Carbon nanotubes are generating increasing attention for technological and industrial processes. The microscopic, tubular structures can help create materials with extremely high thermal conductivity and stability. In addition, the composite materials may be a hundred times more resistant than steel, and can be used to create fibers with enormous elasticity. The applications for such technology appear nearly limitless and include materials for the automotive, aeronautics, biomedicine and infrastructures sectors.

In order to help these sectors take full advantage of the new technology, the European project known as POCO focuses on research in carbon nanotubes for novel polymer matrix composites. The project, headed by a technology center in Spain’s northern Basque country called Tekniker-IK4, began in early 2009 with a budget of nearly €5.5 million over the next four years.

The objective of the European project is to obtain new composite materials – two or more materials combined together to create a new material with novel properties – based on the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. These materials may offer a variety of mechanical, electrical, and biocompatible benefits. To create these structures, scientists will develop varied positioning and alignments for the nanotubes inside the polymer matrix.

The engineers at Tekniker-IK4 rely on management experience as well as expertise in four related fields: precision and mechatronic engineering, surface engineering, production engineering, and manufacturing automation. Tekniker scientists will evaluate the characterization of the nanotubes, the behavior of composite materials, and the life-cycle analysis.

A consortium of research institutions, including the University of the Basque Country and the research center Cidetec, initiated this carbon nanotube research project, eventually joining research groups from around Europe with proven experience in the area of nanocomposites. Companies such as EADS, Fiat and Acciona are among 17 participants from nine different countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Greece and Argentina.

Carbon nanotubes are generating increasing attention for technological and industrial processes. The microscopic, tubular structures can help create materials with extremely high thermal conductivity and stability. In addition, the composite materials may be a hundred times more resistant than steel, and can be used to create fibers with enormous elasticity. The applications for such technology appear nearly limitless and include materials for the automotive, aeronautics, biomedicine and infrastructures sectors.

In order to help these sectors take full advantage of the new technology, the European project known as POCO focuses on research in carbon nanotubes for novel polymer matrix composites. The project, headed by a technology center in Spain’s northern Basque country called Tekniker-IK4, began in early 2009 with a budget of nearly €5.5 million over the next four years.

The objective of the European project is to obtain new composite materials – two or more materials combined together to create a new material with novel properties – based on the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. These materials may offer a variety of mechanical, electrical, and biocompatible benefits. To create these structures, scientists will develop varied positioning and alignments for the nanotubes inside the polymer matrix.

The engineers at Tekniker-IK4 rely on management experience as well as expertise in four related fields: precision and mechatronic engineering, surface engineering, production engineering, and manufacturing automation. Tekniker scientists will evaluate the characterization of the nanotubes, the behavior of composite materials, and the life-cycle analysis.

A consortium of research institutions, including the University of the Basque Country and the research center Cidetec, initiated this carbon nanotube research project, eventually joining research groups from around Europe with proven experience in the area of nanocomposites. Companies such as EADS, Fiat and Acciona are among 17 participants from nine different countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Greece and Argentina.