Specific programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN) – European Training Network
UPV/EHU Partner Status: Beneficiary
UPV/EHU PI: Radmilla Tomovska
Project start: 01/10/2017
Project end: 30/09/2021

Brief description: The polymer industry is going through one of the most significant periods of change in its history. Driven by new environmental regulations, the development of eco-efficient processes and zero-VOC products has become an absolute necessity. In this field, 2 technologies stand out: Polymerisation in dispersed media and Photopolymerisation. To maintain EU leadership in this sector, PHOTO-EMULSION aims at training a creative, entrepreneurial & innovative next-generation of Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) who can push towards new eco-friendly polymerisation processes. Our primary strength is a demanding technical knowledge base bringing together, for the first time, all disciplines related to these 2 strategic fields. Secondly, we will broaden traditional doctoral training by targeting transferable and specialized skills sought after by the employers, and learned through innovative methods: tandem ESRs, distance language learning, ESR as itinerant science educator, online courses, ESR-led subproject, highly interactive meetings, and industrial secondments. In research, we will develop a “hybrid” next-generation technology based on thiol-ene photopolymerisation in dispersed media. Advanced manufacturing based on photoreactor promises a wave of high sulfur content dispersed products (films, nanoparticles, porous network). Their outstanding properties open the door to applications responding to current Industral needs such as non-leaching materials, O2 barrier and biobased waterborne coatings, biologically-active particles, hybrid nanosensors and monolithic chromatography column.