Project description
Smarter, more versatile microfluidic systems
Controlling fluids at a microscopic scale is essential for applications, including energy harvesting and desalination, yet current microfluidic devices are limited by their rigid designs. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the IonFlowElast project should help advance microfluidics by using liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) – materials that can change shape when stimulated to create dynamic, responsive systems. By incorporating LCEs into channel walls, these devices can adapt their shape to function as pumps or valves. Advanced simulations will explore how these shape changes influence fluid flow and ion transport. This innovative approach is crucial for advancing new bottom-up approaches in nanotechnology and could lead to fully integrated, adaptable microfluidic systems.
Objective
Microfluidic devices consist of microscopic channels designed for precise fluid control. Their small size ensures laminar fluid flow, enabling the controlled transport of dissolved substances with applications in energy harvesting, desalination or even novel computing paradigms. However, the typical rigid network of channels greatly restricts their adaptability, and consequently, there is growing interest in developing time-evolving microfluidic systems, that can function as pumps, valves and mixing units. This requires a deeper understanding of fluid flows in dynamic environments and the development of stimuli-responsive materials for microfluidic walls. A highly promising approach involves the use of Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs), which can change shape when stimulated. By incorporating LCEs into the walls of microfluidic devices, these systems can become responsive. The shape morphing can then be applied in microfluidic pumps and valves, two components required to achieve a fully integrated lab on a chip. I propose to pioneer the use of LCEs in responsive microfluidics and to deepen our understanding of the intricate non-linear dynamics between channel shape and conductivity. I will perform numerical simulations of the capabilities of LCEs in shape morphing microfluidic channels. I will then take the shape morphing channels and use the Lattice Boltzmann Method to simulate the transport of fluid and dissolved ions inside shape morphing channels. This will allow me to understand how to use LCEs in a microfluidic channel that, when stimulated, exhibits peristaltic motion or blocks the fluid flow. The project enables bidirectional knowledge transfer: the host’s expertise in liquid crystals will be instrumental for modeling LCEs, while my expertise in fluid dynamics will contribute to understanding transport in shape-morphing channels. This collaborative effort is crucial for advancing new bottom-up approaches in nanotechnology, aligning with European priorities.
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 physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics microfluidics
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- engineering and technology chemical engineering separation technologies desalination
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
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