MAGNUS · Strain-graded MAGnetoelectric composites based on NanoporoUS materials for information and biomedical technologies
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-01-01 → 2022-12-31
- EU contribution
- €172,932
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Strain-graded MAGnetoelectric composites based on NanoporoUS materials for information and biomedical technologies
The action “MAGNUS: Strain-graded MAGnetoelectric composites based on NanoporoUS materials for information and biomedical technologies” seeks to overcome certain technical drawbacks associated with state-of-the-art magnetoelectric (ME) composites, such as the clamping effect with underlying substrates or the need of high voltage inputs, by fabrication of novel material architectures with a variable mechanical strain along their length, which can respond more efficiently to magnetic and electric fields. The project encompasses new strategies to grow ‘mechanically flexible’ nanoporous magnetostrictive materials (e.g., metal alloys or oxides) and fill them with second-phase materials (e.g., ferroelectric polymers), rendering new functionally graded composites. At the end of the project several new materials fabrication methodologies have been developed that combine chemical and physical preparation techniques to produce desired ME composites architectures with targeted ME properties. The project faces important challenges in two strategic sectors of modern society: health and energy. The use of voltage programmable ME materials based on proposed porous structures can lead to an important reduction of energy consumption in magnetic storage devices, while maintaining high data areal densities. In turn, electrically-stimulated tissue engineering, driven by strain gradient modulation of ME effects, will lead to novel minimally invasive biomedical treatment procedures for e.g. bone repair. To achieve the goals of the project the following three main research objectives have been identified: O1. To develop innovative protocols for the synthesis of highly magnetostrictive porous FM alloys and oxides with target composition, pore size and thickness, to be filled with a FE polymer. O2. To investigate strain-gradient mediated DME and CME effects in the synthesized ME composites. O3. To demonstrate (i) magnetoelectrically driven bone tissue engineering via direct ME and (ii) energy-efficient writing of the magnetic information via converse ME using developed composites based on nanoporous materials.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Magnetoelectric (ME) composites have the potential to revolutionize current nanotechnologies due to their ability to simultaneously respond to external magnetic and electric stimuli. However, archetypical ME materials prepared on rigid supports show either small effects due to the clamping with the substrate (e.g., Si wafers) or require of extremely high voltages (in case ferroelectric –FE– substrates are employed). To overcome these drawbacks, MAGNUS proposes a comprehensive research program built on the disruptive idea of using strain-gradient (i.e., flexoelectricity), instead of homogeneous strain, to boost the properties of ME composites deposited onto rigid substrates. The project encompasses new strategies to grow ‘mechanically flexible’ nanoporous magnetostrictive materials (FeGa, FeCo, Co ferrite) and fill them with FE polymers (P(VDF-TrFE)), rendering new functionally graded composites, operated with magnetic/electric fields, that will surpass classical compositionally-graded materials. The project aims at using these composites for (i) ME (wireless) bone tissue engineering and (ii) functionally-graded magnetic recording media. MAGNUS will take advantage of (i) my previous experience on electrodeposited Fe-based alloys and spin-coated FE polymers, (ii) the strong background of the main Host Institution (UAB) on magnetism and (iii) the expertise of the Partner Organizations on ME materials for biomedicine (ETH Zürich) and the growth of porous oxides (Univ. Cambridge). MAGNUS will bring interesting cross-cutting outcomes in the field of magnetoelectricity, exploiting strain-gradient mediated ME effects to an unprecedented extent and settling the grounds to consolidate the use of these frontier materials in the newly launched “Horizon Europe” Framework Programme (2021-2027). Besides the fascinating science to be unveiled in MAGNUS, the project will offer me the possibility to create a prestigious network which will reinforce my professional status in science.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA · Cerdanyola Del VallesCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union