Field driven materials for functions, dissipation, and mimicking Pavlovian adaptation

Project Information

DRIVEN

Grant agreement ID: 742829

DOI

10.3030/742829

Project closed

EC signature date 11 May 2017

Start date 1 October 2017

End date 30 September 2022

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 2 499 999,00

EU contribution

€ 2 499 999,00

Coordinated by

AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - DRIVEN (Field driven materials for functions, dissipation, and mimicking Pavlovian adaptation)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2022-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Already long, stimulus responsive and shape memory materials have had extensive importance in science and technology. Their properties do not develop or evolve according to the exposed stimuli. This contrasts living materials that can adapt and learn new behaviours and responses. Among the simplest biological learning protocols are classical conditioning, habituation, and sensitization. Here we showed concepts for synthetic material compositions that algorithmically obey responses inspired by classical conditioning. We also showed soft ferromagnetic particle assemblies how to achieve functions inspired by sensitization and habituation. Homeostatic feedback controlled dynamic systems were achieved using two coupled hydrogels, upon driving by laser light, also showing dynamic dissipative stimulus mechanoresponsiveness. Altogether we show steps how concepts of living matter can provide new functionalities for the next generation interactive materials foreseen, e.g. in soft robotics.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We developed two concepts for synthetic material compositions that algorithmically obey responses mimicking classical conditioning. These findings were published in Nature Communications 2019, Matter 2019, and Advanced Materials 2020. Further, we achieved functions inspired by sensitization and habituation by developing soft ferromagnetic particle assemblies, published in Science Advances 2022. In our recently published article in Nature Nanotechnology 2022, we reported homeostatic feedback-controlled dynamic systems using two coupled hydrogels, upon driving by laser light. We also demonstrated dissipative voltage-controlled magnetism using magnetic nanoparticles in an organic solvent, facilitated by surfactant-based charge control agents, published in Science Advances 2021. The project results were also disseminated in over 30 scientific meetings and conferences. In addition to scientific publications and communities, the project outputs have been disseminated to the public via media coverage in over 20 platforms.

Overall, DRIVEN project successfully achieved its goal and 25 articles were published in respected journals including Nature Nanotechnology, Science Advances, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, Matter, and Advanced Functional Materials. In addition, 7 doctoral thesis dissertations have been produced within the DRIVEN project. The work done in DRIVEN has also supported career advancement for young researchers from Ph.D. to postdocs and also to professor positions.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We have demonstrated non-living material systems inspired by classic conditioning, showing qualitatively similar learning efficiencies vs. the mutual timings of the unconditioned and neutral stimuli as in biological conditioning. We have also developed outstanding materials that obey algorithmically biological learning processes.

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