Project description
An improved artificial skin based on the flexoelectric effect
Mimicking the skin’s structural and functional response requires structurally compliant materials and signal transduction capability. Piezoelectric materials that generate an electric signal in response to applied mechanical stress have been widely used. The flexoelectric effect is similar to the piezoelectric effect. However, while piezoelectricity is a polarisation due to uniform strain, flexoelectricity is polarisation due to strain that changes from point to point in the material – a strain gradient. The strain gradient-induced polarisation enables use of lead-free and biocompatible materials and fine-tuning of behaviour at all size scales. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the FlexSen project will design an artificial electronic skin based on the flexoelectric effect.
Objective
Soft electronic devices are indispensable for the development of artificial skin due to their high stretchability and sensing functionality. Conventionally, to mimic touch and temperature sensing of mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors, compliant structural design accompanied with signal transduction mechanism such as piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, pyroelectric sensing have been utilized so far. The design of these pressure sensors requires highly flexible and robust electrical properties of materials as active and supporting components. In addition, strategically engineered micro-structure is employed to enhance the sensing performance. In this spirit, flexoelectric material, which relates strain-gradient and electrical polarization, emerges as a naturally suitable candidates for flexible pressure sensors. The strain-gradient-induced polarization does not only distinguish flexoelectricity from the commonly used piezoelectricity but also widen the choice of electro-mechanical coupling materials, especially lead-free and bio-compatible materials that are crucial for the development of biomedical devices. Furthermore, flexoelectric effect exhibits size-dependent behavior, particularly at sub-micron- and nano-scale so that proper design of micro-structure can open an opportunity to a new type of pressure sensor. Therefore, this project aims to propose a novel design for electronic skin (e-skin) based on flexoelectric effect. Specifically, a comprehensive virtual design framework including simulation, characterization and experimental testing of flexoelectric-based sensor will be employed to evaluate key parameters such as sensitivity, limit of detection, linearity, response time and power consumption.
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 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electrical engineering piezoelectrics
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
3001 Leuven
Belgium
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.