EUSMI has significantly contributed to the integration of European soft matter science with worldwide impact which is demonstrated by a number of registered users larger than 1500 from various research fields spanning from theoretical physics with biomedical disciplines. Further, the fraction of industry TA usage in EUSMI has become an order of magnitude larger than in traditional infrastructure projects.
Building networks across scientific disciplines, connecting different research methodologies and bridging academia with industry will have long-lasting synergy effect on soft matter research and thus consolidate Europe’s leading position in a field which, in the light of developing soft nano-technology, biophysical and biomedical applications, will become more and more important in the future.
The substantial industry participation in all EUSMI activities is fostering understanding of soft matter properties among industrial researchers. In the long run, this will result in a more effective use of resources and increased environmental sustainability through increasing the capability for knowledge-based rational design of materials and products.
Transnational access activities
EUSMI enabled also non-expert users to acquire, thoroughly analyse, and interpret data at a specialist level. The single entry point to a multitude of installations enabled using different instruments to tackle a scientific problem as exemplified by industrial users who had conducted experiments at different EUSMI infrastructures.
Further, EUSMI could attract new user communities. A number of biophysical and medical problems could be tackled with the aid of EUSMI facilities. The fraction of successful applications for access with industrial (co-)authorship was 18%. This will in the long-term enhance the potential for sustainable innovation of European industries, enabling them to reinforce or improve their position in the global market.
Joint research activities
By harmonizing efforts within the JRA, competences were bundled, internal competition was reduced and multiple work avoided. Further, cross-disciplinary collaboration led to mutual fertilization, which in combination with a high participation of industrial partners leads to fast knowledge transfer and increase innovation potential.
The major impact of JRA is scientific or technological by nature. Newly developed tools allow the analysis of systems, which was impossible before the start of EUSMI. New synthesis routes to soft offers the community a variety of compounds and material with so far unimagined properties. This comprises novel organic/inorganic hybrid materials with potential applications in theranostics.
Networking activities
EUSMI trained young scientists which increased their competence, their career options and their employability. In turn employers will benefit from a pool of well-trained potentials with thorough knowledge in soft matter science. The participation of industrial partners ensured the consideration of the industrial dimension of research and training. Therefore, EUSMI training and education activities help to bridge the industry-academia gap in a field where a high level of innovation is expected in the coming years.
EUSMI “popular science” videos were produced, to spark the interest of the general public and expand the impact of EUSMI. The EUSMI/JuLab experimental brochure and a classroom science competition were launched addressing high school students. Their awareness of soft matter was raised and they were potentially interested to choose a career path in science or technology. Further, they learned about the international dimension of research, potentially inspiring them to think beyond their own nationality and to study languages.
The data repository platform (DRP) is a tool for data exchange and collaboration. It contains a plug-in allowing the upload of data to the EUSMI Zenodo community where it will be stored permanently. We are confident that this be exploited by academic and industrial researchers. Consequently, EUSMI activities will cause significant socio-economic impact in the future.
