Materials Cap6 Draft Agenda Condense

8/11/2019 Materials Cap6 Draft Agenda Condense

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6 Materials Technology

6.1 Introduction

As the 21

st

century unfolds, it is becoming more apparent that the next technological frontiers will beopened not through a better understanding and application of a particular material, but rather by

understanding and optimizing material combinations and their synergistic function, hence blurring the

distinction between a material and a functional device comprised of distinct materials.a

The Materials Technology Section of the Technology Platform Sustainable Chemistry is a network of

stakeholders from academia, non-profit research institutes, chemical and down-stream industry

providing an industry driven strategic research agenda for the 7th Framework Programme.

Discovery of new materials with tailored properties and the ability to process them are the rate-limiting

steps in new business development in many industries. The demands of tomorrow’s technology

translate directly into increasingly stringent demands on the chemicals and materials involved, e.g.

their intrinsic properties, costs, processing and fabrication, benign health and environmental attributes

and recyclability with focus on eco-efficiency.

Materials Science deals with the design and manufacture of materials, an area in which chemistry

plays the central role; there is also considerable overlap with the field of chemical engineering,

biotechnology and physics. Substantial contributions include: modern plastics, paints, textiles and

electronic materials; but there are greater opportunities and challenges for the future.

The materials sector of the chemical sciences is vital, both fundamentally and pragmatically, for all

areas of science and technology — as well as for the needs of society in terms of energy, information

and communications technology (ICT), health care, quality of life, transportation and citizen protection

(Figure 1).

a R. A. Vaia and H. D. Wag, Materials Today, 2004, 11, 32.



Figure 1: Proposed Structure for the Materials Technology Section

Doing complete life cycle analysis on the new developed products and considering all the ecological

as well as the socio-economic components will help to ensure growth and employment in the

European Economic Area (EEA). Furthermore, material science will play an important role in

contributing to solve some emerging societal needs and to increase the quality of life of European

citizens.

Converging with the various performance demands are a suite of new technologies and approaches

that offer more rapid new materials discovery, better characterisation, more direct molecular-levelcontrol of their properties and more reliable design and simulation.

To provide the reader with a point of reference of SusChem priorities within the seventh framework

program (FP7), set up by the European Union (EU), and the variety of interactions within the

Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities sections, the following Table 1, outlines the significance of

Material Technology section. From Table 1 it is clear to perceive that CHEMISTRY and Materials

Technologies are pervasive throughout the nine thematic priorities. In certain thematic priorities there

is a major contribution to be anticipated from CHEMISTRY and Materials Technologies, while in

others the influence is not directly obvious. Within Ideas and People sections the aim is to augment

the researchers vocational prospects within the EU and in Capacities to provide input into structural

reforms for future research programs. Two important developments that fall into these categories are

the creation of a EU Materials Technology Institute and an Institute for Norms and Standards, with a

particular focus on Nanomaterials.

Table 1: The importance of Material Technologies within the Cooperation section of the EU FP7



Relevance to the Thematic Priorities (TPri) set out for EU FP7:

VERY STRONG relation to the objectives of the TPri; major contributions to solutions in the Tpri

STRONG relation to the objectives of the TPri; contributions to solutions in the TPri

relation to the objectives of the TPri; minor contributions to solutions in the Tpri

Vision

The Vision of the Materials Technology Section is:

1. To make Europe the world's leading supplier of advanced materials.2. Innovation in materials technology driven by societal needs and contributing to improved

quality of life for European citizens.

3. Accelerated identification of opportunities, in close co-operation with partner industries

down the value chain, leading to materials with new and improved properties.

4. The ability to rationally design materials with tailored macroscopic properties based on

their molecular structure.

5. Products based on integrated complex systems available by improving and combining the

benefits of traditional materials and nanomaterials.

6. Convergence of market demand and technology development creating many opportunities

for new enterprises in the materials sector (e.g. SMEs).

The focus of the Materials Technology Section is to representatively reflect the views of the

European chemical industry, academia and society within the framework of sustainable chemistry by

the building of networks connecting all relevant stakeholders (industry, small and medium sized

enterprises, NGOs and academia) in the field of materials technology.

The Tasks of Materials Technology

A further task is to provide guidelines for realising the goals and challenges set by the EU to address

the societal needs of health care, information and communications technology (ICT), energy, quality

of life, citizen protection and transportation (mobility). Three sections were identified which are

discussed in further detail in this document:

• Knowledge priorities

o Fundamental understanding of structure property relationship

o Computational material sciences

o Development of analytical techniques,

o New production processes for the scale up of laboratory synthesis for improved

materials

• Special focus on Nanotechnologies



To provide guidance in setting priorities for materials technology, a strategic assessment of the

internal and external environmental factors influencing material technology, and the related chemical

industries, was preformed in the form of a SWOT analysis (Table 2).

Table 2: Environmental Scan (SWOT analysis) pertinent to Materials Technology

SWOT

AnalysisStrength Weaknesses

Innovation • Up/Down Stream Added Value Innovation • Applied Research

• Deficit in entrepreneurship (Start-Up

companies)

Cooperation • Established Industrial Value Chain Cooperation • National Interests versus EU interests

• Sharing of ideas

Globalization • EU has strong chemical infrastructure

• Engineering Industry World Leader

• Knowledge vs. Production economy

Capacity • Research Funding

• Technology Institutes e.g. MIT, Caltech,

Silicon Valley

Environment • Eco-efficient Production

• Complete Life-cycle of products

• CO2 Reduction

•

Water recycling• Waste management

Competition • EU vs. USA, Japan & China

• Development excellence

Regulation • REACH (product criteria)

• Sustainable

• Eco-efficiency

O

p p o r t u n i t i e s

Communication • Transparency

• Responsible Care

• Education

Globalization • Global production

• Competition with low-wage economies

Innovation • Cooperation btw. Universities & SME´s

Environment • Economic damage (rehabilitation)

• Protection

Communication • Consumer concerns: e.g. GM etc.

