Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Laser-induced Nanostructures as Biomimetic Model of Fluid Transport in the Integument of Animals

Objective

The integument of an animal body has various functions, which are often achieved by specific micro- and/or nano- hierarchical structures. Examples are the very low water friction and air retention of water spiders or the swim fern of salvinia and the outstanding adhesion properties of geckos. In this project, we will employ advanced laser-processing strategies based on self-organization, to mimic the specific topography and the excellent wetting properties of the integument of bark bugs and moisture harvesting lizards resulting from adaptations to their environment. Flat bark bugs darken during rain fall due to a super-wettable body surface with capillaries out of which water spreads onto plain areas of the bug. For moisture harvesting in lizards wettability takes place in opposed direction, i.e. from plain areas into a capillary network on the skin. A fast and directional transport results from a special geometry of capillaries. Thus as general objective we want to test whether both effects, i.e. fast capillary transport (lizard) and liquid spreading onto plain areas (bark bugs), can be combined by optimized structures with hierarchical geometry. The outcome of this innovative biomimetic exploitation of wetting effects is expected to lead to a radically new technological approach of laser-generated surface textures on micro- and nanometer scale. Especially for control of friction and wear in liquids, leveraging new results can be expected, e.g. for developing slide bearings. The extension of surface structures over large areas is feasible. Thus, laser-fabrication of biomimetic surfaces with extreme wetting properties can be also anticipated in further applications, e.g. lubrication, water and oil separation, reduced drag in underwater applications, high power device cooling. All related to an innovative and sustainable reduction of CO2 emission.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

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.

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.

RIA - Research and Innovation action

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 492 250,00
Address
N PLASTIRA STR 100
70 013 IRAKLEIO
Greece

See on map

Region
Νησιά Αιγαίου Κρήτη Ηράκλειο
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 492 250,00

Participants (6)

My booklet 0 0