Objective
Living organisms teach us how to design material structures that can move autonomously. Such motility is not restricted to animated organisms but can also originate from local differences t expansion coefficients in ligneous compounds. This challenges the design of micro-objects that can perform mechanical work and undergo locomotion. Irrespective of the specific material, three fundamental tasks must be solved: (i) to fuel the material for the actuation; (ii) to control the morphing of the object in time and space; and (iii) to establish a feed-back mechanism that enables timing of a sequence of steps. The later refers to an integrated clock function in order to pulse the energy input for distinct mechanical strokes.
Within JELLYCLOCK, we address all three questions at the example of light driven hydrogel micro-objects. We have developed light sensitive microgels that change their shape within milliseconds. IR-irradiation of gold nanorods, entrapped in a thermosensitive hydrogel, is used to heat the gel from inside and enable a gradated spatial and temporal control of its swelling and shrinking. The water-based actuation will be directed to generate a non-reciprocal deformation as required for locomotion at low Reynolds numbers. So far, a directed cyclic deformation action relies on the outside modulation of the irradiation. We will extent this concept by introducing self-oscillating absorption efficiency, so that a stepwise body deformation becomes feasible under continuous irradiation. The project comprises (1) the advanced design of hydrogel based actuators driven by modulated light, (2) achievement of a precise control of the deformation in time and space , and as the actual disruptive step, (3) the realization of a self-sustaining pulsation under continuous near IR irradiation.
Such soft micro engines strike a new path to micro-robotics for biomedical or biomechanical applications, or to create micro devices that could mix, sort and circulate fluid.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology stroke
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2015-AdG
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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.
52074 Aachen
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.