Plastic pollution is an ongoing global problem, with more than 350 million metric tons of plastic generated annually. The development of efficient methods for recycling will be crucial in transforming plastic waste into a valuable source of new materials. This proposal aims to develop a new approach to chemical recycling using mechanochemical fragmentation and functionalization of polymers, allowing to transform plastic waste into new materials. These materials will have similar mechanical properties to the original plastics while being significantly easier to recycle, thus contributing to the goals of plastic circularity.

Placeholder: This is an expression of interest of Abel-John Buchner in attending the sandpit for this NWA call. I am an assistant professor at TU Delft in fluid dynamics. I have an interest in both biological flows and wind energy. Each of these applications presents us in many ways with similar physical problems. I have deep expertise in the measurement of fluid flows, and am excited to be able to use my unique skillset to contribute to this call.

This project leverages geometric nonlinearities in flexible structures to revolutionize energy management in microrobotics, aiming to replace traditional electronics with elasticity. By optimizing the geometry of elastic materials, e.g., origami mechanisms and multistable systems, we aim to significantly reduce the number of required actuators, allowing complex robotic movements to be controlled with a simple input. This approach not only minimizes energy consumption but also enables the creation of lightweight, scalable, and autonomous microrobots, opening new possibilities for deploying these systems in a wide range of environments without the limitations of traditional power sources.

De mondiale vraag naar energie is de afgelopen decennia aanzienlijk gestegen, waarbij aan het grootste deel van deze vraag wordt voldaan door de verbranding van fossiele brandstoffen, een aanpak die zowel onhoudbaar als schadelijk is voor het milieu. Het doel van het voorgestelde werk is om computationeel materiaalontwerp te benutten om de adoptie van duurzame en hernieuwbare energiebronnen te vergemakkelijken.

The energy demand worldwide has significantly escalated in the past decades. Most of this energy demand is met by burning fossil fuels, which is unsustainable and hazardous to the environment. The goal of the proposed work is computational based materials designing to enable application of sustainable and renewable energy sources.