Regulation • REACH = economic damage

• Over regulation / Bureaucracy: 25

members states = 25 Opinions

Capacity • Fragmentation of R&D Research at EU

& National level

T h r e a t s

Communication • Public perception of Chemical Industry,

new materials & products

• Environmental impact of new

processes and products

Competition • Between R&D Groups, Institutes,

Universities and SME´s

• Insufficient inter-disciplinary

cooperation

Strategies:

REACH, Environment: Life cycle analysis considering all aspects including ecological, performance,

economic, and social criteria.



6.2 Research areas

6.2.1 Fundamental understanding of Structure Property Relationship

The control and understanding of structure-property relationships (SPR) of molecular systems arecrucial for the intelligent processing of advanced materials. This is one of the unresolved problems in

materials research, particularly in the development of innovative synthetic strategies and

environmentally friendly chemical technologies. The SPR-based theoretical approach can provide

guidance and permit the reduction of costly experimental work. It is also very important for the

optimum production and process design. Over the last decade, this approach has provided an

increasingly important means of improving and optimising many kinds of materials from metals,

ceramics and superconductors to bio- and smart materials used for special applications like

microelectronics and bio-inspired catalytic systems.

a. Scope

There is a pressing industrial need to better understand complex physical-chemical and biological

phenomena relevant to the mastering and processing of multifunctional and eco-efficient materials,

providing the basis for developing novel materials with predefined physical, chemical or biological

characteristics. Industry and academia thrive in the field of connecting chemical structures with

fundamental and application properties. In many, albeit very specialized cases, the problems related

to SPR had been solved successfully. Nevertheless, in Materials Science, the SPR-based approach

has always been more qualitatively, and the efforts to gain a more general applicable insight have

collapsed due to the missing links in mathematics, high throughput experimentation and the

computation of complex data or the modelling of real materials. In all these disciplines, new features

were developed which through integration should have opened new opportunities to make materials

by design. Currently, modelling and simulation at the atomic and molecular levels can provide a basic

understanding of structure property relationship among chemical, microstructure and materialproperties, and can give us a better "unbroken chain of knowledge": from fundamental research to

applied research for materials. Breakthroughs will come not only from the new materials developed in

this field but also from the new computational approaches.

b. Research priorities

Grand-challenges that require theoretical and computational efforts include:

• The development of innovative synthetic strategies and new chemical reactions

• The modelling of catalysis and the rational design of new catalysts

• The design of advanced materials and composites (advanced high-strength/low weight

materials, etc.)• The modelling of interfaces and nano-interfaces

• The development of polymer nanostructures used as nanoreactors for metal nano-particle

formation

• The development of controlled surface-induced (template) copolymerisation processes

leading to various functional copolymers (in particular, copolymers capable of pattern

recognizing)

• The design of template nano-porous polymeric materials



• The modelling of formulations to achieve controlled functional properties

• The understanding of growth kinetics, surface grafting and modification, polymorphs, etc.

The SPR-based approach is an intrinsically multidisciplinary field that implies intimate interconnection

between Computational Materials Science, Informatics, Analysis, and Chemical Synthesis:

Figure 2: The interaction cycle for Structure-Property Relationship.

The priority categories of the SPR-based approach as applied to Sustainable Chemistry problems

include:

1. Informatics & Computational Materials Science

2. Technology Applications (related to chemistry and biology)

3. Advanced Chemical Reactions and Chemistry for New Materials

4. Evaluation and Assessment of Theory

c. Key enablers, linkages, constraints

New industrial processes and products that are based on a deep understanding of structure property

relationship, providing better quality, durability, cost effectiveness, functionality, structural properties

and improved performance, will be critical drivers of innovation in technologies, devices and systems,

benefiting sustainable development and competitiveness through multi-sector application. However,

to assure Europe's strong position in the technology market, the various actors need to be mobilized

through leading edge RTD (research, technology & development) partnerships and long-term and

high-risk research.

d. Highlights

Describe the relationship between functionality and material properties by rationales

Integrate High Throughput Analysis and Computational Materials Science

Accelerate the development of new material technologies through the efficient analysis of

experimental data and modelling and simulation



6.2.2 Computational Material Science

A major change in design and manufacturing during the past 50 years has been the growth of

(computer) simulations as a design tool. There are enormous potential opportunities for modelling and

simulation to impact on numerous important industrial and scientific problems involving the materials

sciences, biotechnology and chemical technology. This opportunity lies in the ability to design,

characterize, and optimise materials before beginning the expensive experimental processes of

synthesis, characterization, processing, assembly and testing. With reliable de novo simulations on

real materials, industry could save enormously by cutting years off development cycles, while

achieving designs that are more efficient. Moreover, such de novo design would allow efficient

consideration of completely new materials as well as cost-efficient, flexible, clean and energy-efficient

(bio-) chemical processing with improved yields, reduced waste and maximum recycling.

a. Scope

Treating processes taking place on multiple length and time scales continues to challenge theorists. It

is possible to identify two coupled forefront directions in modelling and simulation: the control of

atomic and molecular interactions and processes at the quantum level and the treatment of ever more

complex systems. An ultimate goal is the union of these two directions. The potential benefits of

realizing this long-term vision include the ability to enhance chemistry research and innovation, in

particular in the areas of biotechnology, reaction and process design and materials science, thus

leading to breakthrough chemical product and process innovations and support an increasingly

sustainable, eco-efficient and competitive industry.

