Photo-Piezo-ActUators based on Light SEnsitive COMposite

Project Information

PULSE-COM

Grant agreement ID: 863227

DOI

10.3030/863227

Project closed

EC signature date 24 September 2019

Start date 1 December 2019

End date 30 June 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)

Total cost

€ 2 980 015,00

EU contribution

€ 2 980 015,00

Coordinated by

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PULSE-COM (Photo-Piezo-ActUators based on Light SEnsitive COMposite)

Reporting period: 2020-12-01 to 2023-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

According to the European parliament, Research Europe's journey towards technological sovereignty should cover Key Enabling Technology (KET) which includes Advanced Materials. Photo-Piezo-ActUators based on Light SEnsitive COMposite (PULSE-COM) aims at realizing a new type of piezoelectric devices (PZL) controlled by light using photo-mobile films (PMP) whose movement is induced and controlled by sunlight and/or artificial light. Our project specifically aims to create a new class of photoactivable devices that will change the field of optoelectronic and piezoelectric devices by creating innovative devices for a wide range of applications. It explored and enhanced properties of novel, cost-effective photo-mobile polymer (PMP) films combined with modern lead-free piezoelectric (PZL) to produce new composite materials predestined for a wide range of applications never before considered. It is currently presented online (https://www.pulsecom-h2020.eu/).
The main objective of this project was to study, simulate, fabricate and characterize actuators, sensors and harvesters that can be driven by light operating in the UV, VIS and NIR range to realize components and devices with different industrial goals:
• Investigating the relevant materials and design properties
• Identifying radically new solutions and strategies to couple in the appropriate way the two different layers
• Conceiving, fabricating, and demonstrating an innovative light driven actuator (the PMP-PZL device)
• Integrating in opto-electronic systems for advanced industrial implementation: POC
We developed PMP and PMP/PZL to be employed in the different POC applications as stated at the beginning of the project. PMP was modified to be implemented in photo switch and photo valve applications adding contact layers or encapsulation layers to optimize the systems. PMP was also implemented by micro/nanostructuring to modify the optical path changing the mechanical properties of the materials for the waveselector prototype. Several PMP/PZL configurations were studied to optimize the PZL electrical signal to demonstrate solar harvesting systems feasibility.

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

The PULSE-COM project has resulted in several proof-of-concepts manufactured to try to bring new functionalities:
Meso-scale machines Systems - The foreseen applications of PMP use their bending properties driven by light to construct specific mechatronic devices and prototypes fully developed. This includes optical switch components, light driven valves, and optical deflectors developed by Cedrat Technologies.
Photoenergy Harvesting Systems: To take advantage of light energy harvesting based on PMP-PZL devices, a dedicated generator topology has been proposed. This is a completely new paradigm and the most challenging with respect to the state of the art. We used an easy and effective approach to enhance the quantum yield of azobenzene and to extend its wavelength sensitivity by doping the PMP matrix with different selected materials: carbon black (CB), zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver nanoparticles of suitable shape. These doped PMP films showed faster and more significant bending under both UV as well as visible and near infrared light regardless of whether it was coherent, incoherent, polarized and unpolarized irradiation.
Reconfigurable Optics Systems: Reconfigurable optics would be used to accomplish completely new tunable and switchable functionalities by means of optical control. Design and manufacturing (by SITEX 45 and INFLPR) of waveselector and spectrometer portable prototypes based on PMP-PZL films with 2D-Photonic Crystals integration for the selection of the desired wavelength have been implemented into reconfigurable optical networks.
The use of photo-polymers in several investigated applications of the project opens the possibility to use such technology in multiple applications related to optoelectronic and sensor fields. This will modify what is now used considering that it will be possible to use light instead of electrical signal to actuate. This kind of approach can address several opportunities for industrial applications which have already been appreciated by both the industrial partners of PULSE-COM and venture capitalists (EUREKA! venture sgr) who already invested in a proof-of-concept project (ALICE- Actuators based on LIght sensitive CompositE). The main aim of such project is to transfer the same technology towards the realization of other prototypes which can go from proof-of-concept devices to early-stage deals, and the possibility to start a spin off (2.5 M€).
Different patents have been also produced in the frame of the project namely “Photo-Piezoelectric Energy Generator of Electrical Energy from Light Energy” by M Haras et Al. International Patent Application n. EP21461595.7 (2021), European patent application no. EP 4 152 589 published on 22nd March 2023; “The portable high integration degree spectrometer/waveselector for spectral analysis in optical networks” protected by Romania IPR rules, registered under n° A 2023 00925 (2023).

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)

The PULSE-COM project had been the occasion to better understand and then to enhance the photomobile polymer (PMP), the piezo-electric layer (PZL) and the combination of the two to finally reach proof of concept.
Firstly, PMP was successfully optimized based on liquid crystal materials with the incorporation of zinc oxide, silver, and carbon black nanoparticles. It led to the surpassing of initial KPIs. These materials exhibited improved bending capabilities and wavelength sensitivity realizing a general-purpose device to be employed in different fields with different light sources.Then the consortium studied ways to efficiently couple PMPs to PZL layer. Models on PZL have been conducted to enhance the design and the architecture of this device. It has resulted in a better understanding on the deposition of ZnO seed layers on large area and on flexible substrates and different ways to combine PMP and PZL.
The project indirectly affected capabilities to manufacture devices employing developed solutions (actuators, harvesters, etc.) going beyond standard procedures. It opened new avenues for sensor and actuator applications which is going to attract SMEs and academia. To maximise the impact and the benefits of such new perspectives, several dissemination activities ensured the widespread impact of the project. The outcomes of the project are proof of concept demonstrators that can be further developed into products by SMEs and/or big industries
Socio economic advantages starts from the use of this technology and the exploitation of published patent that can be very useful in advancing telecommunication area and in sunlight energy generation. The use of our PMP based systems are linked to different possibilities such as for example the reduction in terms of space and weight (by using light as actuation signal) of the final systems which can advantage different sectors in the actuators up to medical and military/space applications. Nowadays it is very difficult to find alternative solutions to generate enough energy by means of renewable sources and in this project, we demonstrate the possibility to use solar energy also to induce mechanical movement of PMPs.

Operating principle of the PMP-PZL device