TheLink Project Information

TheLink is a research and training project funded by the European Union’s Marie-Sklodowska-Curie programme (GA no. 642890). The project team consists of 15 PhD students, based at 10 partner organizations throughout Europe. Research in TheLink spans the material development chain for nanostructured polymers. These materials, including phase separated polymers and composites, are attracting scientific and industrial interest due to the outstanding properties and functionalities that can be achieved. However, to exploit the potential of these materials an in-depth understanding of the relationship between nano/micro structures and macro-level properties is required. TheLink aims to generate this knowledge on an interdisciplinary basis, combining simulation, characterisation and processing. The research team will take nanomaterial development beyond “trial and error” towards a knowledge-based and industrially feasible approach. Three case studies (phase separated polymers, separation membranes, composites for electrical conductivity/self-diagnosis/EMI shielding) will be used to guide the research and to demonstrate the project developments. The project will run from 1st November 2014 until 31st October 2018.