Objective The key challenge of this proposal is to create artificial nanostructures that perform active tasks inspired by biology such as transport, chemical synthesis and molecular motion. Instead of bio-molecules, ligand-stabilized metal nanoparticles will be used as the main components that will operate embedded within a biological or non-biological matrix, i.e. a cell compartment, a membrane, an emulsion or a gel. Chemical multi-functionality of the nanoparticles will be achieved through a simple but conceptually new modular approach by which rationally selected different functional moieties are attached to the surface of the particles. While the global vision behind this proposal is to build the foundation for a technological implementation of active nanomaterials that operate far from chemical equilibrium, the research itself is purely fundamental. It seeks to demonstrate that the thermodynamic conditions essential to living organisms can also be applied to artificial nanoscale assemblies and enable these to imitate some functional aspects of life. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE4 - ERC Advanced Grant - Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120216 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL Address Brownlow hill 765 foundation building L69 7ZX Liverpool United Kingdom See on map Region North West (England) Merseyside Liverpool Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Suzanne Halpin (Ms.) Principal investigator Mathias Brust (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL United Kingdom EU contribution € 2 494 730,00 Address Brownlow hill 765 foundation building L69 7ZX Liverpool See on map Region North West (England) Merseyside Liverpool Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Suzanne Halpin (Ms.) Principal investigator Mathias Brust (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
