Descripción del proyecto
Unos materiales innovadores proporcionan músculos artificiales con movimiento realista
El desarrollo de «músculos artificiales» está ganando terreno gracias a los avances tecnológicos realizados en los campos de la robótica y la medicina. Si bien los dispositivos accionadores (que convierten energía en movimiento) son importantes para la vida cotidiana, no pueden proporcionar movimientos suaves y silenciosos que imiten el movimiento y la destreza de las personas. El equipo del proyecto E-MOTION, financiado con fondos europeos, desarrollará unos innovadores materiales blandos a escala macroscópica basados en moléculas con entrecruzamiento de espín conmutables con unos rendimientos de accionamiento destacables. Mediante el uso de una combinación de métodos de ingeniería de materiales, proporcionará materiales conmutables con propiedades de accionamiento eléctrico, autodetección y recolección de energía. Al tener una firme comprensión de la relación entre su estructura profunda y sus propiedades mecánicas, el equipo de E-MOTION utilizará estos materiales como base para desarrollar accionadores originales con trenzado de fibras, así como dispositivos microfluídicos accionadores impresos en 3D.
Objetivo
Actuator devices converting energy into motion are a fundamental part of everyday life. However, there is currently an unmet need in actuation technologies to provide soft, smooth, noiseless movement that can mimic human motion and dexterity. The development of such “artificial muscles” is burgeoning in both interest and importance as it would enable significant advances in areas as important as robotics, medicine and aeronautics. To enable a step-change in this field, E·MOTION proposes to develop unprecedented macroscopic-scale soft materials based on switchable spin crossover molecules with remarkable actuating performances. Using an innovative combination of material engineering methods these materials will be endowed with electrical actuation, self-sensing and energy harvesting properties, which will be a major breakthrough. More fundamentally, E·MOTION aims at understanding in-depth structure vs. mechanical property relationships in these switchable materials, which is essential for processing and optimizing their function. A multiscale experimental and theoretical approach will be used to assess how the molecular deformation and change in molecular connectivity under external stimuli affect macroscopic mechanical properties as well as the cycle life. Finally, E·MOTION will take a major shift on the side of actuator design by the development of original fibre-braided actuators as well as 3D-printed, microfluidic actuator devices made of these materials. These advanced actuator designs will then be thoroughly analysed for their ability to mimic complex muscular schemes. This ambitious, multidisciplinary project that brings together various aspects of molecular and polymer chemistry, condensed matter physics, mechanical engineering and advanced manufacturing, will enable a new departure in my career and a significant leap forward in the state-of-the-art that shall expedite the societal exploitation of these novel, molecule-based actuator technologies.
Ámbito científico
- natural sciencesphysical sciencescondensed matter physics
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaeronautical engineering
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringrobotics
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantInstitución de acogida
75794 Paris
Francia