Project description
Investigating defect behavior in dense active matter
Defect behaviour in 2D materials holds the key to understanding many natural and technological processes. These points, where the material’s usual order breaks down, are not mere imperfections but actively affect melting (where a solid transitions to a liquid) and structural changes. When energy is continuously supplied in active matter systems, including living cells or synthetic particles, defects exhibit entirely new dynamics that challenge traditional theories. Active hexatic phases, a state of matter existing between solid and liquid phases, are particularly intriguing. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AcTiDeNS project aims to decode the complex defect behaviour in these systems. The proposed research will offer new insights that could transform material design and deepen understanding of collective dynamics in biological tissues.
Objective
Two-dimensional (2D) materials are at the heart of modern science and technology, from advanced electronic devices to biological tissues. In these systems, unusual phases of matter emerge, where the key players are topological defects, singular points where the local order breaks down. Far from being mere imperfections, defects control fundamental processes such as melting and structural transitions. In parallel, active matter, systems of particles that consume energy to move, such as synthetic colloids or living cells, plays as central to the science of complex systems. Active 2D materials can also exhibit topological phases, but continuous energy input drives novel dynamics and defect behaviors that cannot be explained by equilibrium theories. Understanding these behaviors is a pressing challenge, with implications for designing smart defect-engineered materials and for interpreting biological processes such as tissue remodeling.
This project will tackle this challenge by provide a quantitative framework to describe topological defects in active hexatic phases, a poorly understood but widely observed state of matter. Combining advanced simulations, statistical physics, and analytical modelling, it aims at delivering the first quantitative and testable description of defect dynamics in active hexatics, bridging microscopic physics with macroscopic behavior. Beyond advancing fundamental knowledge of non-equilibrium phase transitions, the project will open avenues toward defect-based design of new smart materials and provide fresh tools to understand collective dynamics in biological tissues.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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)
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
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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
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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.
08007 Barcelona
Spain
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.