Area

The research area is Polymer Technology in a chain-of-knowledge approach, viz. from molecules to advanced products (at demonstrator level).

Mission

To be a leading polymer technology group that creates and understands polymer structures in order to develop in a chain-of-knowledge approach advanced polymer systems and devices (at demonstrator level).

Charter

The focus of the group SKT is on fundamental Science & Engineering of Polymers & Composites.

Further development of concepts into products has been split-off into a separate R&D company, directly linked to SKT (PTG) : Polymer Technology Group-Eindhoven BV, see website: www.ptgeindhoven.nl , or via the new venturing programs as part of a student education program (graduation projects) on new business creation.

Within our charter we claim that that we can manipulate and trace the fate of a polymer molecule from its birth in the reactor towards its final destiny and function in the system (device, product) by making use of modern analytical tools and advanced processing equipment.

Philosophy

Polymer Science & Engineering is the paradigm of a multi-disciplinary area. The path from monomer via polymer to functional materials and products travels through various disciplines. Polymer Science is a relatively young branch of Materials Science, viz. the concept of a polymer chain was postulated only 70 years ago and the synthetic polymer industry started during World War II. Consequently, not all elements in the 'chain-of-knowledge', viz. the various disciplines, are equally well developed. Polymer science was founded by chemists who developed numerous synthetic polymer structures and architectures. The (ultimate) properties of synthetic polymers, however, are not only dictated by the chemical structure but equally well by chain orientation and morphology. A striking example in this respect is the simple synthetic polymer:polyethylene, which is used to produce flexible packaging materials but also is the base material for the strongest fibre in the world. The successful design of novel and improved polymeric materials and products requires an integrated approach and a profound understanding of the various disciplines met en route.

polymer technology within EPL
polymer technology; nucleus for DPI
a centre of expertise; PTG Eindhoven