11th Annual Conference

Nanocomposites
and Nanotubes
Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 April 2011 – Brussels, Belgium

The international forum for professionals in polymer research and applications

SAVE €200
Register your place
before Friday 4th
February 2011*

Featuring: Platinum sponsor

Dr Leonid Ponomarenko Dr Ivica Kolaric
Condensed Matter Physics Group Head of Process Engineering Functional
The University of Manchester Materials Department
Fraunhofer
Professor Thomas Pinnavaia
Department of Chemistry and Center Tie Lan
for Fundamental Materials Research General Manager
Michigan State University Nanocor

www.nanosconference.com

6-7 April 2011– Brussels, Belgium
Nano-scale technologies promise radical changes for business
and society. For plastics manufacturers this means the potential
to make lighter, cheaper and better performing components
– the challenge for the plastics industry is to turn this vision into
reality.
The 11th Annual Nanocomposites and Nanotubes
Conference will focus on research and development in all
nano-particles, polymer processing and application, as well as
market direction, growth and potential for commercialisation.
Expert speakers from across the supply chain will keep you
up to speed with the latest developments and opportunities
including:
l The reality of the timetable to commercialisation
l Bridging the gap between research and application
l Toxicity, global regulation and the impact on your business
l Graphene and the properties it may bring to the sector
Attend this conference to keep up to speed with polymer
materials science, and to gain the knowledge that enables
you to make informed decisions. Discuss setbacks, challenges,
successes and future thinking with peers in a wide range of
functions. Leave with contacts from across the polymer sector
that will help you grow your business.
Benefits of attending
l Evaluate tangible opportunities for sector development and
growth, look at realistic timescales, recognise true prospects –
where to invest, what is possible and what is profitable
l Examine sector business strategies, identify factors contributing
to gains, challenges and risks
l Listen to others’ experience of taking nano-polymer materials
through research and development to application stage, translate
learning to your own field of expertise
l Learn from expert assessments on toxicology issues, gain crucial
updates on global regulation of nano materials
l Hear from Manchester University on the discovery of graphene,
new developments and potential uses
l Participate in interactive panel discussions with speakers and
your peers across the supply chain
l Consolidate existing business relationships and create new ones
Who should attend
Professionals from across the polymer supply chain with an interest
in nanocomposites, nanotubes and their applications including:
l Chief Executive Officers, Presidents and Company Directors
l Business Development and Commercial Managers
l Research and Development Managers
l Materials Development Managers
l Application Design and Development Engineers
l Process Design and Development Managers
l Product and Project Managers
l Quality Assurance Managers
l Nanotechnology Policy Makers, Analysts, Working Groups and
Committees
Forthcoming events 2011
l Plastics in Medical Devices North America 11-13 April – Ohio, USA
l Product Design and Innovation – 18-19 May – London, UK
l Food Contact Plastics – 7-8 June – Brussels, Belgium
For a full list of forthcoming conferences and events please visit
our website: www.plastics-events.com
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
Levent Tounjer, Tel: +44 (0)20 8253 9623, Email: ltounjer@crain.com
11th Annual Conference
Nanocomposites
and Nanotubes Register online at:
Conference enqu
Day One – Wednesday 6 April
09.00 Registration and refreshments
09.30 Chair’s opening remarks
Chris Smith, Editor, European Plastics News
09.45 Introduction and overview
• Current impact and use of nanotechnology in the polymer sector
• Innovation capabilities and future outlook
Dr Steffi Friedrichs, Director, Nanotechnology Industries Association
10.05 The business case for using and benefitting from nanocarbons
• Key success factors, opportunities, risks and challenges
• Legal aspects
• Technical opportunities and issues
• Attitudes towards nanocarbons across the value chain
Ivica Kolaric, Head of Process Engineering Functional Materials
Department, Fraunhofer
10.25 Panel discussion: sector funding and investment
• Is this an area for investment?
• Advancing to commercial implementation
• Competition strategy
Delegates have the opportunity to ask questions and share
experience with the session speakers.
10.45 Tea and coffee
11.15 Using carbon nanotubes
