Project description
Innovative materials that mimic the energy-driven behaviours of life
Living systems are powered by molecular motors that convert energy into essential functions such as movement, transport, and adaptation. Inspired by this, the ERC-funded SPRING project aims to bring similar active properties to synthetic materials using artificial molecular motors. Unlike current materials that are mostly passive, these motors will drive systems out of equilibrium to enable advanced functions including morphing, self-adaptation, and propulsion. Combining advanced synthetic chemistry and fundamental understanding of molecular systems, SPRING seeks to create innovative (supra)molecular systems, new synthetic objects to study complex matter, and new technologies to apply molecular machines in real-world uses.
Objective
Biomolecular motors are fundamental elements in the emergence of dynamic, self-sustaining, and evolving properties that characterize living systems. When fuelled by an external source of energy, they can perform and convert mechanical work into key functions such as catalysis, regulation, transport, actuation, and locomotion. This transduction of energy happens between hierarchical levels of self-organization, which maintain living systems out of thermodynamic equilibrium and link the unidirectional motion produced by the motors with various emerging functions in a remarkably efficient way. Therefore, one could expect that the implementation of artificial molecular motors in fully synthetic (supra)molecular systems may confer them with some “active” functional properties, in striking contrast with the majority of today’s rather “passive” materials which are engineered and used in (meta)stable states. However, artificial molecular machines have been mainly studied so far as molecular switches, which simply influence their surrounding as a function of their isomerization states (typically A vs B). The objective of the SPRING project is to unambiguously show that the unidirectional motion of artificial molecular motors can be usefully implemented in supramolecular and macromolecular systems and materials, in order to drive them energetically uphill and to subsequently produce non-trivial functions requiring dissipative out-of-equilibrium conditions such as: active morphing, active adaptation, and active propulsion. This will be achieved through advanced synthetic chemistry and a fundamental in-depth understanding of the (supra)molecular and macromolecular systems developed at all scales. If successful, the SPRING project will establish innovative concepts to elaborate (i) active (supra)molecular systems, (ii) new synthetic objects to study some fundamentals of complex matter, and (iii) new technologies to envision applications of molecular machines in the real world.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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-ADG
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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.
67000 Strasbourg
France
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.