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Panel 14 – chemistry
synthesis of a variety of functional polymers, with high recognition
of the work on sulfonated polymers with ion and proton conducting
properties; activities are also on different polymer architectures and
amphiphilic polymers. This a very important group being nearly the
only one which is clearly focusing on making new materials (beside the
activities in the biotechnology area) and material design for important
applications. The group is very productive and the publications are well
cited. It remains a little unclear if this group has appropriate partners
e.g. in the field of energy production but it can be assumed that this is
the case.
Total work done: Excellent; highly relevant.
Present/future: Going very well but needs to be expanded.
The other group, again represented by only one professor, deals with the
characterization of important polymer properties e.g. free volume which
is especially important in the field of membranes e.g. for gas separation.
This is also a highly acknowledged activity, but the output could be
higher. It does not become fully clear if these activities are well connected
to any ongoing membrane technology activities within the chemistry
department or the chemical engineering department. The present focus
which shifts to nanocomposites seems rather isolated and is certainly
addressed with too low man power missing the part which addresses the
making of the nanocomposite (membranes).
Total work done: Very good to excellent.
Present/future: Going well but certainly subcritical in man power.
General remark to “nanotechnology and functional polymers”: It looks
like the nanotechnology and especially the functional polymer part is
not well-integrated in the general strategy and planning of the chemistry
department. It could, and actually, it should be better developed and
integrated. Otherwise it does not make use of its potential; the chemistry
department could certainly profit from these activities much better than
presently given.
However, it could be that the groups involved here find their partners not
at all in the chemistry department but maybe in the solid physics department,
or in engineering! This would also be ok, but is not outlined in the
provided material.
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