Joint initiative for polymer nano-strucure design The development of advanced polymers requires specialised equipment and expertise. Toward this end, EU-funded scientists developed a virtual laboratory to effectively share resources and position the EU as a world leader in a growing global market. Industrial Technologies © Thinkstock Polymers including plastics are the fundamental building blocks of innumerable materials ranging from beverage containers and electronics to high-tech aerospace and biomedical devices. With the advent of nanotechnology, scientists are now tailoring polymer properties at the nano scale (less than 100 nanometres or 100 billionths of a metre). Exciting possibilities exist for potential applications of nano-structured polymers. However, in order to tailor structure to desired function, advanced characterisation methods are required. Such methods and the expertise needed to apply and interpret them are often lacking at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the field. A primary reason for this is prohibitive costs. A consortium of 15 partners from 10 European countries joined forces to boost European research and development (R&D) in the fields of polymeric packaging, textiles and membranes. The EU-funded project 'Setting up research intensive clusters across the EU on characterisation of polymer nanostructures' (NAPOLYNET) provided the framework. Recognising the power in numbers, NAPOLYNET set out to develop a large network with connections at the regional, national and international levels. Creation of the European Open Laboratory (EOL), boasting the latest and best characterisation methods and expertise, was a major accomplishment of this project. The EOL, accessible on the project website (see http://www.napolynet.eu) promotes networking and provides strategies for characterisation, standardisation and safety grouped in seven fields of competencies. Through easy-to-use links to specific areas of expertise, one can find contacts according to specific fields of research and the methodology and equipment they employ. In this way, it also facilitates transnational access to advanced measurement techniques and equipment. Numerous joint publications, submission of joint project proposals and invited presentations at international conferences all attest to the success of NAPOLYNET. In addition, submission of a much needed calibration standard for temperature calibration of fast-scanning calorimeters nicely complements an existing ISO (International Organization for Standardization) protocol. NAPOLYNET has made a tremendous contribution to the structure–function characterisation of nano-structured polymers for packaging, textiles and membranes. Its living legacy, the EOL, will promote coordinated and effective development to ensure EU is in leading position in the huge global market.
