DYNACOP

DYNamics of Architecturally COmplex Polymers

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The scientific objective of DYNACOP is to obtain a fundamental understanding of the flow behaviour and the dynamics of blends of topologically complex macromolecular fluids and their role in processing and properties of blends. These materials exhibit complex dynamics and rheology and, in many cases, show hierarchical relaxation over many different timescales. This in turn affects the processing and properties of the final materials. In order to rationally design appropriate materials and processes for various technological applications, a rigorous, knowledge based approach is needed. This is especially urgent in the face of current opportunities offered by tailored molecular engineering of polymers at the industrial scale, and the proposed use of these materials in nano-structured composites for smart applications in devices, electronics ad high-performance applications. The training objective of the proposed action is to provide young post-doctoral researchers with the necessary interdisciplinary knowledge and experience in the field of soft materials properties, much needed throughout Europe, which will allow them to address some of the many scientific and technological challenges in the field. This will first and foremost be achieved through a collaborative research program and portfolio of training courses intimately linking industry and academia. To ensure fruitful collaborations, the participating research groups will work around a limited number of model systems; exchange the samples, and apply to them the techniques and/ or theoretical approaches developed in the different laboratories. The research groups are selected in order to obtain the needed synergy, as they have different backgrounds/expertise, in physics, chemical engineering, chemistry and materials science. 6 Very high profile international visiting scientists, bringing their uniques expertise to Europe, will participate in the training and research.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Polymers are virtually ubiquitous, appearing in products from electronics to patio furniture. With improved understanding of the effect of structure on dynamic behaviour, scientists can now rationally design complex architectures.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Commonly called plastics, polymers are macromolecular compounds.

Improving the properties of plastics is largely dependent on enhanced understanding of the rheological behaviours of complex macromolecular fluids during processing.A large European consortium launched the EU-funded project 'Dynamics of architecturally complex polymers' (https://eudoxus.leeds.ac.uk/dynacop/ (DYNACOP)) to extend the current modelling framework to branched species and unlock the industrial potential of current molecular design tools.

In addition, with multidisciplinary training of early-stage and experienced researchers, the project sought to strengthen the EU position in polymer technology.Three main topics were the focus of research and fruitful collaboration.

These consisted of synthetic chemistry, experimental methods and theory/simulation.

Partners synthesised numerous polymeric architectures, including various star formations.

Careful characterisation of rheological properties will facilitate their processing as the building blocks of new products with novel properties.

Novel experimental methods were used to characterise the behaviours of the supramolecular polymers and relate structure to processing parameters and to function.

Atomistic and tube-based models of the polymers enabled predictions of behaviours and provided insight to previously unanswered questions.Scientific exchange was particularly intense, including participation of researchers in training courses, summer schools and workshops.

In addition, researchers participated in an international scientific workshop organised through the project as well as two industrial workshops hosted by partners.

A final networking conference hosted presentations by the early-stage researchers, demonstrating not only their scientific achievements but, equally important, their speaking and communication skills.DYNACOP delivered an intelligent engineering platform for rational design of supramolecular polymers based on structure, rheological properties and function.

Simultaneously, it has trained a new generation of students for careers in academic and industrial polymer science that will ensure a leading position for the EU in a strategic market sector.