Zaragoza hosts the first International Congress of nanomaterials

The Technological Institute of Aragon held on 25 and 26 October the first International Congress of nanomaterials. This appointment will result in a report on the current state of research related to the Coinapo project and promote interaction between researchers in 24 participating countries.

Coinapo is a project forming part of the European COST initiative and the two days will address the following topics: manufacturing of materials (development and optimization of methods to adapt the structure and properties of composite materials and their components); characterization (determination of the actual structure and physical - mechanical tribological, optical, electronic, and so on - characteristics of the compounds and their components); and technical applications (capabilities, potential and challenges of these compounds in applications).

In addition, they will have some theoretical contributions on the foundations of compounds of tubular polymer nanoparticles and properties of inorganic nanotubes (theoretical models and/or computer simulations). Likewise, aspects related to the technology of polymer nanocomposites, from basic research to industrial applications.

Aiming to encourage interaction with industrial partners and promote the activities of the Working Group of engineering, will participate as invited speakers Jose Vera, of the center of Acciona infrastructure development; Ansgar Komp, of Freudenberg Forschungsdienste; Tony McNally, of the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering of the University Queens, Belfast; and Rudolf Pfaendener, Deutsches Kunststoff - Institut; whose interests will focus on industrial applications and challenges of Nanocomposites.

Coinapo aims to the development of new composites of inorganic nanotubes and polymers, as well as linkages to the transfer of knowledge, with a view to the implementation and marketing of this type of composites in European industry.

Nanotubes of inorganic materials are an interesting alternative to carbon nanotubes. Its advantages are easy access to synthetic materials, good uniformity and solubility, and the defining of its electric conductivity, always depending on the composition of the starting material. They are therefore very suitable as a filling for polymeric composite materials to incorporate improvements in thermal, mechanical and electrical properties. Applications of this type of compounds are suitable for the control of the heat, the dissipation of electrostatic charge, protection from wear and tear, photovoltaic elements, and so on.

The project also has aimed at establishing contacts between European scientists working in this emerging field, in order to lay the groundwork for the creation of a network of highly interdisciplinary research, focused on the development and exploration of composite materials that provide the fundamental knowledge and establish the necessary links for widespread implementation and the marketing of such material in the European industry.