Topic 4
Innovative functional materials with defined architectures

The scope of topic 4 encompasses the development of materials and material systems possessing defined architectures (in terms of scale, complexity, hierarchy, arrangement, hybrid or (nano)composite structures, etc.), which confer specific characteristics (mechanical, physical, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, optical, biological, etc.) leading to desired functionalities.

Examples of functionalities include (but are not limited to) conductivity, transport characteristics, reactivity, adaptability, bio-integration, enhanced structural performance, stimuli-responsive behaviour, etc. Projects may address the design, synthesis, processing (including additive manufacturing) and integration of these materials into functional components. Smart systems with sensing, actuation, adaptive or self-healing capabilities, materials for extreme environments, and novel lightweight solutions are within the scope.

Notwithstanding the above, proposals primarily targeting clean mobility or focused on application areas covered in other topics must be submitted to those topics. Proposals should also consider the transversal aspects listed below.

The overall objective of this topic is to develop innovative materials with structural, optical, magnetic, electrical or thermal responses for functions across sensing, health, and/or structural applications (e.g. self-healing materials, low dimensional materials enabling novel functions, bio-based materials, catalyst materials, photonics materials). Some specific examples include:

• Design of metamaterials, heterostructures, hierarchical structures or topologies with unconventional responses.
• Development of smart materials (textiles, composites, packaging materials, etc.) that include sensing, detection, self-monitoring, adaptation or actuation functions.
• Development of biocompatible, antimicrobial or bioactive materials / materials architectures for healthcare or agricultural applications.
• Design of materials for smart, energy efficient, and / or sustainable buildings and construction (thermal insulation, thermal management, alternative materials, etc.).
• Design of materials for efficient separation, liquid / gas purification and storage.
• Development of advanced composites, lightweight and hybrid materials with enhanced strength- or stiffness-to-weight ratios and / or functionalities.
• Enhanced durability of materials under harsh or extreme conditions (impact, combustion, high temperatures, pressures, radiation, aggressive media, etc.).

Inclusion of one or more of the following cross-cutting aspects would be considered a strength:

• New strategies to replace toxic or critical raw materials (CRM)
• Application of green, safe and sustainable fabrication techniques
• Improved end-of-life strategies: separation, repairability, disassembly and recyclability
• Development of scalable processing routes to ensure cost-effective manufacturability and application-specific integration
• Development of additive manufacturing (AM) strategies to produce tailored architectures with improved performance and reduced waste
• Use of computational modelling / simulation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), or advanced data management tools to accelerate materials design, behaviour prediction, characterization, development, manufacturing or system optimisation 

Proposals should address how they will contribute to the expected impact of the topic, addressing at least two of the following aspects:

• Support European industry through technological developments addressing unmet needs.
• Enhance competitiveness by improving performance, reducing costs, optimising production processes, or supporting sustainability and circular economy.
• Strengthen European research efforts and workforce training focused on functional materials that address new societal and industrial challenges.
• Improve citizens' well-being by providing sustainable functional materials enabling more powerful technological solutions.

 The proposal impacts should be substantiated with key performance indicators. All proposals should clearly state the TRL at the project start and at the project end. The proposals based on original and innovative approaches may start with TRL 1. The proposals should include a plan for the transition to higher TRLs at a later stage (i.e., beyond the project end date). Those projects could include an LCA elaborated in collaboration with the industrial partners. 

M-ERA.NET requires that all proposers explain how their projects demonstrate a commitment to RRI by investigating and addressing the environmental, social, ethical, political, or cultural dimensions of the proposed research.

In line with the M-ERA.NET RRI annex, proposals should consider the following points:

• Resources: use of resources overall, the environmental properties of the materials, the use of critical raw materials, energy, water, etc.
• Green-production-processes: use of environmentally friendly solvents, avoiding hazardous elements, substances of concern, minimizing energy and water consumption during production and preserving worker’s health
• Use phase: sustainability of the conditions under which the material can be used (releases to the environment, life span, etc.).
• End-of-life: entry of the material into the circular economy, including re-use, re-manufacturing or recycling considerations.
• Involvement of relevant societal stakeholders as appropriate

Proposals should describe potential trade-offs between sustainability burdens and benefits, and include an activity where relevant aspects are further investigated, potentially with corresponding impacts on the design of the material(s).

This topic is targeted at all groups: disruptive research, applied research, industrial research and development. In proposals targeting TRL 4 and higher, industrial partners and at least one project partner specialised on customer or end-user demands should be involved in the project consortium. Collaboration between research entities and industrial partners is encouraged at lower TRLs.

Projects submitted to this topic should choose at least 3 keywords from the following list:

2D materials; Acoustic properties; Additive manufacturing; Bio-based materials; Biocompatible; Biological applications; Bio-mimetic; Carbon fibres; Casting; Catalysis; Ceramic matrix composite; Concrete; Controlled release; Construction / building materials; Covalent adaptable network; Degradability; Eco-design; Elastomer; Electrical properties; Electro- / photochromic materials; Energy-efficient processes; Fibre; Filler; Fire safety; Geopolymer; Healthcare; Heterostructures; Innovative alloys; Joining; Laser processing; Low-dimensional materials; Magnetic properties; Mechanical properties; Membranes; Metal matrix composite; Metal-organic frameworks; Metamaterials; Modelling / simulations; Nanomaterials; Natural materials; Networks / gels; Optical properties; Photonic properties; Piezo- materials; Plasma processing; Plasmonics; Polymer matrix composite; Polymers; Porous materials; Printing; Processing technologies; Quantum materials; Recyclability; Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD); Self-healing; Sensing; Solvent-free processing; Thermal properties; Thermoplastic; Thermoset; Topological structures; Triboelectric; Tribological properties; Upcycling; Weight reduction / lightweighting.

General keywords (KWs) (such as Additive manufacturing / 3D printing; Durability; Nanomaterials; Recyclability…) and Additional KWs (free text) can also be chosen in the submission platform. The ensemble of the keywords should allow for an overview of the scope of the project (consider describing different aspects of the project such as: main scientific area / domain, system / property / material of interest, applications / objectives and pertinent procedures / techniques).