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Self-contracting vascular networks: From fluid transport to autonomous locomotion of soft materials

Objective

Liquid flows in vascular networks are among the most effective ways to transport matter and information for life. Artificial vascular networks have mimicked this strategy without reproducing the same level of autonomy and adaptability. From animals to fungi, the most adaptable organisms control fluid transport with vessels that actively contract upon local sensing of stimuli. This adaptative fluid transport enables functionalities in organisms such as autonomous locomotion toward objectives. How are the orientation and rate of fluid flows controlled by self-contractions? How do these self-contracting networks tailor autonomous functionalities? So far, we do not know. Studies on organisms are limited to observations and lack the systematical characterizations required to apply these observations to artificial materials.

Self-Flow hypothesizes that artificial vascular networks containing distributed sensors and actuators can decipher how self-contractions enable adaptable fluid transport. From there, materials containing self-contracting artificial vascular networks will enable systematical studies on the emergence of autonomous functionalities. With this experimental asset reinforced by theoretical and numerical models, my group and I will address the following questions:

• Q1 DELIVER: How do self-contractions transport fluids across networks?
• Q2 ADAPT: How do self-contractions autonomously adapt to the need of the network?
• Q3 BEHAVE: How do self-contractions enable living matter functionalities?

Self-Flow will combine active matter and mechanistic approaches to model fluid transport in self-contracting vascular networks. I will use these results to design active vascularized materials that use fluid transfer to autonomously locomote towards objectives and exchange information with their pairs. This will open the way to autonomous robots that can change shape, split or recombine like soft materials and develop functionalities beyond locomotion.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG

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Host institution

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 499 179,00
Total cost

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.

€ 1 499 179,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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