Periodic Reporting for period 5 - ChemLife (Artificial micro-vehicles with life-like behaviour)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-10-01 bis 2025-06-30
The aim of the ChemLife project was the development of micro-vehicles which possess behaviour such as movement, transport, sensing and signalling-reporting. This main aim was achieved through three complementary objectives; 1) Understand the principles of self-directed or externally controlled movement in biomimetic micro-vehicles; 2) to harnessing the power of these vehicles to perform advanced biomimetic functions at specific locations such as; triggered release of molecular cargo, fusion of vehicles, localised reactions, remote signalling, sensing and reporting, diagnosis and repair; and 3) to integrate these functionalities into fluidic systems.
During this project, the Chemlife team developed a series of micro-vehicles, polymeric structures and droplets, that are capable of movement and actuation on demand, together with other functionalities such as triggered release of molecular cargo, fusion of vehicles, localised reactions, remote signalling, sensing and reporting, diagnosis and repair. Such functionalities have been explored individually, or in combination, and are the subject of many publications that have resulted from the ERC project (ACS Nano (2020) 14, 8, 9832–9839; Adv. Funct. Mater. 33.39 (2023): 2213947; J. Mater. Chem. C 9 (35), 11674-11678; Small (2024) 20(20), 2306802; Small 20.30 (2024): 2310058; Adv. Mater. (2025): 2504116; Appl. Mater. Interfaces (2025) 17, 37043−37052; Adv. Mater. Technologies (2025): e01075).
During this project, the Chemlife team developed a series of micro-vehicles, polymeric structures and droplets, that are capable of movement and actuation on demand, together with other functionalities such as triggered release of molecular cargo, fusion of vehicles, localised reactions, remote signalling, sensing and reporting, diagnosis and repair. Such functionalities have been explored individually, or in combination, and are the subject of many publications that have resulted from the ERC project (ACS Nano (2020) 14, 8, 9832–9839; Adv. Funct. Mater. 33.39 (2023): 2213947; J. Mater. Chem. C 9 (35), 11674-11678; Small (2024) 20(20), 2306802; Small 20.30 (2024): 2310058; Adv. Mater. (2025): 2504116; Appl. Mater. Interfaces (2025) 17, 37043−37052; Adv. Mater. Technologies (2025): e01075).
The Chemlife research has opened up new avenues in responsive micro-systems, as the principles described herein can be applied to a wide range of polymer formulations (including stimuli-responsive hydrogels) and structural designs. Additionally we have demonstrated a suite of novel examples of smart droplets (micro-vehicles) which achieve autonomous and/or externally controlled movement through the use of stimuli-responsive molecules to “fuel” actuation.
Highlighted results and their exploitation and dissemination:
1. Two-Photon Polymerization of Sugar Responsive 4D Microstructures, A. Ennis, D. Nicdao, S. Kolagatla, L. Dowling, Y. Tskhe, A.J. Thompson, D. Trimble, C. Delaney, L. Florea, Advanced Functional Materials, 2023, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202213947.
This work represents the first example of sugar-responsive micro-structures fabricated by two-photon polymerisation (2PP). This offers a remarkable solution for achieving fast response hydrogel systems that have been often hindered by the volume-dependent diffusion times of analytes to receptor sites. Moreover, microstructures with programmable actuation (i.e. bending and opening) are fabricated, showcasing the flexibility of 2PP for sophisticated and chemo-responsive 3D hydrogel actuators.
2. Direct Laser Writing of Four-Dimensional Structural Color Microactuators Using a Photonic Photoresist, M. Del Pozo, C. Delaney, C. Bastiaansen, D. Diamond, A. PHJ Schenning, L. Florea, ACS Nano 2020, 14 (8), 9832.
In this publication, the ability to nanostructure cholesteric liquid crystals, while maintaining molecular alignment was demonstrated. This is a watershed case for high-resolution structuring of functional soft polymers.
3. Microstructures for Stimuli Responsive Labels with Multi‐Level Encryption, S. Donato, S. Nocentini, D. Martella, S. Kolagatla, D. S. Wiersma, C. Parmeggiani, C. Delaney, L. Florea*, Small 2024, 20 (20), 2306802.
