Project acronym GEL-SYS
Project Smart HydroGEL SYStems – From Bioinspired Design to Soft Electronics and Machines
Researcher (PI) Martin KALTENBRUNNER
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT LINZ
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2017-STG
Summary Hydrogels evolved as versatile building blocks of life – we all are in essence gel-embodied soft machines. Drawing inspiration from the diversity found in living creatures, GEL-SYS will develop a set of concepts, materials approaches and design rules for wide ranging classes of soft, hydrogel-based electronic, ionic and photonic devices in three core aims.
Aim (A) will pursue a high level of complexity in soft, yet tough biomimetic devices and machines by introducing nature-inspired instant strong bonds between hydrogels and antagonistic materials – from soft and elastic to hard and brittle. Building on these newly developed interfaces, aim (B) will pursue biocompatible hydrogel electronics with iontronic transducers and large area multimodal sensor arrays for a new class of medical tools and health monitors. Aim (C) will foster the current soft revolution of robotics with self-sensing, transparent grippers not occluding objects and workspace. A soft robotic visual system with hydrogel-based adaptive optical elements and ultraflexible photosensor arrays will allow robots to see while grasping. Autonomous operation will be a central question in soft systems, tackled with tough stretchable batteries and energy harvesting from mechanical motion on small and large scales with soft membranes. GEL-SYS will use our experience on soft, “imperceptible” electronics and devices. By fusing this technology platform with tough hydrogels - nature’s most pluripotent ingredient of soft machines - we aim to create the next generation of bionic systems. The envisioned hybrids promise new discoveries in the nonlinear mechanical responses of soft systems, and may allow exploiting triggered elastic instabilities for unconventional locomotion. Exploring soft matter, intimately united with solid materials, will trigger novel concepts for medical equipment, healthcare, consumer electronics, energy harvesting from renewable sources and in robotics, with imminent impact on our society.
Summary
Hydrogels evolved as versatile building blocks of life – we all are in essence gel-embodied soft machines. Drawing inspiration from the diversity found in living creatures, GEL-SYS will develop a set of concepts, materials approaches and design rules for wide ranging classes of soft, hydrogel-based electronic, ionic and photonic devices in three core aims.
Aim (A) will pursue a high level of complexity in soft, yet tough biomimetic devices and machines by introducing nature-inspired instant strong bonds between hydrogels and antagonistic materials – from soft and elastic to hard and brittle. Building on these newly developed interfaces, aim (B) will pursue biocompatible hydrogel electronics with iontronic transducers and large area multimodal sensor arrays for a new class of medical tools and health monitors. Aim (C) will foster the current soft revolution of robotics with self-sensing, transparent grippers not occluding objects and workspace. A soft robotic visual system with hydrogel-based adaptive optical elements and ultraflexible photosensor arrays will allow robots to see while grasping. Autonomous operation will be a central question in soft systems, tackled with tough stretchable batteries and energy harvesting from mechanical motion on small and large scales with soft membranes. GEL-SYS will use our experience on soft, “imperceptible” electronics and devices. By fusing this technology platform with tough hydrogels - nature’s most pluripotent ingredient of soft machines - we aim to create the next generation of bionic systems. The envisioned hybrids promise new discoveries in the nonlinear mechanical responses of soft systems, and may allow exploiting triggered elastic instabilities for unconventional locomotion. Exploring soft matter, intimately united with solid materials, will trigger novel concepts for medical equipment, healthcare, consumer electronics, energy harvesting from renewable sources and in robotics, with imminent impact on our society.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 975 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31
Project acronym SpdTuM
Project SPD nanostructured magnets with tuneable properties
Researcher (PI) Andrea BACHMAIER
Host Institution (HI) OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2017-STG
Summary The decrease of weight and the increase of efficiency of magnetic components are essential for the reduction of CO2-emission and an improvement of their performance. Nanostructuring can dramatically improve the magnetic properties of soft and hard magnetic materials, hence opening up entirely new possibilities for the development of novel magnets. Nanocomposite magnets, for example, have been the focus of research since two decades. One of the remaining key challenges is to synthesize bulk nanostructured magnets of a reasonable size. In this project, this challenge is explicitly addressed and the potential to fabricate bulk nanostructured magnets by severe plastic deformation (SPD) as an innovative processing route is evaluated. The aim of the project is not only to synthesize different nanostructured magnets by SPD, but also to tailor their microstructure to attain the desired magnetic properties. It has been shown by the applicant that the magnetic properties of SPD processed nanocrystalline materials can be modified in wide range by decomposition of metastable solid solutions. By using different immiscible systems, decomposition mechanisms and annealing treatments, unique nanostructures can be obtained and the magnetic properties can be optimized. Through the choice of different magnetic starting materials, such as soft, hard and antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic powders, different types of hard magnetic nanocomposites will also be obtained. Fine tuning of the microstructure and resulting magnetic properties through adjustments in the composition, SPD processing parameters and annealing treatments is planned. The project systematically addresses the entire process from the synthesis to the in-depth microstructural characterization by electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. In combination with simultaneous measurements of magnetic properties, the newly developed knowledge will be used to improve the performance of SPD processed nanostructured magnets.
