Cel Self-propelling colloidal particles, originally designed to mimic living microorganims, offer exciting opportunities to engineer smart materials equipped with activity. To date, the behavior of synthetic microswimmers has been extensively studied in homogeneous environments, close to confinements and in semi-dilute suspensions. However, for materials’ design, the use of solid-like phases, such as crystals and glasses, is highly desirable. While recent numerical simulations have invested a lot of effort in understanding the structural and mechanical properties of dense colloidal materials with activity, experiments significantly lag behind. One difficulty stems, for instance, from the presence of short-range attractive forces that affect the active motion when two of more microswimmers come near contact. In this project, we will investigate the mechanical properties of dense monolayers made partly or entirely of self-propelling colloids using microrheology. We will assemble colloidal monolayers at a flat oil/water interface, where long-ranged repulsive forces will lead to the formation of crystals and glasses with loosely-packed configurations, i.e. with particles that are far from contact. We will mix passive Brownian particles with a controlled amount of active platinum coated particles that self-propel due to a catalytic reaction with hydrogen peroxide dispersed in water. We will elucidate the intimate relation between structure, activity and mechanical properties of dense active suspensions using microrheology experiments, in which we will analyse the fluctuations of a probe driven through the active material by means of an optical tweezing. Our results will shed new light on the unexplored physics of active crystals and glasses and provide a protocol to quantify their mechanical properties. While the proposal research is primarily fundamental in nature, our findings will serve as benchmarks for the design of novel active materials and devices. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyphycologynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesphysical sciencescondensed matter physicssoft matter physicsengineering and technologymaterials engineering Słowa kluczowe Colloids active microrheology self-propelled particles microswimmers colloidal crystals colloidal glasses optical tweezer Program(-y) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Temat(-y) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Zaproszenie do składania wniosków H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Koordynator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Wkład UE netto € 183 454,80 Adres WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford Zjednoczone Królestwo Zobacz na mapie Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 183 454,80
