Latvia
Main actors in the field of polymer based nano composites
Main actors in the field of polymer based nanocomposites are Latvian scientific institutions, among them Riga Technical University, Institute of Polymer Materials (RTU), Institute of Technical Physics (RTU), RTU Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Latvia (LU), LU Institute of Polymer Mechanics.
Percentage of SME involved in the nanocomposite field is not very high. There are, however, some, such as Groglass Ltd., dealing with organic and inorganic nanocoatings on glasses and Plasma & Ceramic Technologies Ltd, dealing with manufacturing of inorganic nanopowders, which can be used as fillers for strengthening of nanocomposites based on polymers.
State of the art in the field of polymer based nano composites
At present moment in the field of polymer based nanocomposites products and technologies are mainly in the development stage, except of certain inorganic powders manufactured by Plasma & Ceramic Technologies Ltd.
However, patent announcement regarding the use of certain polymer based nanocomposites as sensor materials is currently processed.
Developed nanocomposites are based on different synthetic thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting resins as well as natural polymers.
Broad scope of inorganic and organic filers is used.
Stress-strain, barrier, calorimetric, mass transfer, electric, magnetic and other properties of the developed nanocomposite systems are investigated. Modelling of certain stress-strain and sorption characteristics is performed.
Other activities or events ongoing in the field of polymer based nano composites
National Research Program “Development of Advanced Functional Materials for Microelectronics, Nanoelectronics, Photonics, Biomedicine and Special Composites and Corresponding Technologies Elaboration” is functioning since 2005.
In the framework of this Program International Baltic Sea Region conference “Functional materials and nanotechnologies” is annually organized in Latvia. Issues of polymer nanocomposites are also discussed during the International Conference “Baltic Polymer Symposium” organized every year in one of the Baltic state.
There are also some technology transfer organizations, such as Latvian Technological Center (www.innovation.lv), Latvia Technology Park (http://www.ltp.lv), IRC Latvia (http://irc.innovation.lv/), Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (http://www.liaa.gov.lv/) and others. In these centres communication between industry and scientific sector is promoted. Regularly Catalog HighTech in Latvia, presenting some of the innovative ideas in Latvian scientific community, including those connected with polymer based nanocomposites and it manufacturing technology are presented.
In the recent years some Centres of Competence have been developed also in the polymer nanocomposite field (directly or indirectly)
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