Summary
The decrease of weight and the increase of efficiency of magnetic components are essential for the reduction of CO2-emission and an improvement of their performance. Nanostructuring can dramatically improve the magnetic properties of soft and hard magnetic materials, hence opening up entirely new possibilities for the development of novel magnets. Nanocomposite magnets, for example, have been the focus of research since two decades. One of the remaining key challenges is to synthesize bulk nanostructured magnets of a reasonable size. In this project, this challenge is explicitly addressed and the potential to fabricate bulk nanostructured magnets by severe plastic deformation (SPD) as an innovative processing route is evaluated. The aim of the project is not only to synthesize different nanostructured magnets by SPD, but also to tailor their microstructure to attain the desired magnetic properties. It has been shown by the applicant that the magnetic properties of SPD processed nanocrystalline materials can be modified in wide range by decomposition of metastable solid solutions. By using different immiscible systems, decomposition mechanisms and annealing treatments, unique nanostructures can be obtained and the magnetic properties can be optimized. Through the choice of different magnetic starting materials, such as soft, hard and antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic powders, different types of hard magnetic nanocomposites will also be obtained. Fine tuning of the microstructure and resulting magnetic properties through adjustments in the composition, SPD processing parameters and annealing treatments is planned. The project systematically addresses the entire process from the synthesis to the in-depth microstructural characterization by electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. In combination with simultaneous measurements of magnetic properties, the newly developed knowledge will be used to improve the performance of SPD processed nanostructured magnets.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 475 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31
Project acronym THIRST
Project Third Strategy in Tissue Engineering – Functional microfabricated multicellular spheroid carriers for tissue engineering and regeneration
Researcher (PI) Aleksandr Ovsianikov
Host Institution (HI) TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE8, ERC-2017-COG
Summary The field of tissue engineering (TE) pursues a noble goal, driven by the urgent need for tissue and organ repair. It is represented by a fairly large and extremely interdisciplinary scientific community. However, so far TE was not able to deliver to the expectations, with only a few examples of successful clinical translation mostly restricted to a particular disease or tissue type. Despite the fact that all major fundamental bottlenecks of conventional TE strategies have long been identified, a universal solution does not seem to be in sight.
In this project I propose to launch a radically new approach, a third strategy in tissue engineering (THIRST), which holds the potential to produce a desperately needed technological breakthrough. THIRST relies on a tissue self-assembly from multicellular spheroids encaged within robust 3D printed microscaffolds. THIRST is enabled by a number of cutting-edge methods, some of which became relevant in the context of TE only recently. In combination, these methods offer a variety of new technological possibilities for the area of TE.
The objectives of this project are focussed on establishing the means for automated large-scale production of tissue modules, protocols for microscaffold biofunctionalisation, and demonstrating THIRST potential with highly relevant clinical examples - cartilage, representing avascular tissue, and vascularized bone tissue.
A distinct feature of THIRST is its universal applicability, meaning that such a tool-box can be further expanded to encompass other types of tissues without substantial adjustments to the basic tissue assembly procedure. The latter is particularly inspiring, taking into account the considerable regulatory hurdles associated with the development of new TE therapies. Due to its unconventional nature, realization of THIRST relies on overcoming several considerable technological challenges addressed by this project.
