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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
OSNABRUECK.- Major success for Osnabrück University: Professor Dr. Martin Steinhart of the Institute of Chemistry of New Materials has been awarded a “Consolidator Grant” by the European Research Council (ERC), one of the most valuable grants in the European research landscape. His project, which will receive some 1.9 million euros in funding from the ERC over a period of five years, involves developing a novel method, inspired by the functioning of insects’ feet, that can be used to apply patterns of the tiniest ink droplets to surfaces quickly and extensively.
Areas of tiny hairs can be found on the feet of insects. An adhesive secretion is transported via fine ducts in the insects’ small hairs that enhances their adhesion to rough walls and ceilings. “Hence the footprint of many insect species consists of areas of tiny droplets,” explained the 44-year-old Osnabrueck chemist. The architecture of insects’ feet will now be exploited in order to secrete areas of tiny ink droplets onto large surfaces. Such droplets cannot yet be created using state-of-the-art methods.
Examples of applications include the speedy, high-precision production of porous filtration membranes and the use of ink droplets as “nano labs”. For instance, investigations will show whether chemical reactions in the small separate ink droplets differ to those in solutions. Another application is the design of innovative sensors.
To this end, Martin Steinhart’s team intends to use novel stamps made of plastics featuring extensive areas of upright synthetic fibers and continuous spongy pore systems, mimicking the features of insects’ feet. The pore systems enable any kind of ink to be transported to the tips of the synthetic fibers. Steinhart: “As soon as the fiber tips come into contact with the surface for printing, ink capillary bridges are formed. When the stamps are retracted, extensive areas of nanodroplets are left behind on the surface for printing.” The Osnabrueck chemist hopes that the insect-inspired stamping method can be developed to the stage of technical suitability for application under the ERC Consolidator Grant. A corresponding basic patent has already been registered by Osnabrück University.
The news from Brussels was met with delight at Osnabrück University. “I congratulate Professor Steinhart on this highly endowed grant, which demonstrates the outstanding performance and excellence of scientific research at Osnabrück University,” stated University President Professor Dr. Wolfgang Luecke. “At the same time, the grant is a tremendous success for the university and particularly for the Institute of Chemistry of New Materials in acquiring third-party funding in international competition.”
ERC awards “Consolidator Grants” to excellent scholars for “frontier research” that goes far beyond the previous state of research, developing new fields of research. Only research projects considered excellent that are expected to produce “groundbreaking” results have a chance of success. The sole selection criteria in the assessment are the applicant’s proven outstanding scientific excellence, as well as the originality and coherence of the project proposal.
Additional information for the media:
Professor Dr. Martin Steinhart, Osnabrück University,
Institute of Chemistry of New Materials,
Barbarastr. 7, D-49076 Osnabrueck,
Tel.: +49 (0)541 969 2817
E-mail: martin.steinhart@uni-osnabrueck.de
Utz Lederbogen,
Osnabrück University Press Officer,
Neuer Graben / Schloss, 49069 Osnabrueck
Tel.: +49 (0)541 969 4370
E-mail: utz.lederbogen@uni-osnabrueck.de
Professor Dr. Martin Steinhart of the Institute of Chemistry of New Materials has been awarded a “Co ...
Copyright: Press Office/Osnabrück University
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Journalisten, Wissenschaftler
Biologie, Chemie
überregional
Forschungsergebnisse, Forschungsprojekte
Englisch
Professor Dr. Martin Steinhart of the Institute of Chemistry of New Materials has been awarded a “Co ...
Copyright: Press Office/Osnabrück University
None
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