second festival will be determined later on, with an ambition to hold it outside Amsterdam. The festival targets all age-ranges from families, through school children to the rest of the population, and will host various activities including lectures, debates, music, performance, exhibitions, installations, etc.. We will open a call via the Commissioning Fund (90k€ per festival) in which artists can apply to develop art projects that will be exhibited during the festival. The consortium acts as matchmaker between selected projects and researchers, in particular our 16 consortium PhDs, so the development of the artwork connects to the research carried out in WPs 1-6. The Science & Cocktails Foundation (S&C Foundation), with extensive experience in facilitating the interaction between science and art, will be responsible for managing the commissioning call and setting up a selection committee (see Section 4.2) to shortlist then select the art projects to be funded. Stichting Paradiso will be responsible for the organizational and logistic aspects of the festival while Stichting InScience will provide documentaries within the theme that can be screened at the festival. The New Scientist NL will be moderating panel debates within the festivals between science and art. The low budget for the festivals is compensated by ticket sales as described in WP7.1 for the Science & Cocktails events, with similar ticket prices. We will guarantee that the festivals are inclusive by collaborating with IMC Weekend School, whose pupils will have free passes for the festivals. The PhD students within the consortium will play an active role in providing content to the festival and in aiding both its organization and execution.
Project WP7.3 Digital educational database
Type of position: project manager and curator
Leads: Jácome Armas (UvA/physics), Mark Golden (UvA/physics)
Hosting institution: UvA
Project description: This WP aims at hiring a project manager, required for the proper execution of the entire program, who can also act as principle artist-in-residence and art curator for the programme. The role of this art curator is to help select and curate projects for the Emergence Festivals but also to maintain and curate a digital education database that will be freely available via the consortium’s website. This database will include various types of educational and informational content about Emergence and the research carried out in this consortium, including written content for various target groups (from school children to university students) as well as a selection of art projects related to Emergence and the theme of the consortium. The PhD students will be enlisted to provide content for the website, not least in the form of the pitches accompanying each EAAS scientific publication.