Summary
The field of tissue engineering (TE) pursues a noble goal, driven by the urgent need for tissue and organ repair. It is represented by a fairly large and extremely interdisciplinary scientific community. However, so far TE was not able to deliver to the expectations, with only a few examples of successful clinical translation mostly restricted to a particular disease or tissue type. Despite the fact that all major fundamental bottlenecks of conventional TE strategies have long been identified, a universal solution does not seem to be in sight.
In this project I propose to launch a radically new approach, a third strategy in tissue engineering (THIRST), which holds the potential to produce a desperately needed technological breakthrough. THIRST relies on a tissue self-assembly from multicellular spheroids encaged within robust 3D printed microscaffolds. THIRST is enabled by a number of cutting-edge methods, some of which became relevant in the context of TE only recently. In combination, these methods offer a variety of new technological possibilities for the area of TE.
The objectives of this project are focussed on establishing the means for automated large-scale production of tissue modules, protocols for microscaffold biofunctionalisation, and demonstrating THIRST potential with highly relevant clinical examples - cartilage, representing avascular tissue, and vascularized bone tissue.
A distinct feature of THIRST is its universal applicability, meaning that such a tool-box can be further expanded to encompass other types of tissues without substantial adjustments to the basic tissue assembly procedure. The latter is particularly inspiring, taking into account the considerable regulatory hurdles associated with the development of new TE therapies. Due to its unconventional nature, realization of THIRST relies on overcoming several considerable technological challenges addressed by this project.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 963 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-05-01, End date: 2023-04-30
Project acronym TOUGHIT
Project Tough Interface Tailored Nanostructured Metals
Researcher (PI) Daniel KIENER
Host Institution (HI) MONTANUNIVERSITAET LEOBEN
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE8, ERC-2017-COG
Summary The ideal structural material should excel in strength and toughness. Strength describes the capability of a defect free component to carry load during operation, while toughness defines the load-bearing capability and ductility in the presence of a crack. For an energy-efficient and safe design, both quantities should be simultaneously high. Unfortunately, they are mutually exclusive, rendering their combination a Holy Grail in materials science.
The reason for this incompatibility is rooted in the inverse strength-ductility paradigm. Focussing on metals, the strength is enhanced via microstructure refinement to the nanometer scale, but ductility and damage tolerance simultaneously drop dramatically. Safety-related or highly stressed components are thus made from rather soft metals, indicating tremendous economic impact conceivable.
The objective of this project is to design new bulk materials that uniquely combine high strength and toughness.
Severe plastic deformation will be employed to create novel nanostructured bulk metals and nanocomposites, utilizing atomistically informed alloy and interface design to promote plastic deformation. The largely unknown nanoscale processes that limit fracture toughness of nanostructured materials will for the first time be directly identified by quantitative nanomechanical fracture experiments performed in-situ in high resolution electron microscopes. Correlation of these unique insights with ab-initio calculations and energy-based elastic-plastic fracture mechanics computations will guide paths for further improvement of the fracture resistance.
By combining a versatile synthesis technique with highly advanced in-situ nanomechanical testing permitting unique atomistic-level insights into nanoscale fracture processes and a scale-bridging modelling approach, new mechanism-based strategies to tailor innovative nanostructured metals and composites with unprecedented strength and toughness will be established.
Summary
The ideal structural material should excel in strength and toughness. Strength describes the capability of a defect free component to carry load during operation, while toughness defines the load-bearing capability and ductility in the presence of a crack. For an energy-efficient and safe design, both quantities should be simultaneously high. Unfortunately, they are mutually exclusive, rendering their combination a Holy Grail in materials science.
The reason for this incompatibility is rooted in the inverse strength-ductility paradigm. Focussing on metals, the strength is enhanced via microstructure refinement to the nanometer scale, but ductility and damage tolerance simultaneously drop dramatically. Safety-related or highly stressed components are thus made from rather soft metals, indicating tremendous economic impact conceivable.
The objective of this project is to design new bulk materials that uniquely combine high strength and toughness.
