Project description
Uncovering hidden dynamics at the nanoscale
Diffusion underlies countless microscopic phenomena, from nanotechnology to biology, yet most theories fail in non-equilibrium conditions such as shear flows or reactive interfaces. In this context, the ERC-funded NoDiCE project aims to investigate these complex systems by positioning functional colloidal particles within well-defined, non-equilibrium environments. From evanescent-wave microscopy to fluorescence correlation and atomic force spectroscopy, researchers will track particle movement and ordering on a nanometric scale over a wide timescale range. By studying the influence of hydrodynamic interactions, surface adsorption, and exterior flows on particle behaviour, NoDiCE seeks to uncover new self-organisation laws. Its findings could trigger next-generation self-assembly processes, move reaction pathway understanding forward, and propel next-generation nanoscale diagnostic technologies.
Objective
Diffusion is at the root of a huge number of microscopic structural and transport processes. During the last century, Einstein and Boltzmann's theories were successful in describing equilibrated systems, but they are not applicable to numerous strongly non-equilibrium conditions in nano-technological and macromolecular-scale biological contexts. Notably, many systems involve energy injection at an interface, either under dissipative shear flows or chemical reactivity. These common non-equilibrium situations are difficult to observe with precision and describe with statistical theory. NoDiCEs purpose is thus to design model experiments placing functional colloidal particles in complex, non-equilibrium environments with quantitative assessment based on delicate and simultaneous observations of the particles advective and diffusive motions, along with their precise spatial organization. Our observations exploit evanescent- wave microscopy to observe fluorescent nanoparticles driven out-of-equilibrium in microfluidic devices, providing 3D nanometric precision at kHz temporal scales. Fluorescence correlation and atomic force spectroscopies complement these measurements, providing DC to MHz bandwidth and similar spatial precision. We will demonstrate how non-trivial interactions of hydrodynamic origin with a boundary reveal novel nanoscale self-organization strategies, and learn how to integrate a hydrodynamic component into the statistical theory. We then enter the recent scientific debate about the extent to which Brownian motion can be impacted by reactive environments with catalysis. Lastly, we combine these elements with particles that present specific surface binding and are driven out of equilibrium by an external flow. The insights provided by our model experiments open a path for the developments of breakthrough self-assembly strategies, reaction- pathway analysis based on particle dynamics, and possible next-generation diagnostic tools.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.