Periodic Reporting for period 1 - STORM-BOTS (Soft and Tangible Organic Responsive Materials progressing roBOTic functionS)
Période du rapport: 2021-01-01 au 2023-01-31
Soft responsive materials and new fabrication schemes are key ingredients to developing new disruptive technologies for robotic elements and devices, which are anticipated to revolutionize the field of minimally invasive surgery, targeted drug delivery, material sampling and manipulation, responsive functional surfaces and human-machine interfaces. The use of soft responsive, instead of hard inert, matter in these areas provides unique features such as the material being able to sense the environment and autonomously perform complex tasks: the material is the machine. In this scenario, liquid crystal elastomers are receiving an increasing deal of attention as they exhibit large, programmable mechanical deformations in response to different stimuli. Europe has played a leading role in liquid crystal science since its birth. To be at the forefront also tomorrow, we aim at harnessing the full potential of liquid-crystal-based responsive surfaces, soft actuators and smart machines.
Encompassing aspects from chemistry, physics, materials science, advanced manufacturing and robotics, this MSC Action, Soft and Tangible Organic Responsive Materials progressing roBOTic functions (STORM-BOTS), is training 13 science-educated and engineering-minded young pioneers to advance the state-of-the-art of this exciting research field. STORM-BOTS counts on academic and non-academic leaders from top research institutions with unique scientific and technical expertise, in order to provide the next generation of scientists and engineers with the best possible research environment for developing new materials and manufacturing tools to enable advanced robotic functions. STORM-BOTS is providing early-stage researchers (ESRs) with a transnational, comprehensive, highly integrated, multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral training programme. Through local and network-wide training activities, the fellows are learning the many faces of this cutting-edge research area, as well as a variety of relevant transferable skills needed for their future careers.
The main scientific goal of the STORM-BOTS project is the development of an advanced and versatile technology platform, relying on liquid-crystal materials responsive to different stimuli, advanced manufacturing tools as well as theory and modelling, to progress towards robotic functions. The research programme to accomplish this objective is implemented through 13 ESRs and will lead to the creation of soft responsive components and surfaces contributing to further developing robotics and haptics. Moreover, the ultimate goal of STORM-BOTS is to provide a new generation of highly-skilled scientists with solid multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral and international training in the field of Liquid Crystal-based actuators and robotic systems.
Encompassing aspects from chemistry, physics, materials science, advanced manufacturing and robotics, this MSC Action, Soft and Tangible Organic Responsive Materials progressing roBOTic functions (STORM-BOTS), is training 13 science-educated and engineering-minded young pioneers to advance the state-of-the-art of this exciting research field. STORM-BOTS counts on academic and non-academic leaders from top research institutions with unique scientific and technical expertise, in order to provide the next generation of scientists and engineers with the best possible research environment for developing new materials and manufacturing tools to enable advanced robotic functions. STORM-BOTS is providing early-stage researchers (ESRs) with a transnational, comprehensive, highly integrated, multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral training programme. Through local and network-wide training activities, the fellows are learning the many faces of this cutting-edge research area, as well as a variety of relevant transferable skills needed for their future careers.
The main scientific goal of the STORM-BOTS project is the development of an advanced and versatile technology platform, relying on liquid-crystal materials responsive to different stimuli, advanced manufacturing tools as well as theory and modelling, to progress towards robotic functions. The research programme to accomplish this objective is implemented through 13 ESRs and will lead to the creation of soft responsive components and surfaces contributing to further developing robotics and haptics. Moreover, the ultimate goal of STORM-BOTS is to provide a new generation of highly-skilled scientists with solid multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral and international training in the field of Liquid Crystal-based actuators and robotic systems.
STORM-BOTS has successfully completed all the training and research objectives devised for the 1st reporting period (from January 2021 to January 2023). All the milestones set for this period have been accomplished and the deliverables duly submitted.
In this period, several meetings and Network-wide events have been organised such as the Kick-off meeting in Feb 2021 and two symposia (CSIC, Feb 2022 and UCam, Sept 200) among others. These meetings have served to ensure the optimal management of the consortium and running of the project and to train ESRs in advanced scientific knowledge and soft skills.
The 13 ESRs were recruited by November 2021, following provisions of the Grant Agreement and the guidelines of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. ESRs have enrolled in the local PhD programmes and are being supervised and trained by their supervisors at the host institution and secondment supervisors. ESRs have received training in advanced scientific skills and transferable and soft skills. Other training activities include the Virtual Journal Club and the Voucher scheme for Experimental Design and Data Analysis. ESRs have also received local training and participated in local courses, and they have started their secondments which will allow them to get experience from different disciplines and sectors to those of their main research project. They regularly assess their Personal Career Development Plan and progress with regular meetings with their supervisors and ESR Supervisory Team.