A central and basic challenge is clear: The need for the quantitative prediction of properties of matter

(both "soft" and "hard") is becoming more urgent, and the absence of such a possibility is increasingly

a barrier to progress in the modern industry ranging from molecular electronics to biotechnology. The

primary fundamental challenge is to uncover the elusive connections in the hierarchy of time andlength scales and to unravel the complexity of interactions that govern the properties and

performance of advanced materials. In terms of Computational Chemistry (CC), these challenges

translate into a more specific requirement: The coupled atomistic-continuum modelling approach is

one of the primary problems associated with hierarchical simulation of materials; namely, the accurate

understanding of physical/chemical processes and behaviour from the quantum level, to nanoscale, to

mesoscale and beyond, so that phenomena captured in simulations can be applied to real complex

systems without loss of intrinsic structural information.


• Development of new techniques and models aimed at bridging the length and time scales in

computer modelling.

• Development of simulation methods for systems with specific interactions.

• Development of analytical techniques for materials research via computer modelling.

• Development of large-scale scientific applications software and new user-friendly interfaces

for computational tools.

A primary contribution from a materials simulation initiative would be to develop a capability to reliably

predict the properties of real materials. To achieve this far-reaching goal one must be able to



realistically simulate physical phenomena over a vast range of time and length scales. New

hierarchical materials modelling approaches that span multiple length and time scales and that couple

quantum mechanical methods at the atomic scale to continuum defect modelling at the micron scale

have to be used in this area. The focal points of Computational Chemistry are:

• more reliable design and simulation;

• accelerated discovery of new nanostructured and multifunctional materials;

• improving and developing new theoretical and computational approaches

• connecting theory and simulation with experiment.


By its very nature, Computational Chemistry is an intrinsically multidisciplinary field that involves

multiple length and time scales as well as the combination of types of materials and molecules that

have been traditionally studied in separate sub disciplines. This means that fundamental methods that

were developed in separate contexts will have to be combined and new ones invented. This is the key

reason why an alliance of investigators in Computational Chemistry with those in applied mathematics

and computer science will be necessary to the success of theory, modelling and simulation. A new

investment in theory, modelling and simulation should facilitate the formation of such alliances and

teams of theorists, computational scientists, applied mathematicians and computer scientists.

d. Highlights

Develop new computational tools to describe the fundamental material properties

Develop computational methods that bridge the length-time scales

Develop new empirical methods to describing mixing and diffusion effects

Develop new computational methods for formulations:

Nanocomposites, real interfaces and biological systems



6.2.3 Development of Analytical Techniques

One of the essential prerequisites for the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of any

new material technology lies in the availability of techniques which allow for the characterisation of the

physical, chemical or biological properties inherent to these materials, at any stage from the

exploratory work through to production process. Furthermore the behaviour of these materials under

various chemical and physical conditions, their distribution within environmental domains (e.g. soil,

water and air) and their interaction with the biosphere (e.g. human etc .) need to be elucidated.

There exists to date a considerable ensemble of detection and characterisation methods, but these

are limited in their scope of application. Keeping the key challenges in mind, the needs of the

analytical chemist can be divided, loosely, into three categories:

a) Single molecule/entity characterization

b) High-volume through-put fast analysis

c) Analysis of nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials themselves can be highly interesting as potential analytical tools, particularly if they

provide sensitivity and selectivity towards a defined range of analytes. The focus lies in developing

chemical sensors, which can be applied to both environmental tasks and industrial process control.

Both are key topics in increasing economical sustainability.

a. Scope

Extend the capabilities of current analysis methods to achieve nanoscale determinations of

substances; to design and implement efficient high-throughput mechanisms; develop common

standards and to move forward towards “smart” production process and environmental hazard

monitoring.

There are two main challenges, which (need to) can be addressed within the next round of EU

Framework Program projects:

To conclusively, efficiently and rapidly identify/characterize any new

material technology, and describe its inherent property, whether at the

nano-, micro-, meso- or macro- scale .

To assess the analytical ability of any new material in terms of

recognition ability, and it’s potential application for separation,

detection or chemical sensing.

These are bold statements, but are reasonably achievable, when one considers how rapid the

development in analytical methods has proceeded in recent years. These developments need to be

encouraged, as the analysis of materials lies at the heart of any process whether it is for quality

control or the elucidation of a new compounds structure.

Analytical chemistry provides an understanding of the nature of a material through the

characterization of its structure, the measurement of its physical parameters, and the observations of



its interaction with other materials and/or environments. The information gleaned in this manner,

cannot only be used in the development of further new materials, but also in developing new-targeted

analytical methodologies. Therefore those charged with the task of promoting advancement in

analytical techniques should not only include academics specialising in analytical methods and small-

medium-enterprise’s (SME) who provide analytical services and instruments, but also those

researchers working on the frontier of new material technology research and agencies that are

responsible for establishing norms and standards. Conceivably these parties could combine their

input and expertise into the creation of analytical technique competence centres.