In this study, the fabrication of free-standing microstructures based on liquid crystalline networks was demonstrated as graphical units of a smart tag for simple physical and optical encryption. Using an array of identical pixels, information was hidden from the observer and revealed only upon application of a specific stimulus. The reading mechanism developed is based on the shape-change of each pixel under stimuli and their colour, that combine together in a two-level encryption label. Once the stimulus was removed, the pixels recovered their original shape and the message remained completely hidden. In essence, this represents an opto-mechanical equivalent of an “invisible ink”. This new concept paves the way for introducing enhanced functionalities in smart micro-systems within a single lithography step, spanning from storage devices with physical encryption to complex motion actuators.
4. Co-organisation of MRS workshop entitled Novel Frontiers in 3D and 4D Multi-Photon Micro-Fabrication Materials, Methods and Applications (May 2022, MRS 2022 Honolulu, Hawaii). This workshop brought together experts in the field. Chemlife achievements were highlighted, through various presentations by the PI and the Chemlife team.
Highlighted results and their exploitation and dissemination:
1. Two-Photon Polymerization of Sugar Responsive 4D Microstructures, A. Ennis, D. Nicdao, S. Kolagatla, L. Dowling, Y. Tskhe, A.J. Thompson, D. Trimble, C. Delaney, L. Florea, Advanced Functional Materials, 2023, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202213947.
This work represents the first example of sugar-responsive micro-structures fabricated by two-photon polymerisation (2PP). This offers a remarkable solution for achieving fast response hydrogel systems that have been often hindered by the volume-dependent diffusion times of analytes to receptor sites. Moreover, microstructures with programmable actuation (i.e. bending and opening) are fabricated, showcasing the flexibility of 2PP for sophisticated and chemo-responsive 3D hydrogel actuators.
2. Direct Laser Writing of Four-Dimensional Structural Color Microactuators Using a Photonic Photoresist, M. Del Pozo, C. Delaney, C. Bastiaansen, D. Diamond, A. PHJ Schenning, L. Florea, ACS Nano 2020, 14 (8), 9832.
In this publication, the ability to nanostructure cholesteric liquid crystals, while maintaining molecular alignment was demonstrated. This is a watershed case for high-resolution structuring of functional soft polymers.
3. Microstructures for Stimuli Responsive Labels with Multi‐Level Encryption, S. Donato, S. Nocentini, D. Martella, S. Kolagatla, D. S. Wiersma, C. Parmeggiani, C. Delaney, L. Florea*, Small 2024, 20 (20), 2306802.
In this study, the fabrication of free-standing microstructures based on liquid crystalline networks was demonstrated as graphical units of a smart tag for simple physical and optical encryption. Using an array of identical pixels, information was hidden from the observer and revealed only upon application of a specific stimulus. The reading mechanism developed is based on the shape-change of each pixel under stimuli and their colour, that combine together in a two-level encryption label. Once the stimulus was removed, the pixels recovered their original shape and the message remained completely hidden. In essence, this represents an opto-mechanical equivalent of an “invisible ink”. This new concept paves the way for introducing enhanced functionalities in smart micro-systems within a single lithography step, spanning from storage devices with physical encryption to complex motion actuators.
4. Co-organisation of MRS workshop entitled Novel Frontiers in 3D and 4D Multi-Photon Micro-Fabrication Materials, Methods and Applications (May 2022, MRS 2022 Honolulu, Hawaii). This workshop brought together experts in the field. Chemlife achievements were highlighted, through various presentations by the PI and the Chemlife team.
Research highlights:
1) New directions for soft robotics
Through the Chemlife research, it has been possible to tackle some of the grand challenges in materials research, by showing that intelligent chemistry, smart design, and precise engineering can give enhanced capabilities to soft materials. This allows for functions such as movement, transport, and sensing to be given to inanimate materials, enabling the creation of autonomous soft robots. The Chemlife research has gained significant interest from the scientific community, recognising the impact of the work (e.g. ChemLife PI recognised in “35 challenges in materials science being tackled by PIs under 35 (ish) in 2024”, Matter, 7(11), 3699-3706; invited talk at EuChemS 2022, Lisbon, Portugal; Keynote presentation at International Conference on Biofabrication 2021 AUSTRALIA; invited Talk at Gordon Research Conference on Robotics 2020, Ventura, USA; Press release in Horizon magazine, Nov 2019: Nanovehicles that mimic nature could deliver treatments of the future.)
