Non-singular Ekpyrotic/Cyclic model in Loop Quantum Cosmology
  We study the role of non-perturbative quantum gravity effects in the
Ekpyrotic/Cyclic model using the effective framework of loop quantum cosmology
in the presence of anisotropies. We show that quantum geometric modifications
to the dynamical equations near the Planck scale as understood in the
quantization of Bianchi-I spacetime in loop quantum cosmology lead to the
resolution of classical singularity and result in a non-singular transition of
the universe from the contracting to the expanding branch. In the Planck
regime, the universe undergoes multiple small bounces and the anisotropic shear
remains bounded throughout the evolution. A novel feature, which is absent for
isotropic models, is a natural turn around of the moduli field from the
negative region of the potential leading to a cyclic phenomena as envisioned in
the original paradigm. Our work suggests that incorporation of quantum
gravitational effects in the Ekpyrotic/Cyclic model may lead to a viable
scenario without any violation of the null energy condition.
