The overarching goal of MUMMERING is to create a research tool that encompasses the wealth of new 3D imaging mo-dalities that are surging forward for applications in materials engineering, and to create a doctoral programme that trains 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) in this tool. This is urgently needed to prevent that massive amounts of valuable tomogra-phy data ends on a virtual scrapheap. The challenge of handling and analysing terabytes of 3D data is already limiting the level of scientific insight that is extracted from many data sets. With faster acquisition times and multidimensional modali-ties, these challenges will soon scale to the petabyte regime. To meet this challenge, we will create an open access, open source platform that transparently and efficiently handles the complete workflow from data acquisition, over reconstruction and segmentation to physical modelling, including temporal models, i.e. 3D “movies”. We consider it essential to reach this final step without compromising scientific standards if 3D imaging is to become a pervasive research tool in the visions for Industry 4.0. The 15 ESRs will be enrolled in an intensive network-wide doctoral training programme that covers all aspects of 3D imag-ing and will benefit from a varied track of intersectoral secondments that will challenge and broaden their scope and ap-proach to research. The ESRs will exit the MUMMERING network as highly attractive and employable PhDs with a practical and qualified take on industrial research.

The development of methods for the transition metal-catalysed functionalization of C-H bonds is revolutionizing synthetic organic chemistry by providing tools to simplify and accelerate the synthesis and modification of a myriad of known and still unknown organic molecules including aromatic compounds. However, in these processes, the ability to discriminate between C-H bonds for subsequent transformation into other functional groups still remains as a major challenge. To date, much progress has been made on developing strategies for the ortho-functionalization of arenes, mainly through the derivatization of the substrates with directing groups. meta-Functionalization approaches, on the other hand, are extremely scarce despite eta-substitution is a widespread motive amongst biologically active molecules. The research outlined in this proposal aims at developing a process that makes use of CO2 as an invisible directing group leading to an array of novel direct meta-functionalization methodologies. To do so, we envision a one-pot strategy involving a carboxylation ortho to an R group followed by a tandem CO2H directed ortho-functionalization/decarboxylation process that affords the desired meta-functionalized products and releases again the CO2 employed as the directing group. The realisation of the objectives of this project will push forward the state-of-the art in the area of C-H bond activation by providing step economical access to molecules that are difficult to prepare via conventional multistep routes.