Since the early 1990’s, robots have been used to aid the treatment of people with neuromuscular disabilities and soft robotics offers a unique platform due their inherent conformability to the body and enables safe human-device interaction. Previous studies showed that soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) have great potential to build wearable devices for rehabilitative purpose. A general approach to manufacture SPAs is based on using elastomeric materials such as silicone and rubber; and then pneumatic pressure is employed to power actuators. Although elastic materials offer some superior properties, some properties of elastomeric materials – material density, stiffness, and strength - present challenges in wearable applications. As the soft robotics domain ventures into more comprehensive and demanding applications, sensor information becomes key to achieve high task performance, and thus the seamless integration of soft actuating and sensing parts is needed to achieve a continuum of sensing and actuation. Sensors also need to have similar material properties (modulus, extensibility) to be used for the actuator themselves in order to not to hinder the actuator’s performance. To address the challenges mentioned above, I will employ textile materials to achieve both sensing and actuation and computerized flatbed knitting technology will be primarily utilized for the fabrication of such structures and soft robotic glove as a hand rehabilitative device will be constructed. The combination of the acquired new technical skills, the advanced training received, the research management experience and the international and inter-sectoral mobility of this fellowship will significantly diversify my competences. This will enhance my capacity to pursue an independent academic career, i.e., to build my own lab after the fellowship and to apply for international grants both in soft robotics and wearable technologies.

Batteries are a major driving force behind EU’s goal to be climate neutral by 2050–with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, all batteries suffer from severe performance and safety challenges (fire and explosion) and fast-charging limitations due to two fundamental challenges:1) The complex and uncontrollable microscopic electron and ion interactions at dynamic interfaces; 2) The highly in-homogeneous electric field inside the battery cell that leads to chaotic carrier migration. In this project, I tackle these problems by developing a quantum super-exchange energy storage platform (QUEEN), which enables atomically precise fabrication of 2D hybrid nanomaterials effectively transforming them into programable matter. In QUEEN, my aim is 1) Developing a quantum arc pen electro pulse lithography (Q-ARC) technique including a nanoscale “pen” (ARC-PEN) with uniquely modified tips (special gas inlets/outlets) to remove/replace targeted atoms with great precision. 2) Using Q-ARC techniques, investigating novel patterns to fabricate an in-plane hybrid 2D material system with band gap engineering, Coulomb blockage and ballistic transport. 3) Leveraging QUEEN’s near atom-by-atom fabrication, to create an in-situ testing platform to investigate quantum phenomena at complex interfaces. QUEEN will enable the development of superior battery architectures with i) precise and programmable control carrier transport, ii) groundbreakingly thin battery operation distances (2nm-5nm between anode and cathode), iii) very high mobility/instantaneous ion transport, iv) blueprint for extra charge storage mechanism. My multidisciplinary background in advanced device engineering and physics will enable me to accomplish the ambitious goals of this project, which will transform battery technology going well beyond the state of art by introducing control to carrier dynamics. Furthermore, QUEEN unlocks the potential for 2D materials in areas like biology, flexible electronics and spintronic.

Rechargeable lithium batteries are a game-changing technology for electric vehicles and portable electronics due to their benefits in energy density. However, safety is a concern because of the use of flammable organic liquid electrolytes in lithium batteries. Solid state electrolytes not only address the safety issue but also eliminate the issues related to Li metal anode and thus improve gravimetric as well as volumetric energy density, cycle life, and operable temperature range. Whilst there have been recent efforts to create solid state batteries, no real transformative progress has yet been made in this area. The work performed in this proposal will address the limitations of commercialization of solid-state lithium batteries whilst utilizing novel composite solid electrolyte (CSE) fabrication techniques to design composite solid electrolytes. The proposed undertaking presents an excellent training and career acceleration opportunity - enabling me to apply my academic research in an industrial setting whilst also gaining world class advanced innovation management and product development techniques. This will help transform my career and my applied academic profile into a leading authority in solid state lithium batteries and composite solid electrolyte technology.