Europe has a strong position within these fields, as it hosts both excellent academic research groups

within the field, a strong chemical and microelectronic industry providing analytical tasks as well as

novel transducer technologies and – last but not least – a range of SME’s that actually are willing and

capable to bring chemical sensor systems to the market.


• Development of new single molecule/entity characterization techniques

• Development of new High-volume through-put fast analysis techniques

• Development of techniques for the analysis and detection of nanomaterials

• Provide a framework for the promotion of the development of norms and standards

• Extend current instrumental methods to higher degrees of sensitivity and efficiency

• Develop hybridized instrumental methods to facilitate rapid analysis

• Develop new instrumental methods for the analysis of emerging material technologies

• Develop new efficient automated processes for sampling and analysis

• Development within continuous synthesis and analysis


The European community has a very strong chemical industry, with strong innovation skills and

leading competences in various fields including Nanotechnology, and it has a first class academic

research community. Both industry and academia can become key enablers for sustainable

chemistry, whereby infrastructural measures have to be taken to close the communication gap

between both parties. The European community furthermore needs to create a common quality

control and standards organisation, with emphasis on the standardization of nanotechnology analysis.

d. Highlights

Pattern/Cluster recognition systems for high-volume through-put analysis

Nanomaterials as self-sensors/analytes

Large scale efficient quality control (QC) of nanoscale structures (e.g. coatings)



6.2.4 From Laboratory Synthesis to Large Scale Manufacturing

Materials have to be much smarter

Where do materials/electronics/biology meet?

Materials are likely to be hybrid in structure (e.g. inorganic & organic, polymers and biological etc)

a. Scope

Improving the lives of all of the citizens of Europe

Create a chemical industry renaissance by moving up the nanomaterials value chain from basic

materials synthesis to advanced systems integration.

Europe is the #1 place in the world for Synthesis and Scale up of smart and knowledge intense

materials

Generate growth in Europe by generating complex systems, make things work practically

Reproducibility, accuracy, reliability at the level of or better than todays electronic standards

Competitive edge for Europe by a systematic approach going from material synthesis, modification,

stabilization to integration in working systems and even recycling

Scale up for cost versus scale up for performance

Scale up 2020: smart synthesis + patterning = function by design (lay the groundwork today)

Scale up by transferring patterning techniques from small scale lab processes to reel-to-reel

manufacturing technologies

The major challenge is to implement nanomaterials and nanotechnologies into real world products. In

order to create these high value products, materials producers and final system integrators have to

work together in close collaborations.

Define what materials/functions are important in 2020 and beyond

Come up with "generic" topics that can be funded in the 7th frame work programme without being toospecific

Current approaches to manufacturing processes involve unit operations. Nanostructured materials

offer the possibility to combine or integrate multi-operational systems into fewer or single steps. In

both cases nanomaterials offer new challenges for manufacturing:

• Conventional technologies

• Synthesis

• Novel gas phase processes, e.g. plasma- or microwave assisted processes

• Novel wet processes, e.g. sol-gel processes

•

Dispersion and stabilization• Functionalization, in-situ

• formulation

• Integration in patterned systems

• Integration in final systems

• Step-out technologies

These new methods will evolve further, integrating process steps in fewer or even one operation:



• Self-assembly

• Self-organisation (with long range order)

• In-situ generation of nanostructured materials

To meet market demands, both conventional and step-out technologies will have to have a scalable

design for manufacturing.

Materials for: Quality of Life, Energy, Humans(in body, on body, around body), Construction,

Electronics


Improving quality of life for citizens in Europe by integrating

• Material science

• Innovative manufacturing technologies

• Consumer product design

creating new disruptive market opportunities

Advance Europe’s Chemical industry’s competitiveness ’ by creating differentiated and

manufacturable products that appeal to the emotions and senses of end customers.

Functionality of products come from properties of nanoscaled materials

• Quantum effects for electronic, optical and magnetic properties at <20nm scale materials

• Enhanced physical effects at the interfaces of nanoscaled materials

• Enhanced chemical effects at the interfaces of nanoscaled materials

• Enhanced biological effects at the interfaces of nanoscaled materials

Maintaining the nanoscale and therefore these effects in downstream processes

Funding of projects with high uncertainty

Funding of projects: unmet needs of society, people, industry and practical challenges

Synthesis of ultra-pure materials

Understanding and manipulating reactions, nucleation, formation of materials

Reproducibility, accuracy, reliability at the level of or better than today’s

electronic manfucaturing standards

Quantum materials

- Make us e of “innovation toolkit” provided by quantum scale phenomena, e.g.

transport, optical, electronic and biocompatible properties

- Ensuring that their unique properties are maintained from synthesis to thefinal integrated system

Hybrid materials

- Manufacturing of hybrid products

- Molecular engineering and fabrication of complex hybrid materials

Dispersion, Modification, Functionalization of nanomaterials in large scale



Self-assembled systems

Reel to reel Manufacturing

- Flexible Functional Materials (FFMs)

- Flexible and large area electronics

- Putting light and power on any substrate , e.g. conformable solar cells

- Scale up by transferring patterning techniques from small scale lab processes to reel-to-reel

manufacturing technologies

Embedded devices and systems

- Sensing + actuating + responsive materials as basic principle

- Built-in and tiny energy supply for sensors

Scale up

- Software tools for optimising cost versus scale up for performance

- Scale up and replication methods

- Scale up 2020: smart synthesis + patterning = function by design (lay the groundwork today)- Inline and online nanometrology tools (linkage to analytics)

Development within contineous synthesis and analysis

Flexible Functional Materials (FFMs)

Flexible Electronics

Synthesis of ultra-pure materials, especially quantum materials and biological/organic/inorganic hybrid

materials

Understanding and manipulating reactions, nucleation, formation of materials

Hybrid materials manufacturing of hybrid products – i.e. High-throughput synthesis, molecular

engineering and fabrication of complex hybrid materialsBiomimetic synthesis of quantum materials

Sensing + actuating + responsive materials as basic principle

Energy supply for sensors...

