Better prospects for nano-structured polymers
Networks of Excellence (NoE) in the EU are common in all fields of science, supporting the European Research Area (ERA) considerably. One enterprising initiative in this respect is the ECNP, established in 2006 by the European NoE NANOFUN-POLY. Against this backdrop, the EU-funded ECNP-GROWTH (Consolidation of the European Centre for Nanostructured Polymers) project worked to strengthen the relationship between the ECNP and the polymer nanotechnologies sector in Europe. It organised different activities in line with the industry's requirements in terms of research projects, technical services, life-cycle assessment, relevant training, technology transfer and the use of infrastructure. This involved a new financial plan to expand the different activities by covering industrial technologies related to the main application sectors addressed by ECNP. More specifically, the project team established an ECNP roadmap on knowledge transfer at conferences and workshops with industrial researchers, promoting visits to industries, staff mobility and staff exchanges. Another roadmap outlined the commercial use of research facilities, tools and platforms by the industry, while a third espoused training industrial researchers and high-level students in the field. Lastly, a fourth roadmap encouraged research, development and innovation within the industry. The roadmaps were revisited regularly throughout the lifetime of the project and adapted where necessary. In this vein and in a financially viable manner, ECNP-GROWTH ensured long-term participation of relevant industrial partners in the activities of the ECNP. The improved coordination and interaction with the industry strengthened research and innovation on polymer nanotechnologies and led to better structuring of the ERA in nano-structured polymers. More European innovation in science and technology is expected to emerge from this endeavour.
Keywords
Nano-structured polymers, Networks of Excellence, European Research Area, nanotechnologies, technology transfer
