Jia Min Chin

© Michael Reithofer

Consider a leaf, a seashell or even a butterfly wing. Such natural objects possess highly complex structures precisely organized across different scales: from the molecular, nano and micro level and extending to the macroscale, which is key to their functional performance. However, how can we, as scientists, do the same for synthetic composite materials? How can one organize and orient tiny particles or rods that are 1,000 times smaller than a grain of sand? The goal of the ERC Consolidator Grant project is to use electrical fields to direct these nano and microparticles – as a starting point for highly functional materials. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) serve as basic building blocks at the molecular level. In concrete terms, the aim is to develop improved materials for applications in the field of "green energy", e.g. a significant increase in the efficiency of various types of fuel cells.