Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD)

Introduction / missionWe  develop polymers with new responsive functionalities and integrate them into devices, to meet industrial and societal challenges in the fields of sustainable energy, healthcare, and personal comfort.Highlighted phraseDeveloping devices to demonstrate the value of new polymers Organisational profileOur group is internationally recognized for a complete chain‐of‐knowledge approach spanning from synthesis to device fabrication. In our view, integration of newly‐developed polymers into devices that employ their functionality is essential for demonstrating scientific and economic value. To pursue this integrated approach, we employ staff members with strong expertise in organic synthesis, self-assembly, nano‐ and micro‐structuring, polymer chemistry and technology, mechanics, device optics and physics. We have extensive expertise in manufacturing and testing of devices on a prototype scale.We develop functional materials by utilizing top‐down and bottom‐up strategies combining molecular design and synthesis, processing and device integration. For bottom‐up structuring of polymers we often apply self‐organization of photopolymerizable liquid crystals into defect‐free, monolithic structures with a wide variety of molecular architectures and functionalities. Often used top-down techniques are photolithography, photo-embossing, holography and (inkjet) printing.Our group has been very successful in bringing academic results into industrial practice and societal application. Longstanding collaborations exist with industry, institutes, and small & medium‐size enterprises. Furthermore, many patents have been generated, of which several have resulted in spin‐off companies. In addition to the direct transfer of technology, we have educated many young students to become scientists bringing their knowledge to industry or academic institutions.