InspiringFuture - Bioinspired nanoengineering of robust films: Multifunctional interfaces for enabling a sustainable future

InspiringFuture - 坚固薄膜的仿生纳米工程：实现可持续未来的多功能接口

• 批准号: EP/X023974/1
• 负责人: Manish K. Tiwari
• 金额: $ 219.62万
• 依托单位: University College London
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FX023974%2F1
• 关键词: InspiringFuture; Bioinspired; nanoengineering; robust; films

Scientific breakthroughs into surfaces/interfaces with high overall durability are critical to meet humanity's aspirations for sustainable development. With this context, I seek to undertake fundamental research to nanoengineer new bioinspired liquid-repellent films featuring resistance to sustained high-speed impact, fatigue and continuous flow (shear). My specific objectives are to:1) nanoengineer robust and flexible films with amphiphobicity (i.e. repellence to water and low surface tension liquid) built through thickness2) nanoengineer multi-layered amphiphobic film with mechanical anisotropy and energy dissipative mechanisms for impact/fatigue tolerance3) develop new insights into visco-elasto-plastic failure of the amphiphobic films using electron microscopy integrated nanomechanical tests and exploit them to engineer robust piezocatalytic films 4) perform first high-speed (~350 m/s) liquid/solid particle impact experiments on robust amphiphobic films, demonstrate their anti-icing, anti-scaling and optical transparency potential and to exploit robust piezocatalytic films to introduce continuous flow water remediation for pollution and disease control.The proposed protective nanoengineered films offer a substrate-independent solution for impact/erosion issues that plague transport systems, wind-turbines and offshore installations, and infrastructure exposed to harsh weather. These applications will also benefit from passive anti-icing/scaling potential of our films. With optical transparency, the films may prevent contamination of windows/windshields and handheld devices (e.g. phones/tablets). Furthermore, the piezocatalytic films may be retrofit to industrial/domestic pipes to enable continuous water remediation - this will reduce water waste and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) burden, and potentially save millions of lives/year. Overall, the fellowship will contribute to sustainable development and meeting the European Green Deal targets.

具有高整体耐久性的表面/界面的科学突破对于满足人类可持续发展的愿望至关重要。在此背景下，我寻求进行基础研究，以纳米工程设计新型仿生防水薄膜，该薄膜具有耐持续高速冲击、疲劳和连续流动（剪切）的能力。我的具体目标是：1）通过厚度构建具有两亲性（即排斥水和低表面张力液体）的纳米工程坚固且灵活的薄膜2）具有机械各向异性和耐冲击/疲劳的能量耗散机制的纳米工程多层两亲薄膜3）开发关于粘弹塑性失效的新见解 使用电子显微镜集成纳米力学测试的双疏薄膜，并利用它们来设计坚固的压电催化薄膜 4) 在坚固的双疏薄膜上进行首次高速（~350 m/s）液体/固体颗粒冲击实验，展示其防冰、防垢和光学透明潜力，并利用坚固的压电催化薄膜引入连续流 所提出的保护性纳米工程薄膜为困扰运输系统、风力涡轮机和海上设施以及暴露在恶劣天气下的基础设施的冲击/侵蚀问题提供了一种独立于基材的解决方案。这些应用还将受益于我们薄膜的被动防冰/结垢潜力。由于具有光学透明度，薄膜可以防止窗户/挡风玻璃和手持设备（例如手机/平板电脑）受到污染。此外，压电催化薄膜可以对工业/家用管道进行改造，以实现连续的水修复——这将减少水的浪费和抗菌素耐药性（AMR）负担，并有可能每年挽救数百万人的生命。总体而言，该奖学金将为可持续发展和实现欧洲绿色协议目标做出贡献。