Results and activities are disseminated using different channels: website, social media, newsletter, etc. The first scientific articles from the project have been published and ESRs are participating in conferences and seminars. STORM-BOTS is reaching different public targets with activities such as the European Researchers’ Night 2022, open lab days and media appearances. Proper acknowledgement of funding has been done by using the EU emblem and including the information on funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 95659.
The scientific objectives are being accomplished with the following advances: (i) development of liquid-crystal materials and advanced manufacturing tools, (ii) generation of a theoretical framework and computational tools to better understand liquid crystal elastomers actuation, (iii) novel concepts and designs for advanced robotic functions of liquid crystals.
In this period, several meetings and Network-wide events have been organised such as the Kick-off meeting in Feb 2021 and two symposia (CSIC, Feb 2022 and UCam, Sept 200) among others. These meetings have served to ensure the optimal management of the consortium and running of the project and to train ESRs in advanced scientific knowledge and soft skills.
The 13 ESRs were recruited by November 2021, following provisions of the Grant Agreement and the guidelines of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. ESRs have enrolled in the local PhD programmes and are being supervised and trained by their supervisors at the host institution and secondment supervisors. ESRs have received training in advanced scientific skills and transferable and soft skills. Other training activities include the Virtual Journal Club and the Voucher scheme for Experimental Design and Data Analysis. ESRs have also received local training and participated in local courses, and they have started their secondments which will allow them to get experience from different disciplines and sectors to those of their main research project. They regularly assess their Personal Career Development Plan and progress with regular meetings with their supervisors and ESR Supervisory Team.
Results and activities are disseminated using different channels: website, social media, newsletter, etc. The first scientific articles from the project have been published and ESRs are participating in conferences and seminars. STORM-BOTS is reaching different public targets with activities such as the European Researchers’ Night 2022, open lab days and media appearances. Proper acknowledgement of funding has been done by using the EU emblem and including the information on funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 95659.
The scientific objectives are being accomplished with the following advances: (i) development of liquid-crystal materials and advanced manufacturing tools, (ii) generation of a theoretical framework and computational tools to better understand liquid crystal elastomers actuation, (iii) novel concepts and designs for advanced robotic functions of liquid crystals.
The STORM-BOTS network-wide scientific and technical activities, combined with supplementary local courses, are already providing the ESRs with unique cross-field training. Moreover, training on transferable skills will have a transversal and immediate impact on the ESRs' careers, helping them succeed in the academic or non-academic sectors. The ESRs will be in a privileged position to meet the important demand of highly qualified professionals in the field of smart responsive materials and devices. STORM-BOTS encompasses essential Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) such as advanced materials, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing tools, qualifying them as the selected pool of skilled technologists that Europe needs to be at the front of advanced and sustainable world economies, integrating state-of-the-art technologies into products and manufacturing industries. Expectations are high both for soft robotics and advanced materials and manufacturing technologies such as 4D printing. Europe, where the first LCPs were invented, has played a leading role in LC science and technology. Taking advantage of this privileged position in the field of LCs, we are progressing towards new advances in soft robotics.
STORM-BOTS's consortium pursues the exploitation of results whenever possible, with a commitment to ensuring fast decisions on IP protection so that valuable project results can be effectively disseminated. STORM-BOTS is committed to the policies of Open Science and will act accordingly, with the belief that this will allow reaching more people and having a greater impact. As already done during the first part of the project, the scientific results obtained during the project’s life will be published in relevant scientific journals and will also be presented at scientific conferences. Furthermore, STORM-BOTS communications channels and outreach activities will continue to play an important role in bringing closer to the general public the latest advances and applications of advanced materials and soft robotics.
STORM-BOTS's consortium pursues the exploitation of results whenever possible, with a commitment to ensuring fast decisions on IP protection so that valuable project results can be effectively disseminated. STORM-BOTS is committed to the policies of Open Science and will act accordingly, with the belief that this will allow reaching more people and having a greater impact. As already done during the first part of the project, the scientific results obtained during the project’s life will be published in relevant scientific journals and will also be presented at scientific conferences. Furthermore, STORM-BOTS communications channels and outreach activities will continue to play an important role in bringing closer to the general public the latest advances and applications of advanced materials and soft robotics.