Project description
Pushing the boundaries of synthetic swarming robots
In the microscopic realm, cell division relies on biological robots known as microtubule-asters. Powered by guanosine triphosphate, these remarkable structures employ extendable ‘legs’ to orchestrate crucial cellular functions. However, bridging the gap between synthetic and biological systems has remained a scientific challenge. In this context, the ERC-funded Suprabot project aims to emulate the functions of microtubule-asters. Suprabots are micron-sized, multi-legged supramolecular robots capable of dynamic shape changes, directional movement and collective swarming behaviour. This project tackles the intricacies of artificial chemical systems and heralds a new era in merging supramolecular systems chemistry with swarm robotics, pushing the boundaries of artificial chemical systems towards biological-like functions.
Objective
Biological robots perform complex biological functions such as cell division. Microtubule-asters, for example, use extendable legs emanating from a central point to position themselves at the center of the cell or to mechanically pull chromosomes apart. Their legs are formed by dissipative supramolecular polymerization of tubulin dimers into microtubules, powered by guanosine triphosphate chemical fuel.
This Suprabot ERC-CoG proposal aims to make fully synthetic analogous of the microtubule-asters. Suprabots are multilegged micron-sized supramolecular robots that can change shape, move directionally, and show collective swarming behavior when in close proximity of each other. A single suprabot leg consists of a supramolecular polymer bundle that is powered by chemical fuels and/or by light under non-equilibrium conditions. The needed reaction cycles to extend and contract a single leg, and the leg dynamics that are obtained under non-equilibrium conditions are investigated in work package 1. The legs are attached to a central point by accurately controlling (secondary) nucleation in a microfluidic device. This allows multiple legs to exert forces onto the walls of various microfluidic channels resulting in directed motility in work package 2. Finally, many suprabots are placed in close proximity, where they push against each other, resulting in collective ensemble-behavior. This leads to dynamic suprabot-lattices and collective swarm rotation if supplied with enough chemical energy or light in work package 3. Suprabots compete for shared resources and can develop predatory behavior.
Suprabot serves as an integrative platform to bring together so far disjoint concepts in Supramolecular Systems Chemistry and Swarm Robotics, to bring us closer to biological-like functions in fully artificial chemical systems.
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 chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
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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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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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.
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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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG
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28049 Madrid
Spain
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