Project description
Mimicking nature in processing materials
The threads produced by velvet worms, the beak of a squid and spider silk have remarkable properties. It was not until recently that biologists realised that all these natural materials have one thing in common: they start out as coacervate (i.e. organic-rich droplets formed via liquid-liquid phase separation), which play an important role in the thread formation. Building on the success of earlier research that led to the development of bio-inspired synthetic coacervates, researchers in the EU-funded CoaExMatter project will develop unique material systems by extruding synthetic coacervates. This bio-inspired processing of coacervate extrusion will lead to the development of novel materials and high-performance fibres, rods or scaffolds for use in additive manufacturing.
Objective
The threads produced by velvet worms are remarkably sticky and stiff; the beak of a jumbo squid is extremely hard; and spider silk is incredibly tough. The extraordinary material properties found in these natural systems have been of interest to researchers for a long time. However, only recently, biologists discovered that a crucial element in the processing of many of these materials are coacervates, which are concentrated macromolecular phases that form upon liquid liquid phase separation from the initial solution. An understanding is emerging that the liquid coacervate phases enable extrusion of the material and allow for conformational changes within the material before solidification. Thus, the coacervate nature is crucial for obtaining extraordinary property profiles in these natural materials.
Here I propose to mimic this environmentally benign processing of coacervate extrusion for the development of completely new synthetic materials. Previous work in my group has led to the development of bio-inspired synthetic coacervates with well-controlled architecture and composition, and of various tools to study their mechanics. Here, I will take advantage of this expertise to develop unique material systems by extruding synthetic coacervates and by using the induced mechanical stress to obtain alignment and conformational changes.
Analogous to the wide variety of materials found in natural systems that commence as a coacervate, this processing principle may be applicable to a wide variety of synthetic material classes. In this research program coacervate extrusion will be used to produce fibers, rods or scaffolds composed of: polyelectrolyte complexes, liquid-crystal elastomers, peptide-polymers, protein-polymers and nanocomposites.
This bio-inspired processing principle of coacervate extrusion will lead to materials with unexplored property profiles and holds great promise for the development of novel high performance materials obtained by green processing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-COG
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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.
9712CP Groningen
Netherlands
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