Ecological effects, eco-efficiency and process safety

Crosslink to Reaction, Process and Design SRA:

2.1.5 Synthetic Concepts: Research Priorities and Roadmap

2.2.5 Catalytic Tramsformations: Research Priorities and Roadmap

2.3.5 Biotechnological Processing: Research Priorities and Roadmap

2.4.5 Process Intensification: Research Priorities and Roadmap

2.5.5 In Silico Techniques: Research Priorities and Roadmap

2.6.5 Purification and Formulation: Research Priorities and Roadmap

2.7.5 Plant Control and Supply Chain Management: Research Priorities and Roadmap


Table from R. Oliver to be included

Enabling (technologies?):

- Reel-to-reel technology, link printing and electronics



- Bottom up patterning, long range order

- Self assembly, long range order

- Directed assembly, long range ordering

- High-throughput nanometrology

Constraints:

- Societal acceptance of new manufacturing processes

- Ecological effects, eco-efficiency and process safety

Regulations (e.g. EU REACH Legislation for materials SH&E testing and Extension of FDA PAT

process control/design)

REACH as challenge (use results to contribute to it)

Societal acceptance of new manufacturing processes

Linkages:

Material sciences and manufacturing technologies under SusChem may have strong links with the

ManuFuture ETP.

Health, safety and environmental issues of nanomaterials production are addressed by the Horizontal

Issues Group:

Our hybrid materials and hybrid manufacturing technology strategy if done well will overlap into

conventional end-user consumer product manufacturing. The ManuFuture initiative for FP7 covering

the latter area is transforming into an ETP, which could potentially become a competitor. We may

need to develop a ‘win-win@ partnership strategy for working with this ETP.

General Remarks of the team

- Our strategy focussed on the long-term and some of the enabling steps on the way needed to

realise a very specific vision

- Our strategy is a balanced portfolio approach incorporating long term, medium term and quick win

opportunities

- We did not test the viability of real step out technology opportunities in the catalyst and polymerfields (e.g. real controlled architecture polymers, nanopolydispersity, quantum effect polymers etc)

d. Highlights

The production and the processing of ULTRA-pure nanomaterials

Integration of nanomaterials into continuous production processes

Health, Safety and Environmental Issues of nanomaterial production

The development and production of large scale self assembled materials, systems and

devices



6.2.5 Bio-based performance and nanocomposite materials

Bio-based performance and nanocomposite materials are polymeric materials which are produced by

or from plants, micro-organisms or other bioprocesses, and which are featured by specific

functionality based on the micro/nanostructure of the material, derived from self-organization. Other

bio-based performance and nanocomposite materials are the result of rational design of biomaterials

that utilize the principle of natural self-organizing materials. There is more and more interest in the

preparation of modified surfaces for bioadhesion, biosensing, and drug delivery. Therefore we need

multidisciplinary research, combining elements of organic and polymer synthesis, physical methods,

biotechnology and even engineering. The combination of proteins and inorganic materials, often with

specific nano-scale geometry, offers new and innovative product areas such as self-cleaning, self-

repairing and sensing products.

A variety of thin film processes and surface investigation techniques can be applied to new synthetic

materials and biotechnology oriented projects. The development of new polymers using biotechnology

is a field of research of enormous potential. Combinations of naturally occurring polymers and

biomaterials, as well as synthetic polymers and biomaterials, display a rich variety of complex

structural and dynamic behaviour. Other examples are the design of new multicomponent materials

and network polymers with materials such as chitosan derivatives and polyalkylene-glycols.

New performance and nanocomposite materials are useful to solve a number of problems that the

current European society faces:

• The high intake of relatively unspecific drugs to cure major diseases. Drugs are admitted

through the gastrointestinal tract or the blood stream but usually have to be effective at a

different place. Specific, biodegradable, nontoxic controlled delivery systems would be ideal

to carry the drug to the target and release it there and only there. This would dramatically

lower the total amount of drug intake needed and would enable the use of much more

efficient drugs.• The lack of rapid tests for diseases. Rapid, reliable sensors for the presence of certain

molecules in biological fluids would enable rapid testing at a stage where diseases can still be

curable.

• The lack of methods for rapid wound healing processes and regeneration of damaged tissue.

• The lack of rapid tests for biological contamination. Microbial contamination or decay of food

may cause serious health threats, especially to the vulnerable groups, and rapid tests for food

quality and safety would be beneficial.

• The need for stronger and lighter materials, for clothing and upholstery textiles, cars,

airplanes, etc.

• The need for coatings for clothing and upholstery textiles, etc., with specific performances like

antiallergenic properties, therapeutic properties, moisture permeability, stain resistance,antifouling properties.

• The need for coatings for windows, buildings, etc., with specific performances like stain

resistance, antifouling properties and the like.

