EXC 3120 BlueMat - Research Topic A4: Bioinspired and Modeling-Guided Nanoporous Device Concepts

3D hybrid nanomaterial systems developed in A1 to A3 exhibit a variety of water-driven functionalities, including electrochemo-mechanical coupling that enables an active control of acoustic properties (A1, A2), sensing and actuation (A2, A3), and transfer of large actuation energies in metal/polymer/water hybrid nanomaterials (A2, A3) that can be tuned via an external chemical or physical stimulus. By integrating these systems in A4, we aim to achieve applications with high flexibility and even free programmability. Inspiration from biological principles and advanced modeling approaches serve as sources for creativity and innovation, providing a theoretical proof of concept. Key scientific questions include: How can we translate concepts from biology, such as autonomous sensing and versatile shape change, into technological systems? How can we independently control defined material volumes within a material system via an external stimulus? How can we predict the macroscopic behavior of such multiscale systems to identify the most promising designs?