Polymer Nanocomposites for Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications (Printed Electronics Europe 2007)

Prof. Werner Blau is Professor of Physics of Advanced Materials at Trinity College Dublin. He is also Research Director of the interdisciplinary Materials Ireland Polymer Research Centre, which encompasses researchers from the fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, and computer simulation with a substantial track record in technology transfer and collaboration with industry. His research interests concentrate on molecular engineering of advanced materials, properties and applications of responsive molecular and polymeric materials for electronics, optoelectronics, and bio/medical applications and basic materials, processes and devices for molecular nanoelectronics. Published over 340 peer-reviewed papers to-date, edited three books and is coauthor of 13 patents/ patent applications. Recent CNT composite work was featured in New Scientist, Chemistry Today and Materials Today.

The Materials Ireland Polymer Research Centre is based in the School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin ( Centre Director: Professor Werner Blau; Centre Manager: Dr. Chris Keely) and acts as a support service to industry by providing both the facilities and necessary expertise to carry out research and development programmes in advanced materials. The main expertise of the Polymer Research Centre lies in the science and technology of polymers for specialized high-tech applications. This includes polymers for the chemical and healthcare industry, biopolymers and novel polymeric materials for electrical, electronic and optical applications. We adopt an interdisciplinary approach to problems and provide cost-effective, practical and efficient solutions. The Polymer Research Centre offers up-to-date expertise in most areas of polymer science and technology and affords industry access to a unique range of state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to our own personnel, the unit can also utilize the research potential of highly trained post-graduate researchers in Trinity College. The active participation by our researchers in a wide range of national, international and European Union projects guarantees that we remain at the forefront of polymer research and development.