Polymers, Composites and Coatings: New Opportunities and Applications Download page
London, 2 November 2005
Polymers, Composites and Coatings: New Opportunities and Applications was the first in a series of Materials Chemistry Group meetings aimed at bringing together SCI members from the industrial and commercial sectors and researchers from academic and technology environments to identify emerging technologies and current industry needs. The fields of polymers, composites and coatings, which are of high technological relevance, were identified as being of specific relevance by Materials Chemistry Group members in a recent membership questionnaire.
A very impressive list of speakers gave industrial and technological perspectives on a broad range of topics. Dr Colin Willis of DSTL Porton Down's lecture on Pulsed Plasma Polymerisaton and Selectively Permeable Membranes gave a broad overview of plasma polymer deposition phenomena with specific emphasis on membranes with selective separation properties. Dr Paul Findlay from Unilever's Polymers in Home and Personal Care Products was a fascinating talk on the complexities of washing powder design and performance. Dr Terry McGrail from Cytec inspired anyone with an interest in carbon fibre composites with his update on the current growth in use and expected demand for these materials, as more new aircraft designs move toward light-weight, high-performance composite requirements.
SCI provided the usual high standard buffet lunch, followed by Clay-based composites and filled polymers from Professor Roger Rothon and an animated talk by Dr Malcolm Butler from Sheffield University, on university and industry partnerships and progressing university research toward commercialisation. The final talk of the day was given by Dr Peter Mills of Innovia Films who revealed the production methods and technology needs for polypropylene and cellulose-based films.
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