About project DIMD

Project title: “Desorption of icy molecules in the interstellar medium (DIMD)”

Project No.:  lzp-2021/1-0076

Project acronym: DIMD               

Funder: Latvian Science Council, Fundamental and Applied Research Projects

Project submitter: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS)

Project scientific supervisor: VUAS leading researcher Juris Kalvāns

Duration: 01.01.2022. – 31.12.2024. (36 months, 3 reference periods)

Brief Qualitative Description and Aim of the Project:

In cosmic nebulae, specific molecules, including organic ones, are formed in icy mantles on the surface of interstellar dust grains. The observation of such species in the nebulae testifies that there are processes that eject (desorb) molecules from dust grain surface into the gas phase. The aim of the project is to create an astrochemical numerical model that fully

describes the various desorption processes in interstellar clouds. The model is to be applied for solving relevant pressing problems in astrochemistry.

Project tasks:

The Project consists of four primary tasks.

1. Development of numerical descriptions for desorption mechanisms
2. Advancing the astrochemical model.
3. Solving astrochemical problems.
4. Project coordination, administration, and dissemination.

Project results:

The primary planned results are six scientific publications, including at least four in high-impact astronomical scientific journals. In addition, two science popularizing papers and two

press releases are planned.

Project funding: 299 927.10 EUR

Contacts:

Project scientific head – Dr. phys. Juris Kalvāns, juris.kalvans@venta.lv

Project administrative head – Ieva Kozlova, ieva.kozlova@venta.lv