Project description
Enhancing the speed and efficiency of photocatalytic microbots
Microrobots have enormous potential for applications in medicine, healthcare, manufacturing or even search and rescue in collapsed buildings. They turn energy from the surroundings or an external stimulus into motion, performing delicate tasks in very small spaces. Light-driven motion in photocatalytic robots offers the potential to use a renewable energy source while enabling new chemical reactions. However, far from reaching the speed of light, the robots’ motion can be confused with the ordinary Brownian motion of particles. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PLOBOT project will enhance the speed and efficiency of light-driven microbots by harnessing electromagnetic effects for hydrogen generation and degradation of organic waste.
Objective
The 1966 sci-fi film, Fantastic Voyage, portrayed a scientist who miniaturized a submarine to enter his body to remove a blood clot. It is only recently that scientists have been able to assemble microrobots from scratch to autonomously move and perform complex tasks, such as catching and delivering cargo, and/or performing chemical reactions. The bots use energy from their surroundings or from an external stimulus, and turn it into motion. Light-driven motion in photocatalytic robots is exceptionally appealing as it allows actuation and control by using an external free energy source i.e. sun and enhancement of chemical reactions due to two effects: self-generated micro-mixing effect and constant surface refreshment, giving place to new chemical reactions ‘on-the-fly’. Yet, the reported photocatalytic bots up to date are so slow that their speed can be confused with Brownian motion. This project seeks to combine two approaches for the first time to enhance the efficiency and speed of light-driven bots: Lorentz force as an ultrafast motion mechanism and plasmonic effects for bettering light harvesting. A novel system will be introduced in which the robot’s motion based on the magnetohydrodynamic convection effect is triggered by visible light and can pursue desired reactions (degradation of organic wastes and hydrogen generation). By leveraging the host’s fundamental photophysical approach in nanoplasmonic design and my interdisciplinary angle on microrobots and energy field, the results are expected to bring knowledge gain for the microrobot field, and possibly a long-term impact on Europe’s solar technological innovations. The project‘s training comprises transferrable (leadership and communication) and technical skills development (bridging a knowledge gap in photophysics), to advance my career as a future group leader in Europe with an unorthodox research angle combining photo/electrochemistry and microrobots for alternative energy and environmental solutions.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicselectromagnetism
- natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistry
- humanitieslanguages and literatureliterature studiesliterary genresessaysscience fiction
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydrogen energy
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany