Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DiStruc (Directed Colloidal Structure at the Meso-Scale)
Berichtszeitraum: 2017-01-01 bis 2018-12-31
DiStruc (Directed Structure at the meso-scale) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network studying fluid dispersions containing rod-like colloidal particles. These form a plethora of ordered, liquid-crystalline states as well as glassy and gel-like disordered states already at very low concentrations. Despite their remarkable properties, industrial applications have entered the market only relatively recently. To accelerate their exploitation applications, DiStruc pushes the field in a new, innovative direction where rod-like colloidal particles of a very diverse nature are used to form structures with a well-defined direction: Directed Structure (DiStruc) at the mesoscopic level.
The objective of DiStruc is three-fold:
1. The scientific goal is to understand and direct structure formation in dispersions of elongated colloidal particles by internal (particle characteristics, interactions and concentration) and external means (confinement and flow).
2. The practical goal is to actively further the exploitation of this knowledge in the EU for rational product development in industrial sectors involved in the production of novel superior textures for fast moving consumer goods (foods, home and personal care), and high-performance fibres.
3. The educational goal is to train the next generation of European researchers at the highest (PhD) level with a multidisciplinary academic and industrial skill set from physics to biology, experiments to theory/simulations, and product development to marketing.
The objective of DiStruc is three-fold:
1. The scientific goal is to understand and direct structure formation in dispersions of elongated colloidal particles by internal (particle characteristics, interactions and concentration) and external means (confinement and flow).
2. The practical goal is to actively further the exploitation of this knowledge in the EU for rational product development in industrial sectors involved in the production of novel superior textures for fast moving consumer goods (foods, home and personal care), and high-performance fibres.
3. The educational goal is to train the next generation of European researchers at the highest (PhD) level with a multidisciplinary academic and industrial skill set from physics to biology, experiments to theory/simulations, and product development to marketing.
The project has been divided into 4 scientific workpackages.
WP1: We introduced the general phase behaviour of liquid crystals and how this can be explored in simulations, experiments and theory, with a focus on rod flexibility, specific interactions and confinement effects. Interfaces and the influence of external fields were studied as well. Finally, the interplay between molecular chirality and resulting structure was studied.
WP2: We studied dynamic arrest and fluidization of rod dispersions, developed theories to address percolation, and characterized the rheology of anisotropic suspensions, with and without inclusion.
WP3: We examined structure formation and distortion under the influence of flow. Here, we focused on bulk systems and the role of particle characteristics and flow geometry, as well as the application in fibre spinning processes.
WP4: We have made rod-like particles grafted with temperature- and/or pH-responsive polymers. We prepared and characterized complex systems containing cellulose microfibrils and worked on the production of nanocellulose particles.
WP5 deals with the exploitation of the research, both from an academic and an industrial perspective. Here, we have effectively created new knowledge and transferred knowledge between the nodes and with the wider community. Furthermore, each industrial node has been extremely positive about the impact DiStruc has made on their research, and it has so far led to one filled patent application.
The last 3 workpackages guarantee a successful outcome of the training, the outreach and the management of the project.
The training program is built on three educational lines, namely (i) On-site (local) training; (ii) Main network–wide training events; and (iii) Training through intersectorial secondments. The ESRs are profiting from local training opportunities such as seminars, language courses, soft skills training and group meetings and are embarking on secondments. We have organized 8 progress meetings, some of which included industrial and/or scientific training sessions, transferable skills sessions, and exploitation meetings. We have organized 4 workshops with acclaimed invited speakers and very good turnouts.
Regarding exploitation, dissemination and outreach activities we have created a visual identity for the project (DiStruc logo, brochure, newsletter); launched the DiStruc website; and are employing social media to advertise events, disseminate results, and showcase the achievements of the ESRs. We have a strong publication record, which continues to grow, and have presented our work at national and international conferences. We have been very active in outreach, both at local institutions, and as a network, in particular the Squishy Soft Science events, of which the 2016 version won the Best Outreach Prize awarded by the Cost Action MP1305.
Finally, a clear management structure has been set up and the related activities have been divided into two sections: day-to-day management and reporting, both run from the University of Oxford. The Supervisory Board, which is the decision making body, convenes every six months. Career management, finances, training, outreach, dissemination and risk mitigation form standard items on the agenda of these meetings.
WP1: We introduced the general phase behaviour of liquid crystals and how this can be explored in simulations, experiments and theory, with a focus on rod flexibility, specific interactions and confinement effects. Interfaces and the influence of external fields were studied as well. Finally, the interplay between molecular chirality and resulting structure was studied.
WP2: We studied dynamic arrest and fluidization of rod dispersions, developed theories to address percolation, and characterized the rheology of anisotropic suspensions, with and without inclusion.
WP3: We examined structure formation and distortion under the influence of flow. Here, we focused on bulk systems and the role of particle characteristics and flow geometry, as well as the application in fibre spinning processes.
WP4: We have made rod-like particles grafted with temperature- and/or pH-responsive polymers. We prepared and characterized complex systems containing cellulose microfibrils and worked on the production of nanocellulose particles.
WP5 deals with the exploitation of the research, both from an academic and an industrial perspective. Here, we have effectively created new knowledge and transferred knowledge between the nodes and with the wider community. Furthermore, each industrial node has been extremely positive about the impact DiStruc has made on their research, and it has so far led to one filled patent application.
The last 3 workpackages guarantee a successful outcome of the training, the outreach and the management of the project.
The training program is built on three educational lines, namely (i) On-site (local) training; (ii) Main network–wide training events; and (iii) Training through intersectorial secondments. The ESRs are profiting from local training opportunities such as seminars, language courses, soft skills training and group meetings and are embarking on secondments. We have organized 8 progress meetings, some of which included industrial and/or scientific training sessions, transferable skills sessions, and exploitation meetings. We have organized 4 workshops with acclaimed invited speakers and very good turnouts.
Regarding exploitation, dissemination and outreach activities we have created a visual identity for the project (DiStruc logo, brochure, newsletter); launched the DiStruc website; and are employing social media to advertise events, disseminate results, and showcase the achievements of the ESRs. We have a strong publication record, which continues to grow, and have presented our work at national and international conferences. We have been very active in outreach, both at local institutions, and as a network, in particular the Squishy Soft Science events, of which the 2016 version won the Best Outreach Prize awarded by the Cost Action MP1305.
Finally, a clear management structure has been set up and the related activities have been divided into two sections: day-to-day management and reporting, both run from the University of Oxford. The Supervisory Board, which is the decision making body, convenes every six months. Career management, finances, training, outreach, dissemination and risk mitigation form standard items on the agenda of these meetings.
The impact of DiStruc has been manifold and has lead to the exploitation of knowledge, to industrial exploitation, and by further valorisation of DiStruc into new projects
Throughout the project the students have shared their knowledge, locally with their colleagues and peers, network wide, and internationally. Network wide activities included the progress meetings. Besides their novel research they also shared scientific insights through a series of master classes, following the “learning by teaching” approach. To date, 12 papers have been published in internationally recognized journals, with more to come. Furthermore, 2 students have successfully defended their PhD’s and have found jobs in industry and academia, with more students currently working on their dissertation.
Industry has directly benefited from DiStruc, which indirectly and directly will have socio-economic implications:
Understanding the mesoscale formation of fibre morphology during fibre spinning conditions will optimize fibre properties.
New insights into the use of natural fibril-like particles will lead to better control of product functionality in terms of rheology and texture, which often defines the perceived product quality of many consumer products.
Understanding of colloidal particle mixtures has led to new carbon fibre spinning systems and processes, which has been patented.
New reference systems will allow accelerated design of shelf-stable products, otherwise prone to sedimentation or creaming instabilities.
This highlights important potential applications of colloidal liquid crystals, and DiStruc’s contributions to the manufacturing of high-performance fibres and in fast moving consumer goods, such as foods and home and personal care.
Finally, DiStruc has led to new collaborations within the network, and outside the network, both in academia and in industry, which will continue to have an impact on European research and technology.
Throughout the project the students have shared their knowledge, locally with their colleagues and peers, network wide, and internationally. Network wide activities included the progress meetings. Besides their novel research they also shared scientific insights through a series of master classes, following the “learning by teaching” approach. To date, 12 papers have been published in internationally recognized journals, with more to come. Furthermore, 2 students have successfully defended their PhD’s and have found jobs in industry and academia, with more students currently working on their dissertation.
Industry has directly benefited from DiStruc, which indirectly and directly will have socio-economic implications:
Understanding the mesoscale formation of fibre morphology during fibre spinning conditions will optimize fibre properties.
New insights into the use of natural fibril-like particles will lead to better control of product functionality in terms of rheology and texture, which often defines the perceived product quality of many consumer products.
Understanding of colloidal particle mixtures has led to new carbon fibre spinning systems and processes, which has been patented.
New reference systems will allow accelerated design of shelf-stable products, otherwise prone to sedimentation or creaming instabilities.
This highlights important potential applications of colloidal liquid crystals, and DiStruc’s contributions to the manufacturing of high-performance fibres and in fast moving consumer goods, such as foods and home and personal care.
Finally, DiStruc has led to new collaborations within the network, and outside the network, both in academia and in industry, which will continue to have an impact on European research and technology.