POLYSURF · Development of smart polymer surfaces

Final Activity Report Summary - POLYSURF (Development of Smart Polymer Surfaces)

The overall objective of the project was to increase the knowledge, research quality and overall RTD capability of the host Institute in the area of nano/macro-scale modification and/or functionalisation of fibre forming polymers in order to create smart and/or tailored surface characteristics based on the multi-functionality. Accordingly, the project was transferred the knowledge in (WP1) innovative biotechnological (enzymatic), green-chemical and physical (plasma) catalysis tools, or their combination, for activation of polymer surface chemistry being able subsequently to bind differently engineered smart colloidal (WP2) micro- or hydro-gels, (WP3) nano-micro-(en)capsulated substances, and (WP4) polymer multi-layers surface coating(s). In addition, new knowledge was generated to understand technologies and methods (functionalisation principles) for highly specific covalent anchoring of the required compounds, colloidal particles and coating layers to the natural and synthetic fibre surfaces, as well as for their bio-chemical functionalisation. The knowledge to understand the factors influencing the smart properties of materials, i.e. the quality, durability and permeability of gels, capsules and coating layers on fibre-based material surfaces, have been generated by employing advanced analysis techniques and methods. The new technological processes that have been created can be exploited either to enhance the bulk properties of the existing products for better performance, or to develop new high value-added and/or knowledge-based innovative materials, mainly in the area of technical textiles, such as medical, therapeutic, hygienic and protective textiles. Thus, industry personnel have been implemented in some of the training activities, and new associative projects submitted in order to strengthen the position of textile and textile-oriented companies, dealing with rapid change and growing competition of their products. According to the diversity of the knowledge and expertise that has been transferred through various module-based teaching courses and supervisions being undertaken mainly by incoming recruited more experience researchers (MERs) and research activities being implemented by hosted post-doc researchers (experienced researchers, ERs) in cooperation with actual researchers/students at the host, the project was build a highly multidisciplinary scientific group, cutting across different established research areas, i.e. textile chemists, physical chemists, biological catalysts and colloidal engineers. Specific experiment dedicated training activities of outgoing seconded researchers to the pre-defined partner research organisations have additionally brought an important step to broaden the scientific activities of the host as well as initiated future collaborative research activities which have been implemented through new project proposals and will be continued in the future.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union