The innovation developed by the project team could pave the way for the tailoring of polymers to specific industry needs.

To create the software tool, the researchers combined the strengths of various disciplines (from applied mathematics and software engineering to chemistry). The project started when Christof Schütte, NANOPOLY project coordinator and professor at the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, was talking to researchers from chemical company BASF and software company CiT about the need for modern software tools to design plastics from polymers.

“The new software tool helps us predict how different production processes affect the nano-structure of the polymers,” says Schütte. “This is expected to support the European polymer industry innovate their products and lead to the creation of a new generation of researchers that are trained in mathematical and software modelling, as well as polymer process design,” he adds.

“This allows us to tailor the production process to the requirements of the polymer molecules and to the resulting polymer material,” says Schütte.

The innovative software tool was developed by researchers taking part in the EU’s Marie Curie programme of support for postgraduate fellows. “The NANOPOLY project gave them vital training in complementary research fields. The training helped build a mix of competences in mathematical modelling, software engineering, as well as polymer chemistry,” explains Schütte.

The project has already supported several early stage researchers in their career, with three of them hired for permanent positions by chemical company BASF and five others finding post- doctorate positions. Furthermore, one of the experienced researchers has been appointed as an assistant professor at Freie Universität Berlin. “Interdisciplinary research is hard work, but it pays off career-wise and intellectually,” affirms Schütte.