Models for rational polymer production
Although a cycle of modelling and experimentation is a well-established method to rapidly advance numerous fields, the multidisciplinary training required for a scientist to be able to do both is often lacking. Efficiency decreases when computer scientists without adequate knowledge of the specific field are recruited to do model development. Polymer science is an important economic pillar of the EU, yet large-scale production of commodity polymers is increasingly shifting to overseas. To combat intense competition from Asia and the United States, an early training network was formed with EU support of the project 'Hybrid models for tailoring nano-architectures of polymers' (NANOPOLY). The project combined the strengths of applied mathematics and software engineering with macromolecular chemistry and reaction engineering to educate a new generation of scientists who can bridge the gap. Training focused on the ability to develop advanced models and software tools to predict the effects of production processes on the nano-architecture of polymers. The tools will enable the design of processes and materials for high-quality products with tailor-made functions. Some algorithms have been integrated into the commercial software platform PREDICI and experiments have been carried out to validate results. NANOPOLY's success is obvious in its publications in internationally renowned scientific journals as well as by the awards the doctoral theses have garnered and the positions the researchers have obtained. The tools will form a lasting legacy, providing enhanced understanding of branching and cross-linking in polymer networks for rational production process design. The scientists themselves are valuable human capital, investment in whom ensures continued momentum and a leadership position for the EU in a huge global market sector.
Keywords
Polymer, training network, hybrid models, nano-architectures, process design