• Latest developments in carbon nanotubes
• Making progress – bridging potential and real applications
• Achieving and enhancing desired properties of carbon nanotubes
in polymers
Roberto Mongiovi, Global Sales and Marketing Manager
Thermoplastics, Nanocyl
11.35 The effect of carbon nanotubes on the properties of non-halogen
flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethanes
• Influence of carbon nanotubes on flame properties and rheology
• Studying structure properties with respect to the type and amount
of additives
Nico Rems, Project Manager, Lubrizol
11.55 Joint question and discussion session
12.15 Lunch
13.30 Compatibilisation of carbon nanotubes with thermoplastic
matrices
• A non-covalent functionalisation method for carbon nanotubes
• Polymer side chains – compatibilisation with a specific matrix
• Extending a technology platform from thermoset to thermoplastic
matrices and evaluation using a melt compounding process
• Rheology and electrical properties of the nanocomposites,
assessment of compatibility between filler and matrix
Dr Jill Kunzelman, Senior Research Engineer, PolyOne Corporation
and Dr Weijun Wang, Staff Scientist – Polymers and Nano-Materials
Zyvex Technologies
14.10 Nanotubes and graphene as reinforcing fillers in polymer based
composites: maximising reinforcement and minimising cost
• Effect of carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of fibre-
reinforced composites; the role of nanotube content and orientation
• Making very strong composite fibres by reducing fibre diameter;
the relative roles of nanotube orientation and defects
• Tough composites, adding nanotubes and graphene to elastomers
• Reinforcement of thermoplastics with graphene; problems and
solutions
Prof. Jonathan Coleman, School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin
14.30 Using nanocomposites as flame retardants under industrial
conditions: commercial success and what remains unsolved
• Understanding nanocomposites and unsolved problems
• Fulfilling more severe fire tests including the Construction Product
Directive for Europe
• Cost saving through the use of nanotechnology for cables
• Examining the synergistic effect of carbon nanotubes and
organoclays forming a perfect flame retardant system
Gunter Beyer, Lab Manager, Kabelwerk Eupen
14.50 Question and discussion session
15.10 Tea and coffee
: www.nanosconference.com
uiries: Tel: +44 (0)20 8253 9621 Email: epnconferences@crain.com
15.40 Five case study examples: application of nanotube containing
composites
Analysis of five prototypes including how they were obtained,
problems and solutions, functionalisation and surface treatments:
– Ropes and sling
– Deformation sensors for automotive applications
– Flame retarded sandwich panels for rail and aerospace
– Domotic floor tiles
– Refractory bricks
Ignacio Buezas Sierra, Researcher, Aimplas
16.00 Carbon nanotubes: from kayaks to windpower blades
• The manufacturing process, differences in production techniques
• Advantages in kayaks and other case study examples
• Qualification process and the commercialisation road map: using
leisure applications as a model and overcoming barriers to entry in
more high tech sectors.
• Recent patents, new developments and disclosures in some areas
of interest, case study results from industry research and development
Joachim Karthauser, Technical Director, Re-Turn AS
16.20 Panel discussion: on the development of nanopolymer
applications, commercial opportunities and challenges, • Formation of exfoliated nanocomposites
lessons learnt and moving forward
• The qualification process
• Scaling up, cost, volume, evolution, applications and process
• Overcoming key barriers
Delegates have the opportunity to ask questions and share
experience with the session speakers.
16.40 Chair’s concluding remarks
17.00 – 18.00
End of day networking drinks reception
An opportunity for all conference attendees to share success stories and
current challenges, in a relaxed and informal networking environment.
Day Two – Thursday 7 April
08.15 Refreshments
08.45 Chair’s opening remarks
Toxicity and Global Regulation
09.00 Pulmonary toxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)
Studying inflammation, fibrosis and mutagenic effects
The mechanisms of toxicity
• Results of exposure to SWCNT, with other pathogenic influences
• Review of current protective measures and their sufficiency in
occupational settings
Anna Shvedova, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
09.25 The nanocomposite lifecycle
• Substantiation of low risk from various nanocomposites: release of
micron-size hybrids, low hazard of inhalable fractions
• A comparison of:
– normal use versus do-it-yourself versus weathering
