Section Functional Polymers Empa has been involved in construction materials and metallic materials for decades. With the founding of the functional polymers section it is now systematically expanding its activities in this highly promising class of plastics. The development of functional polymers and their use for versatile innovative applications will be a perfect fit for Empas existing activities in mechanical polymer characterization, engineering applications or useful life analysis of plastic structures, to name but a few. Functional polymers are polymers with special electrical, optical and biological properties. They are used as active elements in semiconductor technology, for example, as LEDs or LCDs, and for membrane, catalysis or sensor applications. They are increasingly important in electrical and energy engineering, communication and information technology, but of particular significance in medical technology. Christiane Löwe is the interim head of department. Technical information: Dr. Pierangelo Gröning, Section nanotech@surfaces, Tel. +41 (0)26 / 300 90 68, e-mail: pierangelo.groening@empa.ch Dr Christiane Löwe, Section Functional Polymers, Tel. +41 (0)1 823 44 99, e-mail: christiane.loewe@empa.ch |