Objective
While mechatronic solutions become increasingly pervasive, there are areas, such as the space or the ocean depths, that are still difficult to reach and exploit through conventional technologies. Yet, such areas represent an immense source of materials and energy. A bottleneck is represented by actuation/generation technologies, which struggle in unconventional environments. Electrostatic drives based on electroactive polymers (EAPs) have long been regarded as a potentially game-changing solution, as they rely on lightweight materials and feature no rigid moving parts, but their applicability has been severely hindered by reliability and performance limitations. Recently, fluid-gap transducers (FGTs), which leverage combinations of dielectric polymers and liquids, have emerged as a breakthrough, as they have shown potential for reaching significantly improved performance and lifetime.
With this project, we will push FGTs beyond their limits, making them able to operate in low pressure atmospheres for space applications, or underwater and at high pressures for application in the marine environment. To achieve these goals, we will 1) expand base knowledge on the working principle of FGTs, 2) develop new operating principle concepts based on highly unconventional material combinations, enabled by our recent findings, such as low-pressure air/vacuum dielectric gaps, or high-permittivity mildly-conductive “leaky” dielectric liquids, 3) provide proof of concept and validation of such new paradigms in a number of relevant scenarios, including FGT-driven robotic systems able to operate in vacuum (for space applications) or underwater/at high pressure, and scaled prototypes of distributed energy harvesters from sea waves.
This project will mark a leap in the field of electromechanical drives and allow mechatronic devices to reach frontiers that are unthinkable with conventional technology.
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.
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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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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.
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.
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
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
38122 TRENTO
Italy
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.