Objective
Surfaces play a crucial role in the interaction of a material with its environment. Recent advances in Soft Matter physics reveal the extraordinary properties of surfaces with complex physico-chemical modifications. Of particular interest is the influence of such modifications on the wetting and flow of simple or complex fluids. Despite growing research efforts, a sound understanding and large-scale applications remain out of reach due to the difficulty of creating complex surfaces with satisfying control and cost. In particular, no technique exists to reliably modify surfaces within complex materials, like micro-porous solids.
I therefore propose to develop an original bottom-up approach which relies on the self-organisation of interfacially active agents (polymers, particles) at the interface between two fluids. Using microfluidic techniques and the self-ordering of equal-volume drops under gravity, I will create highly periodic emulsions from these fluids which are stabilised by one type of agent. Solidification of the continuous phase (including the agent) and removal of the discrete phase will lead to the creation of a micro-porous solid with well-defined morphology to which the agent confers the desired surface modification (polymer brush, surface roughness).
In systematically comparing the properties of these porous solids with those of flat modified surfaces, I aim to solidly correlate their surface properties with the resulting wetting/flow properties of simple and complex fluids. Building on this understanding and the acquired technical knowhow I aim to realise two long-sought applications: a supersponge & a liquid spring.
To establish my research group as a world leader in this rapidly evolving and competitive domain at the interface between physics and chemistry, I need to tackle this project at different length scales and levels of complexity with a long term vision. At my career stage only an ERC Starting Grant can provide me with this possibility
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 physical sciences condensed matter physics soft matter physics
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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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.
ERC-2012-StG_20111012
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.
Host institution
75794 PARIS
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.