Intelligent materials for practical applications

The aim of the Centre of Excellence in Functional Printable Materials is to develop so-called intelligent materials that can identify outside stimuli and respond to them in a controlled manner. The Centre is led by Professor Jarl B. Rosenholm of the Åbo Akademi University. The University of Helsinki participates in the research by synthesising intelligent polymers.

“These include materials that can alter their characteristics according to the environmental conditions. Polymers are compounds made up of large molecules. The environmentally sensitive, water-soluble polymers we produce as well as their production processes are healthy and environmentally safe chemistry,” says Professor Heikki Tenhu, who is in charge of the research project in the University of Helsinki.

“Possible applications include robotics, and controlled transportation and the release of medical substances. Additionally, intelligent polymers can be utilised in gene technology,” says Tenhu.

Research targets of the Centre of Excellence include replacing the mass products of the paper and packaging industry with high-quality precision products, creating integrated product applications for the health-care industry and multimedia applications for the graphics and communications industries.

The University of Helsinki plays a key part in the research because polymers are the very core of functional materials. Polymers may also be utilised in paper applications: it is possible to print a variety of intelligent patterns on paper which may in future replace circuit boards.

“Synthetic work is time consuming and demanding. During the last number of years, we have gone to a great deal of trouble to learn new controlled polymer reactions. The discipline has progressed significantly in recent years and the spearheading research in polymers is no longer in plastics. Internationally, we are at the pinnacle of research in the field,” says Tenhu.

The Finnish Centre of Excellence in Functional Printable Materials, Åbo Akademi University, University of Helsinki.

 

Text: Arja-Leena Paavola
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Translation: Valtasana Oy