Project description
Designing materials that emit light smarter
Some materials, including starch, emit bright light through a process called clusteroluminescence. While exciting, scientists still do not fully understand how to control this effect or design materials that use it effectively. Most studies rely on natural or commercial polymers, leaving custom-designed options unexplored. Practical uses for clusteroluminescence are also in their infancy. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SCLP project will develop new ways to design clusteroluminescence materials by focusing on how their structure affects light emission. Light colour and brightness will be regulated by engineering polymers with tailored cluster sizes and density. Project work could lead to innovations in smart materials, flexible electronics and advanced technologies for imaging and sensing.
Objective
Clusteroluminescence (CL) is a recently discovered phenomenon, in which ‘through space’ interactions in non-conjugated structures, can emit bright light (e.g. starch). Despite growing interest, the field still faces three major limitations: (1) it is unclear how to influence CL through structure–property relationships due to poorly defined spatial organization of CL luminogens within polymer chains and insufficient mechanistic understanding of the effect; (2) there is limited diversity in polymer systems that have been studied, with heavy reliance on natural products and commercial polymers rather than custom-designed architectures in studies to date; and (3) practical applications are, as yet, immature, thus limiting translation of CL into real-world use.
To address these limitations, SCLP will establish the first quantitative structure–property relationship for CL polymers, enabling, for the first time, the rational design of new CL materials. The central objective is to achieve precise control over CL emission by manipulating polymer stereochemistry—specifically, cis/trans configurations—via sustainable thiol-yne click chemistry. This goal will be pursued through three integrated work packages: (1) synthesizing stereocontrolled polymers to unravel the fundamental photophysical mechanisms of CL; (2) engineering well-defined polymer architectures with tailored cluster size and density to regulate emission color and intensity; and (3), developing mechanoresponsive elastomers that exhibit reversible CL changes under mechanical strain for applications in smart materials.
SCLP bridges a fundamental scientific gap transitioning from empirical observation to rational material design. It further supports sustainable innovation by leveraging green synthesis routes and holds significant economic potential through applications in flexible electronics, bioimaging, and sensing technologies, thereby strengthening Europe’s leadership in this emerging field.
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 materials engineering colors
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
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-2025-PF
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.
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom
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.