Project description
Real-time design and prediction of viscoelastic adhesive interfaces
Viscoelastic adhesive interfaces with tunable properties are crucial to a variety of key technologies being developed in the biomedicine, smart materials and robotics sectors, among others. However, our ability to design and control them has been limited by the high computational cost of numerical models and classical contact mechanics, which are unable to deliver real-time predictions for surfaces that are non-smooth, complex, and viscoelastic. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the REAL-ADHERE project will develop a physics-enhanced machine learning (PEML) framework that enables real-time design, prediction, and inverse optimisation of tunable adhesive interfaces. The project will adopt a hybrid strategy to ensure interpretable, physically consistent results while accelerating design and improving efficiency.
Objective
Viscoelastic adhesive interfaces with tunable properties are central to emerging technologies in robotics, biomedicine, and smart materials. However, their design and control are severely constrained by the slow computational cost of classical contact mechanics and empirical models, which cannot deliver real-time predictions across complex, viscoelastic, and non-smooth surfaces. This project introduces a Physics-Enhanced Machine Learning (PEML) framework for the real-time design, prediction, and inverse optimization of tunable adhesive interfaces. The approach integrates high-fidelity simulations with advanced learning architectures, spanning Neural Controlled Differential Equations (NCDEs) and Neural Operators, while embedding physical principles such as viscoelastic constitutive laws, energy balances, and adhesion models. This hybrid strategy ensures physically consistent and interpretable results while leveraging acceleration of ML inference for design. Furthermore, the project advances beyond forward modeling by employing generative design for the inverse problem, allowing the tailored engineering of adhesive surfaces under physical and manufacturing constraints. Prototype fabrication and validation will bridge the gap between simulation and experiment, ensuring demonstrable feasibility. The expected outcomes include: (i) the first real-time, physics-consistent tool for adhesive interface dynamics, (ii) design strategies generalizable to non-smooth and multi-asperity surfaces, and (iii) transformative applications in adaptive gripping, biomedical devices, and switchable adhesion systems. The project thus addresses urgent scientific and technological challenges by combining fundamental physics, cutting-edge ML, and experimental validation to pave the way for sustainable and high-impact adhesion 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.
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics mathematical analysis differential equations
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning
- 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)
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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.
10623 Berlin
Germany
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.