For the creation of the network, ten pilot plants across Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland) have been selected to deal with the most promising applications of nanocomposite materials in the construction industry:
- Synthesis of coated nanoparticles with improved compatibility with the material matrix yielding to high quality products with key functionalities, easier to process and safer to handle;
- Production of antiweathering and anticorrosion nanocomposite coatings for the protection of infrastructure exposed to aggressive environments such as wind turbines, offshore & marine infrastructure;
- Production of multifunctional nanocomposites with key properties such as anti-icing, antimicrobial, UV protection and self-cleaning ability targeted to increase durability and lighten maintenance works;
- Synthesis of electrically conductive glass and carbon fibers to be used as in situ sensors of stress/strain, temperature and moisture for early warning of catastrophic failure of infrastructure;
- Prefabrication of lightweight aerogels mechanically reinforced with nanoparticles for high performance thermal insulation applications in building;
During the first stage of the project the ten pilot plants will be properly equipped and skilled to work with nanomaterials at higher production rate and increased level of robustness and repeatability. Special emphasis will be on improving the control and monitoring of the conditions required for the use of nanomaterials in industrial processes. In a second stage, once the pilot plants have been optimized, the project consortium will evaluate the increased performance and functionality of the product and of the production line, in terms of productivity in an actual operational environment and quality of the final products.
The ultimate goal of NANOLEAP Network is to support the research activities of the European Construction Industry on nancomposite applications enabling the progress of the product to next steps of technology deployment such as installation of industrial lines and enter in the commercialization stage.
Partners
- University of Castilla La Mancha
- D´Appolonia
- Graphenano
- Cambridge Nanomaterials Technolgy Ltd.
- Acciona
- STAM
- Separex INEA d.o.o
- IMDEA Nanoscience
- Swerea SICOMP
- Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging
- NetComposites
- NANTO Cleantech
- ECNP - European center for nanostructured polymers
- EMPA Swiss federal laboratories for materials science
- Purinova Sp. z o.o.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materialsv
- CEA. Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden