Umons – Prospect

Prospect

Patterned Coatings Based On 2D Materials Benzoxazine Resin Hybrids For Broad Range Pressure Detection

Summary of the project

The development of pressure sensors and, in particular, of electronic skin, is fundamental to the interfacing between human bodies and the outside world, namely in prosthetics and biomedical applications.

To mimic the tactile sensing properties of natural skin, one should develop large arrays of pixels, each one acting as an independent pressure detector supported on a flexible and stretchable substrate.

PROSPECT targets an innovative generation of patterned coatings based on benzoxazine thermo- and photo-resist matrices incorporating electrically conductive 2D layers for wide-range pressure sensing applications.

Guided by theoretical modelling, we will design and synthesize novel benzoxazine monomers equipped with functional groups that will both serve as reticulation nodes and as centres for the (non-)covalent anchoring of electrically active (Reduced) Graphene Oxide, (R)GO, flakes.

PROSPECT aims at fabricating sensors that can accurately measure pressures both in the medium-pressure regime (10–100 kPa) suitable for object manipulation and in the low-pressure regimes (<10 kPa) typical of gentle touch.

The targeted devices, which will operate at low voltage for low-power consumption and will be amenable to large‐scale fabrication process, provide an appealing solution for technological applications in wearable health‐monitoring as Point-of-Care, multimotion detection robotics, and the Internet of (Every)Things.

4 universities partners

University of Mons

Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials and Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Material

University of Strasbourg

Institut de Sciences et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires, UNISTRA

Chalmers University of Technology

Department of Industrial and Materials Science, CUT

University of Nova Gorica

Laboratory for Organic Matter Physics, LOMP

Scientific Question(s) Addressed

The overarching scientific objective of PROSPECT is to gain an unprecedented understanding of confinement effects on the thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of Graphene Related Materials (GRM)-based nanocomposites.

Implementation

PROSPECT is articulated around three closely intertwined work packages and scientific objectives, namely innovative synthesis and design (WP1), predictive modelling and advanced characterization (WP2) and patterning into broad-band, sensitive, pressure detectors (WP3), see Pert chart in Figure 3.

Funding

Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystal which consists of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Its unique combination of superior properties makes it a credible starting point for new disruptive technologies in a wide range of fields. Nowadays, hundreds of laboratories around the world deal with different aspects of graphene research.

The Graphene Flagship, one of the two FET Flagships selected by the European Commission in 2013, brings together an academic-industrial consortium aiming at a breakthrough for technological innovation in Europe. The project has a number of scientific objectives during its lifespan of 10 years.

The FLAG-ERA Consortium of European research and innovation funding agencies, research councils and ministries jointly works towards creating an environment that enables the coordination of national and regional funding for the FET Flagships.

As such, FLAG-ERA was set up to contribute to the construction of the Graphene Flagship, while a dedicated Liaison Group allows for a direct dialogue between the Flagship representatives on the one hand and the national research funding agencies gathered by FLAG-ERA on the other hand.

Furthermore, FLAG-ERA makes an inventory of national research projects that are in line with the scientific roadmap developed by the Graphene Flagship and that could play a role as complementary partnering projects (read here about funded projects).