Project description
Programming lifelike behaviours and autonomous functions into synthetic materials
Engineers designing next-generation robotics and smart structures face a major challenge: synthetic materials are static compared to living organisms that naturally adapt and self-repair. While the introduction of distributed sensors and actuators allows these materials to mimic biological movement, scientists cannot predict how they will behave when interacting with complex and unpredictable real-world environments. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PACMAN project will help establish the mathematical laws governing how these materials deform and evolve. Computational multiphysics models will be used to investigate how geometric constraints and physical laws affect pattern selection. The proposed research will provide the engineering blueprints needed to design smart, autonomous synthetic materials capable of lifelike functionality.
Objective
Living matter, from cells to complex organisms are animate: they perform extraordinary mechanical tasks like locomotion, adaptation to environments, and self-repair. By contrast, even advanced synthetic materials remain far from achieving such autonomous functionalities. A promising route to synthetic animate materials is nonreciprocal mechanical metamaterials: active mechanical systems composed of distributed sensors and actuators whose active feedback breaks the symmetry of couplings between their unit blocks. To realize animate functionalities, these materials should in principle be able to form and control environment-dependent nonlinear patterns. Yet most studies to date remain confined to linear regimes and isolated settings. As a result, the fundamental understanding of patterns in nonreciprocal mechanical metamaterials is still poorly understood. This project addresses this gap by developing the theoretical foundations for pattern formation, selection, and control in nonlinear nonreciprocal metamaterials. Specifically, I will (i) identify the physical laws governing pattern formation under the effects of nonlinearity, damping, and driving, (ii) investigate the role of geometric constraints like finite size and boundaries, and (iii) translate these insights into computational multiphysics models of active mechanical metamaterials, in which patterns induce animate behaviors. This proposal represents an innovative approach made possible by the complementary expertise of a leading lab in active mechanical metamaterials (host) and my own background in nonlinear dynamics. The results from this study will open new avenues by establishing the guiding principles for pattern-based animate and autonomous functionalities in active solids. This fellowship will equip me with transformational expertise in nonlinear active solids, multiphysics simulations and interdisciplinary collaboration, constituting a major step towards establishing my independent academic career.
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
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science multiphysics
- social sciences law
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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)
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.
1012WX Amsterdam
Netherlands
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.