Novel Actuator Materials: Nature-Inspired Anisotropic and Tough Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Ústav makromolekulární chemie AV ČR, v. v. i.
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-21352S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Novel Actuator Materials: Nature-Inspired Anisotropic and Tough Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Annotation in Czech
In this basic research project, advanced anisotropic nanocomposite hydrogels sensitive to temperature and/or pH and reinforced by 1D nanofiller (and thus biomimetic), with potential application as actuators in soft robotics, will be synthesized, including solvent-free elastomeric analogues. The novel architecture of this little-studied material class is expected to markedly improve the strength and the force of stimulus-response, thus mitigating the most prominent drawbacks of hydrogel actuators. Filler nano-rods of titanate (inorganic) and of nanocrystalline polysaccharide type (organic, biocompatible) will be synthesized. Their surface will be modified for matrix compatibility, for reactive bonding, or for paramagnetic properties. Hydrogels will be based on polyacrylates and polyacrylamides, the elastomers mainly on poly(methoxyethyl acrylate). Alignment of promising nanocomposites in strong magnetic field will be explored, in order to achieve high degrees of anisotropy. Development will focus on directional mechanical properties, directional stimulus response, and toughness.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10404 - Polymer science
OECD FORD - secondary branch
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OECD FORD - another secondary branch
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CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
CD - Macromolecular chemistry
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
May 6, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
6,105 thou. CZK
Public financial support
6,105 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK