Interdisciplinary Research Team Awarded Grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark
An international team of researchers based at Aarhus University and the University of Luxembourg has received funding from Independent Research Fund Denmark for the project ‘Biomimetic Neural Network-Like Materials with Adaptive Learning (BIONIMAL)’
“Early reports show materials with basic associative learning, but future advancements will require integrating more programmable modules in 3D designs. Our hypothesis proposes that 3D-printing components based on hydrogels, designed DNA assemblies, and liquid crystal elastomers can create materials that learn from stimuli, optimizing mechanical performance through adaptive actuation and damping as well as chemical signal transfer through biased diffusion.”
– Chrisitan Pascal Hirsch
The team behind BIONIMAL includes Brigitte Maria Städler and Julián Valero Moreno from the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Christian Pascal Hirsch from the Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University, and Jan Lagerwall from the Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg.
The outcome of BIONIMAL will contribute to the shift in materials science towards developing adaptive materials that respond to their environment and enhance their performance over time.
The DFF-Research Project2 gives researchers the opportunity to pursue new and important resaerch. The projects are often characterised by being coordinated and binding collaborations, and applicants must have significant, independent research experience at a high international level. Read about the grant and the projects awarded the grant in 2025 via the link below