Project description
Eco-friendly, smart clothing that release heat on demand
Staying warm in cold weather often means relying on bulky layers of clothing or energy-intensive heating systems. But what if clothing could store sunlight and release heat exactly when needed? Molecular solar thermal (MOST) materials make this possible. These materials act like tiny batteries for heat, capturing solar energy during the day and storing it for later use. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MOSTF project will help overcome challenges in MOST material development. Researchers will synthesise azobenzene-based materials that can efficiently capture sunlight and store thermal energy for extended periods. These materials will be integrated into durable fibres to ensure stability and prevent energy leakage. Project activities will lead to zero-emission, heat-storing clothing capable of providing on-demand warmth.
Objective
Molecular solar thermal (MOST) materials, capable of harvesting solar energy and releasing it as heat on demand, hold great potential for personal thermal management (PTM), especially in wearable fabrics. However, creating MOST fabrics that can efficiently capture natural sunlight, achieve high energy-storage capacity, and maintain long-term stability remains challenging due to the narrow absorption range, low energy density, and leakage risks of current materials. This project aims to establish a zero-emission, wearable MOST energy storage platform for PTM. Its overarching goal is to design, synthesize, and demonstrate a new generation of robust azobenzene-based photoswitches and fiber-integrated devices capable of capturing natural sunlight, storing thermal energy for extended periods, and releasing it controllably on demand.
To achieve this, WP1 focuses on the molecular design and synthesis of sunlight-responsive photoswitches with enhanced visible-light absorption and improved thermal stability. WP2 develops phase-change energy storage strategies through hydrogen-bond engineering and molecular packing optimization to maximize energy density, with encapsulation ensuring durability and leak prevention. WP3 integrates optimized materials into coaxial fibers with near-infrared absorbers for broad-spectrum solar harvesting and scalable device fabrication. Supporting activities include WP4 on training and skills development, WP5 on knowledge dissemination and exploitation, and WP6 on public engagement.
MOSTF will push the boundaries of current technology by broadening solar spectral coverage, achieving >0.4 MJ/kg energy storage densities, and delivering wearable fiber-based devices capable of 1,000+ stable charge–release cycles. The project directly supports the Horizon Europe Work Programme on sustainable energy, advanced materials, and innovation, contributing to UN SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
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)
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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-2025-PF
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OX1 2JD Oxford
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.