Objective
The goal of this project is to study and control the self-assembly of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by a shell of responsive polymers at liquid-liquid interfaces in order to crosslink them into ultra-thin, mechanically stable, responsive membranes. This novel “smart” material will have unique properties suitable for applications in miniaturized lab-on-chip and other microfluidics devices. The interdisciplinary nature of the project contributes to its scientific novelty and impact, and constitutes an extraordinary training experience for the applicant. In the first part of the project, the applicant will develop a novel combination of experimental techniques to characterize the fundamental aspects of core-shell NP adsorption at liquid-liquid interfaces. By means of advanced confocal microscopy and particle tracking, complemented by pendant-drop tensiometry, this project will yield an exhaustive characterization, both from a microscopic and macroscopic point of view, of such system, so far practically unexplored. The obtained understanding - of high scientific relevance in its own right - will be used to optimize the design and fabrication of crosslinked responsive NP monolayer membranes. Using superparamagnetic NPs stabilized by a shell of crosslinkable thermoresponsive polymers, the applicant will produce ultra-thin robust assemblies which can respond reversibly to external stimuli. Temperature changes and consequent responses can be imparted to the system locally by exploiting the magnetic functionality of the NP constituents (heat transfer in an AC magnetic field). Moreover the crosslinked membranes can be actuated in DC magnetic fields as envisaged for applications. The responsive properties of the resulting materials, which have no current equivalent, will be investigated by means of optical and atomic force microscopy (structural properties) and microrheology and colloid-AFM force spectroscopy (mechanical properties).
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 physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF
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.
Coordinator
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.