Objective
Carbon nanotubes are most promising candidates for the development of advanced functional materials because of their nanometric dimensions combined with remarkable electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. Almost all carbon nanotube composites studied so far have however failed to display the desired behaviour because of insufficient order in the systems. Finding a simple, efficient and reproducible way to control the alignment of the nanotubes thus appears a key step in the further development towards carbon-nanotube-based devices.
The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to solve the alignment problem by utilizing the self-organizing properties of liquid crystals. The possibility to transfer the order of a liquid-crystalline host onto the nanotubes has recently been demonstrated, but an understanding of which mechanisms are involved is lacking. With a profound understanding of the processes involved in the liquid-crystal-assisted nanotube dispersion and alignment, an optimisation of the host is possible which may dramatically improve the properties of the composite.
A systematic study involving a series of related liquid crystalline substances, exhibiting strategically chosen differences in their molecular structures, will be performed to understand how the molecules adsorb on the nanotube surface. The different composites will be characterized with various techniques, primarily polarized Raman spectroscopy which has been proven efficient in assessing the state of nanotubes embedded in an organic host.
The degree of macroscopic order can be measured quantitatively and by monitoring the vibrational modes of the nanotubes the molecular interactions involved in the adsorption process can be studied. As the liquid crystal provides not only static alignment but also a means of reorienting the nanotubes by applying an electric field, we will also employ time-resolved Raman spectroscopy for following the dynamics of the reorientation mechanisms.
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 biological sciences microbiology virology
- engineering and technology materials engineering composites
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids
- engineering and technology materials engineering liquid crystals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
MUENCHEN
Germany
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.