• The need for clean drinking water in areas where there is only seawater or polluted water.

The reason to look for bio-based materials resides in the fact that dependencies on fossil resources

have to be reduced, and the inspiration that is received from Nature when it comes to self-assembly

and self-organisation.



In order to produce materials with the properties to solve the problems described above, extensive

research on both basic and applied subjects is needed.

Concerning the basic research, studied should be devoted to:

• The basis of molecular assembly in living systems. The biological cell functions because

of self-organisation, but what is the molecular mechanism? For instance, what is the exact

nature of the interactions between proteins and membranes? This should lead to molecular

understanding at such a level that accurate predictions can be made concerning the manner

of self-assembly of biomolecules, and the magnitude of their interactions.

• The basis of molecular recognition in living systems. If we understand how Nature’s

receptors function, we can design and produce them ourselves and use them to make

advanced sensors, for instance for the prevention and timely detection of serious diseases,

the detection of toxic agents and biohazards at low concentrations, etc.

Using the knowledge obtained in the basic studies, it should be possible to develop bio-based

materials for the following applications:

• Controlled release of drugs and nutrients. Bio-based materials are more biocompatible

and therefore they are ideal carriers that can be administered to human beings. Research

should be focused on tuning the properties of the materials, like biostability and –

degradability. New and better systems for the encapsulation of drugs and nutrients have to be

developed. Novel concepts are needed considering the responses to physicochemical

changes that trigger the release of the encapsulated compound. For instance, the pH near a

cancer cell is slightly lower than near healthy cells; a carrier could be made which responds to

these minute pH changes and releases the drug.

The controlled release of nutrients has been deliberately included here. Curing diseases is an

end-of-the-pipe solution and since the average age in Europe is increasing we cannot afford

to only focus on ill people: we have to prevent illness by the administration of health-improving, disease-preventing compounds. Also these compounds have to be carried and

released at the right target spot.

Another application of materials for controlled release will be personal care products.

• Bio-materials as healing dressings and/or scaffolds in tissue engineering. Some bio-

materials such as bacterial cellulose or chitosan are known as healing dressings. However,

the wound healing process can be increased or accelerated by simultaneous application of

bio-active compounds (nucleotides, oligopeptides and some lysophospholipids) which can act

as ligands for cell surface-bound receptors involved in signal transduction. The binding of

such compounds (or ligands) to these receptors can stimulate the proliferation of

keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and other cell types which are involved in the

wound healing process.

Research should be focused on the use of bio-materials as carriers for ligands stimulating

cell-membrane receptors and on controlled release of these compounds. One can also

consider chemical modification of existing bio-materials to obtain new generation of healing

dressings. Such modified bio-materials can be used not only as the healing dressings but also

as scaffolds for in vitro cell culture or tissue engineering. Tissue growth is strongly stimulated

when a suitable scaffold is present; when the mechanism is known by which the cells

recognise their solid substrate, one can devise biopolymers (which should be self-decaying in

a few months) which can act as a template for the new tissue.



• Biomaterials for artificial hybrid organs. It would be advantageous to develop biomaterials

with specific properties that protect transplanted allogenic or xenogenic cells against the

immune system of the recipient, avoiding the use of immuno-suppressants.

• Smart packaging materials. Up to now, the purpose of packaging is mainly to protect the

contents against dirt, contamination and/or oxidation. It would be useful to devise packaging

materials which act as sensors, e.g. materials which respond to the decay of meat. This

would be a more reliable indicator of food quality than a general indication of shelf life on the

packaging.

• Eco-friendly antifouling coatings. Attachments of various forms of sealife to boats are a

serious problem which is countered by the use of some toxic chemicals. This could be

circumvented if one could coat the vessels with a material which prevents the attachment of

sealife. This is an application where repellence of biological molecules is important; if we

understand the mechanism of molecular recognition, we can also design a system that will

repel cellular components. Anti-fouling is also an important topic in membranes which are

used for industrial separation processes.

• Smart materials (e.g. membranes, adsorbants) for separations of (bio)molecules. They

can be used for desalination or removal of pollutants from water, or the removal of malodours

from foodstuffs. Alternatively, they can be designed in such a way that the product of a

(bio)chemical reaction is removed from the reactor, in order to shift an unfavorable reaction

equilibrium to the desired side, or to separate a desired (bio)molecule from a diluted solution.

Nature is again a source of inspiration here: the cell membrane has many mechanisms for the

controlled complexation and transportation of (bio)molecules. The molecular recognition

phenomena involved should be utilized for the development of the smart bio-based separation

processes.

• Smart surfaces and matrices for the immobilisation of enzymes and receptors.

Enzymes are the ‘workhorses’ of industrial biotechnology and for various reasons it is

important to immobilize them to a solid support. At present enzyme immobilization is a more

or less random process; it would be advantageous to have surfaces and matrices whichinteract with the enzyme in such a way that the noncatalytic part of the enzyme is bound to

the surface, leaving the catalytic site open to the solution, in order to ensure optimum activity.

Also receptors should be immobilized in such a way that their recognition capacities are

unaffected. An example could be the use of structural polypeptides as spacers for

immobilization of different enzymes at distinct positions to allow sequential reactions, or

catalytic polymers. The developed materials and techniques should be applicable to nano-

sized channels and reactors. One could think of peptide nanotubes or natural silk textiles

(fibroin) as a solid supports for enzymes immobilisation.

