Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Oyster (Open characterisation and modelling environment to drive innovation in advanced nano-architectured and bio-inspired hard/soft interfaces)
Teaser
Based on the manufacturing/characterisation/modelling triangle, the OYSTER project will enable the optimisation of models, products and processes related to nano-engineered surfaces with tailored surface-free-energy, improved adhesion (or, reduced friction, where appropriate)...
Summary
Based on the manufacturing/characterisation/modelling triangle, the OYSTER project will enable the optimisation of models, products and processes related to nano-engineered surfaces with tailored surface-free-energy, improved adhesion (or, reduced friction, where appropriate), and the validation of recent mesoscopic contact models describing interfacial phenomena between a hard substrate and soft/biological tissue. In this context, OYSTER offers standardised protocols for multi-technique, multi-scale characterisations of adhesion and interfacial phenomena using advanced nano-scale contact mechanics characterisation methods, such as nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It will establish new international standard protocols and reference materials for standardisation of the micro/nano-scale analysis of adhesion and interfacial phenomena in particular through collaboration and activities together with the European Materials Characterisation Council (EMCC), European Materials Modelling Council (EMMC) and European Pilot Production Network (EPPN).
The following specific objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) ensure that its excellent scientific and technical ambitions translate pragmatically into high growth potentials, especially for the industrial partners (and in particular SMEs):
•Next generation nanoindentation and AFM for adhesion measurement;
•Validation of a suite of materials modelling tools to harmonise understanding of adhesion across multiple length scales;
•Development and wide dissemination of an Open Innovation Environment (OIE) web platform for the establishment of a wider manufacturing/modelling/ characterisation network linked with stakeholder platforms such as EMMC, EMCC, and EPPN;
•Development of novel open and adaptable metadata structures for design, characterisation and modelling;
•Development of surface enhanced materials for Optronics (THALES), contact lenses (Nanoforce) and superhydrophobic coatings (FUNCOATS) ;
Technical success indicators (KPIs), related to the objectives presented above.
•TRL6 Innovative hardware/software solutions for quantitative adhesion measurements by contact mechanics;
•Discrete and continuum adhesion models validated on reference materials to guarantee industry acceptance and interoperability;
•Data framework based web platform (OIE) facilitating access of characterisation and modelling ;
•EMMO for nanoindentation;
•TRL6 demonstration for developed materials and coatings.
Work performed
Overall, the achieved results demostrate that the activities in the project are very well aligned with the Description of Action (DoA).
Here is a brief synthesis of the main achieved results within the five technical WPs:
WP2:
•Literature survey, guidelines and procedure for sample cleaning for both AFM and nanoindentation experiments was developed;
•Nanoindentation and AFM testing protocols were prepared and delivered to partners;
•Quantitative and reliable results were obtained by all partners on a series of samples produced within WP5.
WP3:
•Final MODA schemes have been published on EMMC website and submitted as a deliverable D3.1;
•A research proposal was APPROVED, to get 4 million of computational hours was completed and submitted to CINECA through the Italian Super Computing Resource Allocation (ISCRA) B;
•POLITO has carried out MD simulations to simulate water contact angle and nano-indentation (snap-in) on bare and coated surfaces.
WP4:
•The structure of the Open Innovation Environment was presented during the recent EMCC and EMMC plenary meetings;
•The sharing action of CHADA has started, under the EMCC umbrella and guidance of Oyster’s project officer;
•Oyster has opened a community on ZENODO, where the developments of CHADA are published and updated continuously: https://zenodo.org/communities/oyster/?page=1&size=20
•A scientific article on CHADA has been published: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2019.100541
WP5:
•The partner THALES has already complete FIVE different batches of sample production, and an overall number of EIGTH samples were shipped to all partners;
•Partner IWM already produced and delivered two generations (two different length scales) of 3D printed nano-architected hydrophobic meta-surfaces;
•Five different types samples were produced and delivered by Funcoats to all partners;
WP6:
•Project logo, leaflet and website and social accounts were realized (www.oyster-project.eu, www.twitter.com/Oyster_H2020 - www.facebook.com/ProjectOyster);
•The first deliverabl on the technology monitoring report was submitted.
•Delivered preliminary Exploitation Plan, including Business Model.
•Creation of an Online Platform for the integration of the DMP with CHADA.
Final results
In the first 18 months of the project, THREE main innovations have been already demonstrated by tangible and quantifiable results:
1. Development and optimization of functionalized nanopatterned super-hydrophobic materials– here, the innovation is to play with both surface nano-architecture (nano-patterning) and chemical functionalization to achieve stable super-hydrophobic behavior over large areas.
2. The development of CHADA, which consist of a novel metadata structure to collect in an efficient way data and information related to characterization methodologies. CHADA is now at the stage of spreading and practicing among different NMBP characterisation projects.
3. The planned structure Open Innovation Environment (OIE), a web-platform for sharing knowledge, instrumentation among the characterisation stakeholders, mainly aimed at making more efficient the interaction between companies and
As a demonstration of the achieved innovation, here is a synthetic list of the main progresses beyond the state of the art:
1. Developed experimental protocol and already obtained quantitative results for Nanoindentation and AFM surface-free-energy measurements on all nanopatterned and reference samples;
2. Thales and FUNCOATS already went through several iterations that led to the production of demonstrators that already show outstanding superhydrophobic behaviour;
3. The MODA of our project has been submitted to EMMC, according to DoA;
4. The first concept of CHADA has been published and the sharing action among many NMBP Eu project (though EMCC) has started: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2019.100541
5. FIVE Open-Access papers with OYSTER acknowledgement were already published on international peer reviewed journals, as reported in the participant portal;
6. Oyster has participated, acting as invited speaker and/or event organiser to all the main EU-NMBP, EMCC and EMMC recent events:
70. The OYSTER project has been highlighted on the evening edition of main public Italian news (TG1 – RaI1): http://www.rai.it/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-d1f3c1ac-2d6b-463e-a31f-134d66929563-tg1.html
The structure of the OIE environment was specifically designed to be directly and deeply interconnected with a number of European active actions and clusters (EMCC, EMMC, EPPN, CFPS, NSC). This, together with a clear business plan, dedicated business models, Life Cycle Cost Analysis of developed techniques and specifically allocated resources, will guarantee all maintenance aspects (costs, responsible organisation, hardware/software upgrades) of the OIE well beyond the lifetime of the project.
Website & more info
More info: http://www.oyster-project.eu/.