Project description
Biodegradable membranes for energy storage
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar require efficient storage systems to balance supply and demand. Organic redox flow batteries present a viable option for large-scale storage solution, but the membrane that controls ion transport within the battery remains a major limitation. Current membranes are made from fluorinated polymers that are energy-intensive to produce, difficult to recycle and persist in the environment. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SHPM project aims to address these limitations by developing a novel peptide-based membrane that is both biodegradable and capable of self-repair under mild conditions. Its architecture incorporates structured peptides and reversible chemical bonds, enabling operational stability alongside the capacity for repair and recycling.
Objective
Organic redox flow batteries (ORFBs) are emerging as a promising solution for large-scale renewable energy storage, offering safer operation and greater sustainability than traditional redox flow batteries. Despite advances in electrolyte design, the membrane component—responsible for selective ion transport and energy retention—remains underdeveloped. Most commercial membranes are based on synthetic polymers that require complex, energy-intensive production, feature limited recyclability, and are commonly discarded once damaged or fouled. This practice not only drives up operational costs but also contributes to environmental accumulation of persistent fluorinated materials. Therefore, I propose the Self-Healing Peptide Membrane (SHPM) project, which seeks to overcome these challenges by developing a novel, peptide-based ion-selective membrane that is both biodegradable and repairable. The design leverages α-helical peptides to form a porous, nanostructured framework, while dynamic covalent linkages provide reversible connectivity, enabling the membrane to remain stable during battery operation yet reconfigure and heal under mild curing conditions. By introducing a sustainable, self-healing alternative to conventional membranes, SHPM not only advances the performance and economics of ORFB systems but also establishes a new direction in the development of adaptive, environmentally responsible materials for next-generation energy technologies.
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 environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
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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.
28049 Madrid
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.