NANOS3

"Soft, Small, and Smart: Design, Assembly, and Dynamics of Novel Nanoparticles for Novel Industrial Applications"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The proposed ITN (NanoS3) have assembled eight academic groups with complementary expertise in synthesis, modeling and characterization. They are joined by two full industrial partners active in the development of novel luminescent materials (LuminoChem), and in the home and personal care sectors (Procter and Gamble). Two associated partners will contribute to the work of our proposed network: BioTalentum is an SME in the field of stem-cell research and the Institute for Surface Chemistry (YKI) is a world-leading research institute in applied surface chemistry. Our work will focus on three priority areas of research:

• 1: Organizing Soft Nanoparticles • 2: Dynamics of Soft Nanoparticles • 3: Soft Nanoparticles at Interfaces

These S&T objectives are combined with the ambitious objectives to train and promote qualified research project managers in the field of soft matter nanoscience, capable to work in research or industry together with experts in different disciplines and in different countries. We will accomplish our goal by training early stage researchers in a wide variety of modern bulk and surface techniques, as well as in modelling and synthetic methods. We will organize a series of tutorial courses on specialized topics, organize network workshops, and implement secondments and visits. To develop the complementary skills needed to start a successful career either in academia or in R&D we will organize trainings in e.g. Project management, Proposal writing, Presentation skills, IP and patent rights and Innovation.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

More complex composite nanoparticle architectures will provide powerful building blocks for new components. Scientists are developing hierarchical structures complemented by better understanding of their dynamical behaviours during formation and use.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Polymer nanoparticles and nanocomposites are changing the face of products in numerous fields. Until now, most have had uniform or core/shell structures, and scientists have primarily characterised their equilibrium properties.

A large EU consortium of research groups, industrial partners, and small and medium-sized enterprises with cross-disciplinary expertise is creating novel hierarchical nanocomposites and studying their structural dynamics with EU support of the project http://www.nanos3.eu/home (NANOS3). The focus is on soft nanoparticles and the training and promotion of qualified research project managers for a lasting contribution to the field.

The first line of research targets development of novel synthetic routes to hierarchically structured responsive nanoparticles from synthetic and natural polymers. Important progress has already been achieved within the first reporting period. Highlights include synthesis of a number of block copolymers with controlled properties to act as building blocks and novel responsive host-guest polymers based on dextran, a natural polymer of glucose.

A single-pot synthesis method was created to prepare core/shell microgel nanoparticles. Scientists are currently studying the temporal dynamics of polymer nanoparticles, polymersomes (capsules with shells having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions), and polyelectrolyte complexes prepared during the first period.

In particular, researchers have followed the kinetics of particle formation during mixing of strongly interacting components. Insight has been gained into structural changes, aggregation and temperature responses of polyelectrolyte complexes, including those with ionic and non-ionic surfactants and block copolymers.

In addition to the dynamics of particle formation, the team is interested in interfacial dynamics critical to the structure and function of the hierarchical polymer nanocomposites. Researchers have applied advanced techniques to better understand the response kinetics, lubricating properties and non-equilibrium mechanisms in a variety of both synthetic and natural systems.

All fellows are pursuing PhDs and have benefited from two scientific training schools and two complementary training sessions organised during this reporting period. NANOS3 is enhancing EU excellence in soft matter nanoscience to enhance industrial competitiveness, create jobs, and lead to delivery of a wealth of new devices and components for numerous market sectors.