Objective
Research objectives and content
Because of new rigorous environmental requirements, there is a need for water-based rheology modifiers like amphiphilic (or associating) polymers. Such additives are thickeners or gelifiers for complex formulations (pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paint,...). A fine tune of the properties upon variation of external control parameters is now sought in the latter systems. Thermoresponsive or pH-responsive polymers already exist. Less attention has however been paid to light-responsive liquids. The purpose of this project is to synthesise and study sets of light-responsive macromolecules that can form reversible crosslinks by self-association or by association with proteins. This will be achieved by modification of poly(acrylic acic) precursors with hydrophobic pendant groups and with light-responsive groups. The rheology of water solutions of these polymers will be investigated to characterise their associating properties and sol/gel transitions. Upon irradiation (UV-visible), light-responsive groups undergo reversible conformation transitions at the molecular level what is expected to modify the associating power of the chains and the sol/gel transition. Higher sensitivity to the slight conformational changes ought to be obtained using proteins, that can bind specifically the light-responsive pendant groups.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
This project is for me the opportunity to learn and practice rheology of soft materials. I used to work previously with dilute polymer solutions; gels and semi-dilute media sound quite new to me. Furthermore, I expect to benefit of the contacts with members of European networks, the host institute belong to. Finally, I plan to apply for a permanent position in Spain (what require to have spent at least 2 years abroad) aiming at contributing to develop polymer physical-chemistry in my country. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
The first efforts toward the synthesis of light-sensitive polymers have been supported by Rhone-Poulenc (letter enclosed) within, a one-year project entitled 'responsive polymers'. Although devoted to academic research, I expect my work being of interest for applications of polymer thickeners. Naturally, the host institute will remain in close contact with Rhone-Poulenc.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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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.
Topic(s)
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.
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.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
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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.
Coordinator
75231 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.