• Self-cleaning surfaces. An application could be coatings for windows such that they are

cleaned by sunlight and rain, or stain-resistant coatings for clothes. Taking it one step further

one could think of self-repairing coatings, like in self-repairing paint. This relates again toliving systems, which are able to repair themselves using self-assembly; can this be

translated to “non-living” systems?

• Self-organising polymers, which could act as templates, or molds for electronic devices, or

as memories. As fabrication using conventional top-down approach reaches its theoretical

limit, bio-based bottom-up self-assembly could allow the fabrication of electronic devices in

the scale of 10-20 nm.

• Hard- and software for analysis, i.e. molecular recognition as an interface between the PC

and biological activity. The communication using electric signals is very common in biology



(e.g., ionic current or electron transfer). Many recognition and identification events could be

translated into electrical and electrochemical signals that will allow making the computer-

biomolecule interface.

• New biomaterials with properties that were considered ‘impossible’ in the past. Some

of the self-assembled bio-materials are of remarkable physical properties (e.g., spider silk is

stronger yet much more flexible than steel). The understanding of the molecular basis for self-

assembly can allow to design and manufacture materials of unique properties. Another

example could be a combination of antimicrobial activity and selective binding to specific

tissue cells or injectable materials which can be used to repair or strengthen damaged or

weakened tissue, e.g. treatment of stress incontinence and use in plastic/cosmetic surgery.

Natural composite materials with exceptional toughness, such as nacre ("mother-of-pearl")

could also serve as source of inspiration for the design of novel organic-inorganic

nanocomposites. These materials should be (largely) bio-based or at least bio-inspired. This

means that they are constructed of bio-based building blocks, designed using principles

derived from biopolymers, or made by enzymatic modification of biopolymers.



6.3 Chemistry for Nanoscience/Nanochemistry

Emerging options on nanotechnology and –science will also play a key role within the vision of a

sustainable chemistry. Novel materials and material hybrids, which can serve in manifold fashion the

needs of society, are foreseeable for the expert already in a time frame between 2 -10 years from

now. Nanotechnology is an integrated part of practically all areas of interest. Some case studies to

illustrate the potential but also visions are listed below. The list is however far from being complete

and is not meant to predefine research fields. Already on the base of current knowledge, the market

for nanomaterials is estimated by analysts to be between 700 – 1000 Billion Euro in 2011 (Source:

Safe production and use of nanomaterials (Report)).

6.3.1 New chemistry for the worlds energy problems

The growing need for energy, together with the force to the European society to reduce its

dependence on oil and gas, is a foreseeable task which demands to develop in the nearest possible

future improved renewable energy systems. Among those, especially the development of cheap, light

weighted and flexible solar cells (“roll of”) will take strong profit of nanochemistry and material hybrids

technology.

• Thin nanostructured films of crystalline titania, deposited onto transparent polymer film

carriers and contacted with an organic counter electrode might become an easy-to-apply

commodity which serves energy needs without the necessity of larger instalments. Beyond

the directly foreseeable localized applications, energy cycles based on such novel chemical

systems will open a chain of evolutionary steps, one end of which might be light harvesting

stratospheric balloons to increase photonic efficiency even at our geographic altitudes.

• Direct photocatalytic splitting of water to hydrogen or “chemical photosynthesis” from CO2 to

liquid energy storage molecules as methanol, windmills which create liquid fuel instead of

electricity (a more efficient option for transport and storage from remote places) are visions ofa sustainable energy society with immediate impact. Such concepts however heavily rely on

nanochemical system solutions. The set-up of new energy cycles which are CO 2-neutral for

instance demand new energy transformation systems and storage media which are, without

exception, based on nanochemistry.

• Improved fuel cells rely on cheap and durable fuel cell membranes with nanoscopic channels

and a nano sized catalysts while their improved performance and efficiency will rely on a

better understanding of material properties on the nanoscale.

• Hydrogen (as one potential energy medium) for the fuel cell has to be transported in an

efficient and safe way, potentially adsorbed onto the large surfaces of nanoporous storage

materials.

• In addition, also flexible intermediary chemical conversion into a storage fluid, e.g. from

gaseous, ultra-low density hydrogen into methanol and back to hydrogen, carries enormous

promise to establish new energy cycles, especially for the decentral generation of energy at

remote places, such as off-shore windmills, solar cells in desert places or the stratosphere.

• For energy conservation, potential targets and markets are directly nearby. Nanoporous

polymer foams, in the ideal case for roll-on applications, will outperform the already existing

building insulations and help to save a majority of the energy currently used for the heating

and – a rapidly increasing future demand- cooling of buildings.



6.3.2 Nanomaterials for ICT

Electronics is already today based on active nanostructures, but chemical nanostructures will

increasingly help to bypass identified shortcomings and hindrances for future developments. The list

of demands of nanoelectronics to nanochemistry is practically endless, just some examples:

• Future shrinkage of boards is currently hindered by the geometric restrictions of capacitors.

This can potentially be outflanked by employment of ferroelectric high-purity nanoparticles

being one order of magnitude smaller then those generated by current technologies.

• The further compaction of IC´s will only be possible by developing so-called low - materials,

which are most presumably novel chemical nanohybrids.

• Cheap ferroelectric flash memory chips with higher data density than the current 1 GB might

revolutionize concepts for consumer electronics and data storage for entertainment products,

beating the current CD and DVD by orders of magnitude. This can economically impact whole

branches of industry.

• Low energy display techniques rely in a multiple fashion on progress in materials chemistry.

