PRIME contributions leave a notable scientific and technological impact, with potential implications across scientific and industrial sectors. This summary highlights some of our achievements and outlines future directions.
- Advanced smart materials and their processing: A set of smart responsive materials have been successfully prepared showing large mechanical photoresponse, previously unreported in 4D printing of LCEs, and comparable to LCE materials processed by conventional non-digital methods. Remarkably, PRIME has led to the development of thermoplastic liquid crystal soft actuators. This new class of smart materials demonstrates both temperature and light-driven deformations and afforded sustainable soft actuators exhibiting melt-processable and recyclable functionalities compatible with large-scale industrial processing methods. It is envisioned that these thermoplastic materials will serve as a starting point for industrially-relevant smart materials that are applicable in our society for a myriad of applications including deployable soft actuating and microfluidic devices.
- Modelling and simulation of active matter: The modelling and simulation tools set up within PRIME have allowed us to push the envelope on LCE shape programmable design techniques, simulation approaches, and even underlying theoretical questions. We have developed a robust simulation framework for active, shape-programmed LCE mechanics that led to optimal design parameters for both the conical and hybrid type valves and can be employed in the future similarly to improve and optimize the designs of many other classes of LCE shape shifting devices.
- Photoactive valve technology: One major project accomplishment has been the successful development of a functional microfluidic valve actuated by light. This valve enables fluid control functions without the need for physical contact, making it suitable for integration into disposable devices, thereby eliminating the need for maintenance or complex cleaning protocols. Within the project, we have successfully developed and validated light-actuated valves, thereby expanding the scope of potential applications. As a future direction, we aim to further develop these concepts into real products in the framework of a spin-off company we are launching.
- IVD technology: A novel fluidic chip analysis technique has been developed using plasmonic nanoparticles as a transduction system. These nanoparticles and supports have been functionalized with capture and developer antibodies for the development of a thermal immunosensor. A thermochromic material has been used as a readout system. This immunoassay works in such a way that in the presence of the analyte to be detected, a sandwich is formed, and the particle is retained on the support. After irradiation with laser light in the NIR, these particles generate heat that is transmitted through the chip and provides a colour signal on the thermal paper. Using this technology, it has been possible to detect the tumour marker CEA.
- New horizons in OoC: The achievement of an integrated valve and organ-on-chip system on the same platform has been a promising first step in obtaining complex but easy-to-use systems. Automation in liquid handling in organ-on-chip represents a decrease in human error, which is a step forward in the widespread use of technology for more complex systems. As an additional tangible result, a new generation of barrier-free OoC devices has been developed during the project, leading to a new commercial product.
- A small consortium with significant impact: Out of a consortium of only 6 partners, the PRIME project partners have seized numerous opportunities to disseminate our results. The PRIME team published 18 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals. Over the course of the project, consortium members gave 28 conference presentations, either oral presentations or posters, as well as presented the project at 17 public Science events, ending with our own final dissemination event. We took advantage of webinars, created videos and graphics, and engaged on social media to communicate the project consistently throughout its lifetime – and our materials will be available well after the end of the project. Protection of the intellectual property of the identified exploitable results has been undertaken and paths of exploitation have been explored for each of them in a continuous fashion along the project duration. An efficient management, has facilitated a smooth running of project activities ensuring timely achievement of objectives and deliverables.
