Bent-Core Liquid Crystals & Tailored Aggregates and Nanostructures Generated Orthogonally

Europe faces the imperatives of green and digital transition, continually seeking novel nanoscale materials.

Smart soft nanomaterials, with their responsiveness to stimuli open a wide range of application to meet industrial and societal challenges, while supramolecular chemistry enables tailoring captivating architectures and functionalities.

For the goal of closing research-technology loop, BCLC-TANGO’s objective is to develop innovative functional soft materials through leveraging the orthogonal “self-assembly dancing” of bent-core molecules, with focus on BC liquid crystals and tailored aggregates and nanostructures, as well as on the exploration of suitable processing options.In this Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action, Dr.

Mašulović will receive crucial training at the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA)-University of Zaragoza, under the supervision of Prof. Maria Blanca Ros.

Fundamental approach of organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry will be used, along with modern techniques of material and nanoscience to design and synthesize novel bent-core molecules (1), to broadly characterize them exploring functional properties suitable for application (2) and increase their real applied potential through processing (3).

During 6 months of secondment at the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials, University of Heidelberg, under supervision of Prof.

Eva Blasco, she will explore a novel approach of 3D/4D printing for some of these supramolecular materials as one of the processing methods.

This project will pave the way for the development of easily manipulable smart soft nanomaterials, with tunable properties, having a far-reaching implication for industries.

In addition to promoting women education in STEM, the fellowship will have a formative and highly beneficial effect for Dr.

Mašulović enabling transition from a young researcher to a professional with a valuable set of scientific and transversal skills.