Severe plastic deformation will be employed to create novel nanostructured bulk metals and nanocomposites, utilizing atomistically informed alloy and interface design to promote plastic deformation. The largely unknown nanoscale processes that limit fracture toughness of nanostructured materials will for the first time be directly identified by quantitative nanomechanical fracture experiments performed in-situ in high resolution electron microscopes. Correlation of these unique insights with ab-initio calculations and energy-based elastic-plastic fracture mechanics computations will guide paths for further improvement of the fracture resistance.
By combining a versatile synthesis technique with highly advanced in-situ nanomechanical testing permitting unique atomistic-level insights into nanoscale fracture processes and a scale-bridging modelling approach, new mechanism-based strategies to tailor innovative nanostructured metals and composites with unprecedented strength and toughness will be established.
Max ERC Funding
1 960 985 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-05-01, End date: 2023-04-30
Project acronym TRANSDESIGN
Project Design of Phase Transition Kinetics in Non-Equilibrium Metals
Researcher (PI) Stefan POGATSCHER
Host Institution (HI) MONTANUNIVERSITAET LEOBEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2017-STG
Summary The first technological use of non-equilibrium phase transitions in metals for designing properties is documented as ~800 BC, but the time has come to make a leap forward. Nearly all classes of materials show non-equilibrium phase transitions. Understanding how fast these transitions occur is a key question in materials science. In metals, kinetics is connected to diffusion via atomic lattice vacancies. However, there is no universal sound and predictive physical understanding of the kinetics under non-equilibrium situations so far, because theory cannot be verified experimentally. The in-situ measuring of non-equilibrium vacancy evolution is not possible at industrially relevant and controlled high thermal rates today. Moreover, direct microscopic observation of vacancies in bulk metals has not yet been achieved.
The development of unique strategies for in-situ measuring of non-equilibrium vacancy evolution and the microscopic observation of atomic lattice vacancies and their motion will be the main breakthroughs of TRANSDESIGN. Observing non-equilibrium vacancy annihilation via ultrafast chip calorimetry offers unique advantages and will be a ground-breaking step to understand non-equilibrium diffusion. Moreover, this will also establish novel chip calorimetry as a standard in thermal analysis of relevant metals.
Within TRANSDESIGN we utilize high image contrast solutes, which trap vacancies, as markers for an identification of vacancies via field ion and scanning transmission electron microscopy. This unique strategy will enable the observation of “vacancies at work” in the bulk of metals.
The project will close longstanding experimental-theoretical gaps with significant impact on the optimization and design of new kinetically driven processes and products in the field of metallurgy. However, the fundamentals gained within TRANSDESIGN are universal and will significantly contribute to the advancement of the European competence in materials science.
Summary
The first technological use of non-equilibrium phase transitions in metals for designing properties is documented as ~800 BC, but the time has come to make a leap forward. Nearly all classes of materials show non-equilibrium phase transitions. Understanding how fast these transitions occur is a key question in materials science. In metals, kinetics is connected to diffusion via atomic lattice vacancies. However, there is no universal sound and predictive physical understanding of the kinetics under non-equilibrium situations so far, because theory cannot be verified experimentally. The in-situ measuring of non-equilibrium vacancy evolution is not possible at industrially relevant and controlled high thermal rates today. Moreover, direct microscopic observation of vacancies in bulk metals has not yet been achieved.
The development of unique strategies for in-situ measuring of non-equilibrium vacancy evolution and the microscopic observation of atomic lattice vacancies and their motion will be the main breakthroughs of TRANSDESIGN. Observing non-equilibrium vacancy annihilation via ultrafast chip calorimetry offers unique advantages and will be a ground-breaking step to understand non-equilibrium diffusion. Moreover, this will also establish novel chip calorimetry as a standard in thermal analysis of relevant metals.
Within TRANSDESIGN we utilize high image contrast solutes, which trap vacancies, as markers for an identification of vacancies via field ion and scanning transmission electron microscopy. This unique strategy will enable the observation of “vacancies at work” in the bulk of metals.
The project will close longstanding experimental-theoretical gaps with significant impact on the optimization and design of new kinetically driven processes and products in the field of metallurgy. However, the fundamentals gained within TRANSDESIGN are universal and will significantly contribute to the advancement of the European competence in materials science.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 679 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-02-01, End date: 2023-01-31
