Magneto-sensitive polymers (elastomers) are novel smart materials composed of a rubber-like matrix filled with magneto-active particles. The non-linear elastic characteristics of the matrix combined with the magnetic properties of the particles allow these compounds to deform dramatically in response to relatively low external magnetic fields. The rapid response, the high level of deformations achievable, and the possibility to control these deformations by adjusting the external magnetic field, make these materials of special interest for the novel design of actuators for a fascinating variety of technological applications. It is the overall objective of this proposal to uncover the process-microstructure-properties relations of the emerging novel multi-scale, multi-physics material class of magneto-sensitive polymers with the aim to better exploit its promising potential for future, currently unimagined technological applications. This objective will only be achieved by performing integrated multi-disciplinary research in fabrication, characterisation, modelling, simulation, testing and parameter identification. This project therefore sets up a work programme consisting of nine strongly interconnected work packages that are devoted to:

  • Fabrication of magneto-sensitive polymers
  • microstructure characterisation by modelling and simulation
  • microstructure characterisation by CT-scanning
  • continuum physics modelling at the micro-scale
  • computational multi-physics homogenisation
  • continuum physics modelling at the macro-scale
  • testing at the macro-scale
  • multi-scale parameter identification
  • macro-scale parameter identification.


MOCOPOLY receives funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme
ERC Grant Agreement n. 289049