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Self-sustaining vibration and mechanical resonance effects in stimuli responsive liquid crystal polymer coatings and membranes (Vibrate)

Objective

The amplification of collective molecular effects to macroscopic deformation is one of the most intriguing challenges in materials science. Individual molecules can be reversibly activated by various means such as light, chemicals and external electrical or magnetic fields. They may respond by changing their orientation, their molecular conformation or by breaking /forming chemical bonds. Bringing these molecules in a matrix of an ordered molecular system, such as a liquid crystal polymer network, introduces molecular cooperativity and directionality. Dimensional changes of the individual molecules add up to large effects such as the formation of deformed surfaces in a coating and the formation of free volume (molecular voids) in membranes. The objective of the present proposal is to bring the molecular action, in conjunction with the macroscopic deformation, out of its equilibrium aiming a self-sustaining oscillation of the macroscopic response to a continuous trigger. An example that will be investigated is a surface that continuously changes it topography when addressed by its trigger. Another example is a membrane that will oscillate its (localized) free volume thus providing an active transport mechanism for species through the membrane. Alternatively we will investigate the response to an oscillating trigger with a frequency matching the molecular action to find sweet spots for mechanical resonance thus enhancing the macroscopic effect. The research is challenging. Only, with a comprehensive and combined effort, we can expect the required progress needed to close the gap between materials science, optics, electronics and mechanics and to deliver routes to new applications. But when achieved it will undoubtfully lead to new applications in coating and film technology with an outlook to soft robotics, self-pumping membranes, mechanical communication at man-machine interfaces and energy harvesting.

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.

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Programme(s)

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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.

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

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Call for proposal

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

(opens in new window) ERC-2014-ADG

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Host institution

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN
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.

€ 2 429 322,50
Address
GROENE LOPER 3
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands

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Region
Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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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.

€ 2 429 322,50

Beneficiaries (1)

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