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Development of biocompatible ionic electromechanically active polymer actuator/sensor

Project description

Ionic electromechanically active polymers: biomimetic and biocompatible actuator/sensors

The field of soft robotics for industrial robots mimicking biological systems has advanced tremendously. Most still rely on rigid parts for sensing and actuation. Electromechanically active polymers (EAPs) that respond to external electrical stimulation with a change in size or shape are excellent candidates to replace many rigid materials. EAPs have been the subject of decades of research, and tremendous progress has been achieved. However, to enable their application in biotechnology and biomedical engineering, biocompatible EAPs are required. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BIOACT project will address this unmet need. The project will focus on ionic electromechanically active polymers harnessing organic chemistry, electrochemistry, toxicology and computational simulations.

Objective

Bioinspired devices and soft robotics are of great interest in nowadays science and technology. Technological development towards biomimetic systems requires replacement of traditional actuators. Most of the industrial robots consist of joined rigid parts, but in nature biological structures are flexible and generate motion without motors and other rigid mechanical constituents. Electromechanically active polymers (EAPs) are potential materials for preparation of biomimetic devices. These stimuli responsive materials have been in the focus of intense research already for decades and have gone through significant development during this time in terms of work output and operation voltage. However, proposed applications for EAPs in biotechnology and biomedical engineering require biocompatible materials. Preparation of EAP actuators/sensors from entirely biocompatible materials is still remained an unattained challenge and will be the aim of the current project. Developed materials have high commercialization potential and influence to our everyday life due to applications in medical devices and consumers electronics (smart prosthesis, soft haptic devices, wearable electronics). Therefore the project is in accordance with European Research Area and Innovation Union Flagship Initiative principles to get more innovation out of the research. Successful accomplishment of the project goals enhance the experienced researcher's career prospects by complementing her experiences in organic chemistry with new knowledge in electrochemisty, toxicology and computational simulations.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

TARTU ULIKOOL
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 148 582,80
Address
ULIKOOLI 18
51005 TARTU
Estonia

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Region
Eesti Eesti Lõuna-Eesti
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 148 582,80
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