Objective
Smart surfaces with switchable properties hold great promise for future integrated sensors. Azobenzene molecules have been demonstrated to switch reversibly between the trans and cis isomer with picosecond time constants, when triggered with an external light source. Due to the different molecular geometries and electronic properties of the isomers, these may be used as molecular switches for realizing smart surfaces. The objective of this research proposal is to establish methods for integrating photo-switchable smart surfaces into miniaturized sensors. For efficient switching this requires on-chip light sources providing sufficient intensity at the location of the molecular switch. Ultraviolet and blue organic light emitting diodes will be integrated monolithically onto dielectric substrates with a periodically nanostructured high refractive index layer. This slab photonic crystal allows for resonant excitation of the molecular switches. Two types of smart surfaces will be studied. First, the reversible switching of wettability between hydrophilic and hydrophobic will be investigated, which is of particular importance for reconfigurable microfluidic chips. Second, the switchable surface adsorption of biomaterials is targeted. The periodic switching of the binding sites between an active and an inactive state will cause a periodic measurement signal. This allows for the use of lock-in techniques with superior signal-to-noise ratio and for subtraction of the background at same position. Combining both types of smart surfaces promises reconfigurable, multifunctional, highly-selective future integrated biosensors. The final goal of the proposed project is to demonstrate for the first time an integrated microsystem with smart surfaces switched by on-chip light sources for spatial and temporal control of the surface wettability as well as control of binding sites for biomolecules.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2012-StG_20111012
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
24118 Kiel
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.