Chalmers, the Swerea IVF research institute and the University of Borås have received $2 million (14.7M SEK) to develop high quality carbon polymer nanocomposites (CPNC) and novel CPNC devices. Researchers will investigate high piezoelectric response in carbon nanotube (CNT ) modified PVDF materials and new fibers to enable efficient lightweight fiber/textile based actuators and sensors. Durable electrically conductive textile fibers that fulfill requirements for mechanical and tactile properties to be used as building blocks in various smart textiles applications will also be sought. Photorefractive (PR) layers yielding stable operation in the whole visible and near-IR ranges for electromagnetic/optical uses will be researched. Scientists will seek to obtain well defined carbon nanodisks (CND) and to use them for new semiconductive composites based on polyolefins for high voltage insulative layers.
The five-year project, called "Lightweight electro-active fibres/textiles/layers and preparation of novel devices" is funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. Its main goal is to develop high quality polymer nanocomposites and consequently novel devices possessing enhanced piezoelectric, electrical conductivity, photorefractive (PR), and electrical insulation functions.
Sub-projects:
* Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) materials and new fibres thereof to enable lightweight fibre/textile based actuators and sensors.
* Durable electrically conductive textile fibers fulfilling requirements on mechanical and tactile properties PR (photorefractive) layers yielding stable operation in the whole visible and near-IR ranges for electromagnetic/optical uses.
* Semiconductive composites based on polyolefins for high voltage insulative layers.
The research will be carried out by the Department of materials and manufacturing technology at Chalmers university of technology in Gothenburg, the Swerea-IVF research institute in Borås and the School of engineering at the University of Borås.