6.3.3 Quality of life

Quality of life is also one of the fields where consumer will feel the direct benefits of nanoscience.

Cosmetics, for instance, is currently turning from the more decorative aspects to provide additional

beneficial functionality, e.g. nutrition and preservation of the skin and protection against environmental

influences. In some aspects, cosmetics are growing towards open access medicine (“cosmed”), with

similar nanochemical approaches applied in both disciplines (see also 5.4.4.). Examples for beneficial

products in cosmetics are:

• nanovitamines for skin nutrition

• a new generation of light blockers on the base of non-toxic doped titania or zinc oxide-

nanoparticles

A similar development is to be seen in food industry, nutrition and the appearance of “designer food”.

The nanoscopic formulation and encapsulation of food components and food additives will create new

products with consumer benefits, e.g:

• low fat products with better taste using fat nanodroplets

• preservation of natural colorants and taste-bearing substances by nanoencapsulation

Also for housing, some attractive options exist, e.g.:

• In living rooms, electrochromic windows which darken gradually on demand are a convenient

alternative to the currently used (architecturally demanding and energy leaking) shutters.

• The principle of electrochromism also allow for active energy management of houses by

colour changes of roofs and facades.

6.3.4 Health care

Nanochemistry will also revolutionize health care and pharmaceutics. Targets of research in this area

are:



• Except highly water soluble APIs (active pharmaceutic ingredient), practically all known APIs

can take serious profit from nanodesign and/or an appropriate chemical delivery system,

which is neutral in itself, but carries the PAI to the place of activity. This also avoids overdose

effects or the toxification of drinking water with unresorbed APIs.

• Especially in oncology, chemotherapy might turn into a most effective process with lowered

side effects, using polymeric or nanochemical carrier systems. In this area, appropriate

material chemistry will promote and stimulate the further development of pharmaceutical

industry.

6.3.5 Personal Security

Targets of personal security are defined within a cultural background. In Europe, the focus lies more

on health and environmental monitoring, environmental cleaning and remediating technologies.

Chemical nanotechnology can help to create cheap, sensitive and reliable multisensing systems for

decentral, near-citizen monitoring of water and air (transport). Especially in times of pandemics, larger

accidents or even eco-terrorism, simple redundant warning systems increase the real and perceived

safety of European citizens. The era of nanotechnology will also help to remediate the side effects of

the industrial age. Current developments like the chemical use of iron nanoparticles to destroy

chlorocarbons both in water and in soil or the effective use of photocatalytic nanotitania for the direct

destruction of green house gases (except CO2) ensure a self-sustainable economy and growth.

6.3.6 Key Enablers, Linkages and Constraints

The European community has a very strong chemical industry with strong innovation skills and

leading competence in nanotechnology. In addition, there is a world competitive, if not leading

academic research community, however strongly knowledge and not innovation based. Both sides

(industry and academia) can turn into key enablers for sustainable chemistry approaches in

nanotechnology. This is in fact one of the rare fields where Europes is still able to take a lead ahead

of the American and Asian communities, however immediate action and coordination is required.

Main constraints are the practical absence of coordination and missing long-term oriented joint efforts.

Infrastructural measures have to taken to close the “communication and culture” gap between two

sides, e.g.:

- improved incentives for innovative co-operations,

- a structure supporting for instance European innovation parks

- joint-venture start-ups based upon industrial and academic knowledge.

Highlights

Systematic support of a research infrastructure supporting a new chemistry to deal with

energy problems

Integration of nanomaterials into current market products for better sustainable products

Health, Safety and Environmental Issues of nanomaterial production

Systematic understanding of nano- and interface effects



6.4 Synopsis

Having presented the topics we deem important for providing the impetus for the innovation of new

materials and products, we would like to give a brief impression of the scope of influence that material

technologies have, not only within the SusChem TP, but also in relation to other TP’s.

Within SusChem there are naturally a large number of themes where an overlap between the Material

Technology section and the Reaction, Process and Design section occurs (as illustrated in the

Figure below). For instance in:

Functional coatings

Synthetic concepts

Process intensification

Materials for catalytic transformations

Purification and formulation engineering

In-Silico Techniques

Plant Control and Supply Chain Optimization (Integrated systems).

Figure 3: Connections to Reaction, Process and Design Section

The relationship to Industrial (white) Biotechnology rests rather on the materials produced (see

Figure 4 below):

Biobased Plastics

Advanced Polymers

Bio-inspired materials

Bio-electronics

Miniaturised structures

Barrier Properties

Chemical/Physical sensing

Multi thin layer structuring.



synth. biomed materials

2000 2005 2010 2015

synthetic tissue

(A) bio-based plastics

(B) advanced biopolymers

(C) bio-inspired materials

biomedical sector

biomaterials

synth. biomed materials

2000 2005 2010 2015

synthetic tissue

(A) bio-based plastics

(B) advanced biopolymers

(C) bio-inspired materials

biomedical sector

biomaterials

Figure 4: Connections to White Bio-technology Section

But beyond these thematic overlaps within SusChem, there is the relationship to other TP’s that bears

great importance. As illustrated in the Figure 5 below, an overwhelming number of TP’s rely on the

innovation or application of new material technologies. This clearly states what role material

technologies, and therefore, in principle, the role that CHEMISTRY plays in securing the future

prosperity of Europe.



Figure 5: Material Technologies connections to other Technology Platforms

Documents

Materials Cap6 Draft Agenda Condense