Project description DEENESFRITPL Converting light to mechanical energy might be a black or white issue Inspired by nature, synthetic micromotors and nanomotors (MNMs) convert other types of energy into mechanical energy to perform work on very small scales. Among the motors converting optical energy are photocatalytic MNMs. The key to widespread applicability will be harvesting solar energy along the entire spectrum. Conventional titanium oxide (TiO2) is a white pigment commonly used in the paint and plastics industry, which mainly absorbs ultraviolet light. Its black counterpart, slightly oxidised TiO2 or oxygen deficient TiO2, additionally absorbs visible and infrared light. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STIMULATOR project is harnessing black TiO2 for a new generation of practically applicable photocatalytic MNMs. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Photocatalytic Micro and nanomotors (MNMs) are artificial machines that convert light energy to propulsion and these light-powered machines have garnered considerable attention due to their potential applications in environmental detection/remediation, biomedicine, and microengineering. Since these machines are light controlled, their direction and velocity of motion can be regulated by modulating the intensity and orientation of the light source and the selection of light source is determined according to the absorption spectrum of the MNMs. For real-life applications, it is necessary to harvest solar energy directly for the autonomous propulsion of such motors that will pave the way for a unique motor system with enhanced motor skills. TiO2 is one of the most efficient and most investigated photocatalysts and researches are going on to directly harvest solar energy without using any external light source. It is necessary to synthesise a material that can harvest the whole solar spectrum containing 5% UV (absorb 200-400nm), 43% Visible (absorb 400-700 nm), and 52% IR (700-2500 nm) energy. In such a way, to exploit TiO2, its black version, the ‘black TiO2’ with mesoporosity will be implemented here in the form of its janus structural combinations with metals to form MMBT MNMs and bimetallics to form BMBT MNMs in a fuel free environment. These MNMs will be implemented in photocatalysis of a one component and two component systems, viz. using a single anionic or cationic dye as the target (single component) or a mixture of one anionic and one cationic dye as target (two component). So, the new class of MNMs will pave the way for selective and non-selective photocatalysis. Overall, STIMULATOR will develop, a new class of materials called ‘direct-sunlight active MNMs’. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energynatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisphotocatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Keywords Janus micro nanomotors sunlight active motors self propulsion Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNE Net EU contribution € 156 980,64 Address ANTONINSKA 548/1 601 90 Brno Stred Czechia See on map Region Česko Jihovýchod Jihomoravský kraj Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 156 980,64
