The past two decades have witnessed a fertile increase in new functional materials, and in turn, hold great promise for a raft of new commercial applications involving organic/hybrid technologies. This highly interdisciplinary field is rapidly expanding, yet much of the basic interfacial science remains to be understood. Key to this realisation and future successes are an understanding of the processing and control of the numerous material interfaces that exist in contemporary optoelectronic thin-film devices. The INFORM programme offers a paradigm shift, from a material focus, to concentrate on fundamental aspects of device architectures. In this regard, expertise in interface metrology accompanied by accurate descriptions of the various processes and the subsequent impact on device operation are sought; the eventual aim being full control and understanding of processes taking place at interfaces. By training researchers in this exciting, highly multidisciplinary area, INFORM contributes to the need for skilled, knowledgeable researchers in demand upstream by materials suppliers, and downstream by device manufacturers and optoelectronics companies, as well as by printing and coating equipment manufacturers across the European union. A major challenge in achieving the requisite training environment is the breadth of disciplines required and real-world exposure to this burgeoning field. The European partners in the INFORM network are drawn from nine highly regarded academic groups, knowledgeable in multilayer device research and training; an additional four, non- academic partners, bring invaluable industrial insight, manufacturing expertise and a significant perspective over several commercial sectors. INFORMs blend of high-level scientific research and comprehensive training provides the early stage researchers with multidisciplinary know-how and hands-on skills for future careers in the further development of nanotechnology or energy, healthcare and information sectors.