– Carbon nanotubes versus nanoparticle fillers
– Polymer versus inorganic matrices
• Results of the first in-vivo study of the human hazard emerging from
degradation of nanocomposites
Dr Wendel Wohlleben, Polymer Physics Research and Nano Team
BASF SE
09.50 Progress in regulation
• An analysis of the current legislative situation
• A clear route-map for upcoming legislation worldwide
• Setting limitations in application
• Reducing consumer fears
• REACH status and the European White Paper
Anna Gergely, Director, EHS Regulatory, Steptoe and Johnson LLP
10.30 Panel discussion: what does this sector think about
developments in understanding toxicity and in regulation?
• What is holding us back?
• What challenges and risks does regulation pose for businesses?
• What solutions are yet to be found and how will we find them?
Delegates have the opportunity to ask questions and share
experience with the session speakers.
www.nanosconference.com
10.50 Tea and coffee
11.20 A focus on graphene: new devices and prospects for
applications
• Properties of flourographene
• Graphene for transparent conducting coating
• Graphene devices - quantum dot based transistor, strain gauge
based on graphene, quantum capacitance in graphene
Dr Leonid Ponomarenko, Condensed Matter Physics Group, The
University of Manchester*
*Dr Ponomarenko works closely with nobel laureates Dr Andre Geim and
Dr Konstantin Novoselov, who discovered Graphene in 2004.
11.50 Questions and discussion session
• Latest developments in graphene particles and nanocomposites
• Unique selling points of graphene - what interesting properties and
innovative solutions will be brought to the polymer sector?
• A comparison of graphene and other carbon nanomaterials
• Manufacturing grade size, preparation and dispersion
12.00 Synthesis of talc-like filler with covalently bonded organic
modifiers as novel additive for polymer nanocomposites
• Increase in resistance to thermal oxidation and photooxidation
• A synthesis process easily tunable to modify structure
• Towards a new class of functional polymer additives – dispersability
without leaching
Sergio Bocchini, Department of Materials Science and Chemical
Engineering, Politecnico di Torino
12.20 Attributes of mesoporous silicas as polymer additives
• Improving strength and modulus at low loadings
• Reducing the amount of polymer needed to produce a part
• Improving flame retardance
• Reducing cycle times for both thermosets and thermoplastics
• Eliminating the need for organic surface modification, allowing for
facile regrind and recycle
Professor Thomas Pinnavaia, Department of Chemistry and Center
for Fundamental Materials Research, Michigan State University
12.40 Joint question and discussion session
13.00 Lunch
14.15 Hierarchical composites based on renewable materials –
current developments and future prospective
• Techniques to produce ‘hairy’ natural fibres – growing
bacterial cellulose in situ and coating natural fibres with
cellulose nano-fibrils
• Aligning and distributing cellulose nano fibrils and crystals in
renewable matrices via melt-spinning
• The production and characterisation of hierarchical all-PLA and
bacterial cellulose nanocomposites
Dr Jonny Blaker, Polymer and Composites Engineering Group,
Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London
14.35 New technology advances for nanoclay modified plastics
• Commercialisation journey for new technology and products
• Regulatory consideration and current status
• Applications contributing to ecological benefit
• Challenges and opportunities
Dr Tie Lan, General Manager, Nanocor
14.55 Panel discussion: what further research is required in this
sector? Where are the knowledge gaps? What do we need to
move forward?
• Functionalisation and multifunctional polymers
• Delivering special properties
• Reinforcement
• Enhancing electrical, thermal and mechanical properties
• Long-term durability versus deterioration
• A more diverse array of particles and possibilities
• Compatibilisation, disentanglement and dispersion techniques
Delegates have the opportunity to ask questions and share
experience with the session speakers.
15.15 Chair’s concluding remarks and close of conference
Crain Communications / European Plastics News reserves the right to cancel
or alter the programme at any time
 11th Annual Conference
How to register
Nanocomposites Please check the website for conference
programme updates
and Nanotubes Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 April 2011 – Brussels, Belgium Tel: +44 (0) 20 8253 9621
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8253 9652
Register online at www.nanosconference.com Email: EPNconferences@crain.com
Online: www.nanosconference.com
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