Using thin films of silk as templates, researchers have incorporated inorganic nanoparticles that join with the silk to form strong and flexible composite structures that have unusual optical andmechanical properties.
NAPOLEON is the abbreviation for "NAnostructured Waterborne POLymEr Films with OutstaNding Properties". Prof. J.M. Asua, University of the Basque Country, Spain is coordinator of this EU-projectwhich involves 13 academic partners and 7 companies. He comments on the progress that has been made so far and possible applications of this technology platform.
NAPOLEON is the abbreviation for "NAnostructured Waterborne POLymEr Films with OutstaNding Properties”. Prof. J.M. Asua, University of the Basque Country, Spain is coordinator of this EU-projectwhich involves 13 academic partners and 7 companies. He comments on the progress that has been made so far and possible applications of this technology platform.
Radiation curing technology is known since the 1970s when the first commercial radcure products where introduced. Today the technology is well established and the perspectives for the future arebright.
Carbon nanotubes are an exciting material, says Dr. Michael Berkei, Lab-Manager Nanotechnology at Byk-Chemie GmbH. The material exhibits interesting properties and can functionalise coatings in termsof mechanical reinforcement, anti-static properties and conductivity. Carbon nanotubes tend to agglomerate, though. To achieve a high impact, the tubes need to be homogeneously distributed inside thecoating. Therefore, the right dispersion technique is needed.
As the legislation on Food Contact and Food Packaging develops it is likely that the demands on the ink makers and resin manufacturers to supply compliant products will intensify. To meet thesedemands there has to be a greater understanding of the chemistries involved and the potential to migrate.
As researchers discover new and widespread applications for stimulus-responsive microgels, known as "smart polymers”, the Zetasizer Nano system from Malvern Instruments is fast emerging as theirsystem of choice for particle characterization.
