Diagnostic agents are currently injected into the body in an uncontrolled way and visualized using non-real-time imaging modalities. Delivering agents close to the organ and magnetically guiding them to the target would permit a myriad of novel diagnostic and therapeutic options, including on-site pathology and targeted drug delivery. Such an advance would truly revolutionize minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Presently MIS often involves manual percutaneous insertion of rigid needles. These needles deviate from their intended paths due to tissue deformation and physiological processes. Inaccurate needle placement may result in misdiagnosis or ineffective treatment. Thus, the goal of ROBOTAR is to design a robotic system to accurately steer flexible needles through tissue, and enable precise delivery of agents by magnetically guiding them to a designated target. There are several challenges: 3D models describing the evolving needle shape are not available, real-time control of flexible needles using 3D ultrasound (US) images has not been demonstrated, and US-guided tracking of magnetic agents has not been attempted. These challenges will be overcome by using non-invasively (via US) acquired tissue properties to develop patient-specific biomechanical models that predict needle paths for pre-operative plans. Intra-operative control of flexible needles with actuated tips will be accomplished by integrating plans with data from US images and optical sensors. Ultrafast US tracking methods will be coupled to an electromagnetic system to robustly control the agents. A prototype will be evaluated using microrobots and clusters of nanoparticles in scenarios with realistic physiological functionalities. The knowledge gained will be applicable to a range of flexible instruments, and to an assortment of personalized treatment scenarios. This research is motivated by the existing need to further reduce invasiveness of MIS, minimize patient trauma, and improve clinical outcomes.

Autonomous motion and adaptability of microorganisms in fluids are hallmark features of living systems, fueling the emergence of active matter within the realm of soft matter physics. Notably, micron-sized synthetic self-propelled particles (SPPs) have emerged as a distinct class within this domain due to their unique ability to convert internal energy into directed motion, making them ideal models for studying inherently out-of-equilibrium systems. However, a significant challenge persists: the majority of existing synthetic SPPs are ill-suited for probing the governing principles of emergent collective behaviors observed in living systems, such as swarming, active turbulence, and living clusters, particularly in 3D real space. The ultimate aim of SynthAct3D is to pioneer a paradigm shift, transitioning synthetic active matter from the familiar territory of 2D experiments towards the uncharted terrain of 3D materials with advanced functionalities. This fundamentally driven, experiment-centric proposal seeks to unravel the core mechanisms behind emergent phenomena observed in living systems, employing entirely synthetic units. SynthAct3D focuses on two complementary goals, anchored in a novel experimental framework that combines innovative SPP designs, rigorous characterization, and high-speed confocal imaging: I. Phase behavior a. Investigate the influences of dimensionality (2D Vs 3D) and particle shape on the emergence of self-organization, both structurally and dynamically. b. Elucidate the role of particle propulsion and the microscopic nonequilibrium dynamics in dictating the macroscopic behavior of SPPs in 3D. II. Active materials a. Design reconfigurable 3D active materials (e.g. shape-shifting, and glasses) This research is expected to yield unprecedented insights into internally powered systems in 3D, paving the way for a new class of internally driven materials with applications in reconfigurable soft materials.

Lipid-coated microbubbles are fascinating objects rich in nonlinear dynamics. They are used in medicine as ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) to visualize organ perfusion. The contrast enhancement results from their ultrasound-driven oscillations, which produce a powerful echo. The echo response is sensitive to ambient pressure and the microbubble surroundings so that bubbles have potential sensing capabilities that reach far beyond their current use as contrast agents. However, UCAs contain microbubbles non-uniform in size (1-10 μm diameter) and in shell properties. The resulting ill-defined echo inhibits game-changing applications such as non-invasive pressure sensing and molecular sensing using functionalized bubbles that bind to diseased cells. Microfluidics allows controlled formation of mono-sized bubbles. However, even the echo response of mono-sized bubbles is heterogeneous due to uncontrolled shell properties. I aim to go beyond size-control and enable the microfluidic formation of functional mono-acoustic bubbles with a tuned and predictable acoustic response. The challenge is to bridge the gaps between fluid dynamics, colloid and interface science, interface rheology, and acoustics to unravel the coupled problem of microfluidic bubble-shell formation and ultrasound-driven bubble dynamics in the bulk and near or targeted to a wall. To reach this goal, we will develop highly controlled lab experiments at the sub-microsecond and sub-micrometer level, together with simulations and theory development. The ultimate goal is a physics-based parametrization of the acoustic bubble response as a function of shell formulation, microfluidic control parameters, diffusive gas exchange effects, and targeted molecular binding of the bubble to a boundary.

The increasing technologization of society, combined with the transition to renewable energy sources, requires materials and architectures that can handle and retrieve large amounts of data on short time scales and with minimal power consumption. As a result, piezoelectric materials have attracted significant research interest. However, lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectric materials currently cannot match the performance of traditional lead-based Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 materials. The MoBaFi project aims to address the challenge of enhancing the piezoelectric response and increasing the Curie temperature of lead-free BaTiO3-based materials. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for improving performance and advancing applications. The scientific approach of the MoBoFi project will focus on developing sophisticated compositional and microstructural modifications in BaTiO3-based films, along with an understanding of the relationship between microstructure-property via in situ characterizations. This project facilitates a two-way and transdisciplinary transfer of knowledge between (1) the applicant’s expertise in the chemical solution deposition (CSD) method and ex situ microstructural characterization, (2) the strong expertise of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method and in situ ferroelectric characterization at the research group of University of Twente (Host, Supervisor Prof. Gertjan Koster), and (new) the applicant’s own trajectory in building expertise in in situ microstructural characterizations. A secondment will take place at two departments of Ghent University (Prof. Klaartje De Buysser and Prof. Stefaan Cottenier) for size-controlled nanocrystal synthesis and computational screening of ABO3 perovskites. This MSCA-PF will certainly contribute to training the applicant in new scientific and transferable skills, enhancing the career perspectives to become an independent and mature researcher in the EU in the near future.