2) Direct laser writing of poly(electrolytes) and conductive composites
The Chemlife team has demonstrated that direct laser writing allows for the high-resolution 3D printing of ion conductors, such as poly(ionic liquids) and ionogels, as well as electro-conductors, such as graphene/CNT polymer composites. These 3D printed materials (with ~100 nm resolution) offer a disruptive solution for the development of chemical/gas sensors, and solid state 3D printed catolytes/anolytes by coupling innovative materials with precise, and tuneable 3D architectures. Our innovative work in the area of direct laser writing of responsive systems has been recently recognised with an Intel® Rising Star Faculty Award (RSA). Each year, the RSA program selects 15 early-career academic researchers from across the world who are doing exceptional work and are leading the advancements in technology research that demonstrate the potential to disrupt the industry. The ChemLife PI, Prof. Florea, was the only European awardee for of the RSA in 2023.
3) 3D micro-fabrication of hierarchical structures
This includes liquid crystal elastomers with planar (Small (2024), 20(20), 2306802) and cholesteric alignment (ACS Nano (2020) 14, 8, 9832–9839) showcasing precise structural organisation from molecular to nano to micro-scale.
The ChemLife ERC grant has allowed these advances to be made by the ChemLife team, and in collaboration with other groups (nationally and internationally), and has greatly enhanced our understanding of self-directed or externally controlled movement in biomimetic micro-vehicles, our understanding of impact of nano and sub-micron structuring of responsive polymers and our recognition in the field.
1) New directions for soft robotics
Through the Chemlife research, it has been possible to tackle some of the grand challenges in materials research, by showing that intelligent chemistry, smart design, and precise engineering can give enhanced capabilities to soft materials. This allows for functions such as movement, transport, and sensing to be given to inanimate materials, enabling the creation of autonomous soft robots. The Chemlife research has gained significant interest from the scientific community, recognising the impact of the work (e.g. ChemLife PI recognised in “35 challenges in materials science being tackled by PIs under 35 (ish) in 2024”, Matter, 7(11), 3699-3706; invited talk at EuChemS 2022, Lisbon, Portugal; Keynote presentation at International Conference on Biofabrication 2021 AUSTRALIA; invited Talk at Gordon Research Conference on Robotics 2020, Ventura, USA; Press release in Horizon magazine, Nov 2019: Nanovehicles that mimic nature could deliver treatments of the future.)
2) Direct laser writing of poly(electrolytes) and conductive composites
The Chemlife team has demonstrated that direct laser writing allows for the high-resolution 3D printing of ion conductors, such as poly(ionic liquids) and ionogels, as well as electro-conductors, such as graphene/CNT polymer composites. These 3D printed materials (with ~100 nm resolution) offer a disruptive solution for the development of chemical/gas sensors, and solid state 3D printed catolytes/anolytes by coupling innovative materials with precise, and tuneable 3D architectures. Our innovative work in the area of direct laser writing of responsive systems has been recently recognised with an Intel® Rising Star Faculty Award (RSA). Each year, the RSA program selects 15 early-career academic researchers from across the world who are doing exceptional work and are leading the advancements in technology research that demonstrate the potential to disrupt the industry. The ChemLife PI, Prof. Florea, was the only European awardee for of the RSA in 2023.
3) 3D micro-fabrication of hierarchical structures
This includes liquid crystal elastomers with planar (Small (2024), 20(20), 2306802) and cholesteric alignment (ACS Nano (2020) 14, 8, 9832–9839) showcasing precise structural organisation from molecular to nano to micro-scale.
The ChemLife ERC grant has allowed these advances to be made by the ChemLife team, and in collaboration with other groups (nationally and internationally), and has greatly enhanced our understanding of self-directed or externally controlled movement in biomimetic micro-vehicles, our understanding of impact of nano and sub-micron structuring of responsive polymers and our recognition in the field.