Rapra Technology's New International Conference on Nanopolymers

Rapra Technology, a subsidiary of the US-based independent testing, consulting and contract research organisation, The Smithers Group, has announced dates for a new international conference on Nanopolymers taking place in Berlin on 12-13 June 2007. This inaugural conference will provide up to the minute data on the rapid growth of nanopolymers and will demonstrate, via a range of case studies, their use in different industry sectors. The use of nanopolymer compounds in commercial applications is gaining momentum and global demand for nanomaterials is predicted to reach US$3.7 billion by 2008. Behind much of the hype surrounding nanopolymers is a real opportunity for companies to produce superior, sustainable materials faster, cheaper and more efficiently. New approaches in the synthesis, characterisation and commercial application of nanopolymers will be discussed at this conference. The conference will open with presentations from Lux Research Inc and Bayer Material Science examining the market opportunities for nanopolymers and their value chain from nano-materials via nano-intermediates to nano-enabled products and systems. Dr. Péter Krüger, Head of the Bayer Working Group Nanotechnology, will discuss the growth areas within Bayer with respect to material and life sciences. There follows a number of papers on processing improvements and nano-scale property enhancement including a presentation from Degussa AG describing how they are using robust scale up and scale down methodologies in the production of polymeric nanocomposites based on polyamides. ARKEMA will demonstrate the various synthesis routes they have used to bring about the good dispersion and efficient utilisation of carbon nanotubes and VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland will give a paper on new porous hybrid polymer films for high temperature electromechanical applications. Day two continues with a number of case studies highlighting specific applications of nanopolymers. Presentations include an explanation from Pirelli Tyre who has developed rubber-clay nanocomposites to improve the mechanical properties of polymer matrices; Israel Plastics and Rubber Centre's use of nano particles for hydrophobic and self cleaning coatings and the University of Cambridge's development of high performance gas sensors using singlewalled carbon nanotubes, polymers and composite materials. A representative from the PolyCond Consortium will also present the research being conducted by this part- funded European Commission project to develop conductive plastic composites that are eco-friendly, cost effective and of high added value. The presentation will specifically address the use of conductive carbon nanotubes as filler in a non-conducting polymeric matrix. All registrations made before 12th April will receive a €200 discount off the full conference fee. (Press Release)