Proprioceptive Artificial Muscles

he laboratory of Electrochemistry, Intelligent Materials and Devices can offer the ESR a solid background (developed from the eighties of the past century) on electropolymerization, electrochemical properties and electrochemical applications of conducting polymers also expanded to carbon nanotubes and graphenes. By oxidation/reduction those materials exchange ions and water with the electrolyte becoming dense reactive gels: the simplest material model of the intracellular matrix from living cells. The reaction changes simultaneously the material volume and the material potential. Volume variations originate artificial muscles. The material potential senses any mechanical, thermal or chemical perturbation during actuation. The same device works, simultaneously, as a motor and as a mechanical, thermal or chemical sensor. A new technological world , based on sensing-motors that mimic haptic muscles, both natural and artificial driven by a chemical reaction is emerging to be develop during the next century artificial proprioceptive tools and robots.
Objectives: Developing bending and linear actuators sensing: temperature, chemical ambient and mechanical conditions of work by using conducting polymers exchanging anions or cations during actuation. Developing the theoretical model for artificial proprioception based on mechanical, polymeric and electrochemical principles. Stating the basic sensing motors and the theoretical treatment for the development of most intelligent tools and robots. Developing polymeric motors that can self-sense working temperature, working chemical ambient or the presence of obstacles in its way, giving information about its possibility to shift the obstacle or not; covering the old dream of engineers and robot designers: available haptic motors. Using the theoretical model to increase the efficiency of those devices to translate electrical into mechanical energy. Developing basic tools and its characterization procedures. Improving the theoretical description of those dual devices (sensing-motors) working simultaneously in one physically uniform system.

Applications are invited for PhD positions (“Early Stage Researchers” ESR) to be funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “MICACT – Microactuators” within the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission. The ESR will obtain PhD with a wide experience in materials engineering and/or mechatronics engineering.
The successful candidate should have following profile:
● M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science/Engineering,, or related field
● Strong experimental skills in electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, basic polymer science, functional biology or related field
● Have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy teamwork with colleagues in a multicultural setting.
● Adept at thinking at a system level, interested in applications and enjoy building and testing working devices
● Highly motivated, taking initiative, communicative, quality minded, flexible, and eager to learn
● Eager to frequent travel to secondment hosts and workshops
● Experience in the fields of soft actuators or testing will be an asset.
● Basic knowledge in clean room processes will be appreciated
● Fluent in English. Knowledge of local language is a plus.

Application procedure:

Interested candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivations to HOST CONTACT (indicate the selected ESR and host!). Deadline for applications is January 28th. Earlier application gives an advantage.
The host contact person will give additional information about formal requirements to apply for PhD student position at specific university.

Positions will be filled starting from March 1st.

Benefits and salary
The MSCA programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = 37.320 euro/year (correction factor to be applied per country) + Monthly mobility allowance = 600 to 1100 euro depending on the family situation]. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria
● Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. ESR should qualify as PhD student for PhD programme in the university in which the research training is provided.
● Researchers can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment by the host, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account.