II Polymer Research WHITE PAPER in Germany 15 JULY 2018
Coordination Contributions and Editorial Team and support by more Prof. Dr. Martin Möller than 130 professors RWTH Aachen and Leibniz Institute DWI of polymer science in Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert Germany, as well as Friedrich Schiller University Jena industry representatives, scientific divisions and professional societies.
preface
he task of this white paper on polymer research is to contribute towards shaping and promoting of the re- search field and to draw attention to the expansion and integration of other sub-fields to one large scientific field of “Molecular Materials and Polymer Science”, which has already been initiated. The authors are convinced that this is one of the most exciting and most influential scientific fields of the 21st century. How- ever, due to its interdisciplinary interconnection its advancement is a challenge for universities and research institutes but also for future development of competitive support structures.
Rapidly developing integration of the research and lecture field of polymer science and other scientific areas with regard to molecular materials are the starting point. The appreciation of the research field in public and by the German research organisations does not go in line with its fundamental and technological importance. At the same time, the reputation of our research suffers from the prevalent concerns about health-related and ecological burdens, which are legitimate in individual cases (e.g., plastic waste). The white paper is not problem-oriented but intended to point out the major scientific changes and technological opportunities in a future-oriented manner. The variety and organic nature of (macro-)molecular materials opens up sustainable and ground-breaking perspectives, in particular in areas where developments are majorly triggered by the availability and mastery of material categories. The symbiosis of man-made material technology and nature that is possible with these kinds of materials is focussed on two aspects, (i) new and better performance with lower resource input and (ii) integration into our natural environ- ment and closed cycles. In essence, the future developments of the research field will deal with control of the properties and generation of complex, hierarchically structured materials as a basis for novel products and process developments, on the one hand, and with un- derstanding of the transition from dead to live matter as a special, fundamentally scientific challenge, on the other hand.
The verbalised future perspectives are first and foremost addressed to scientists, with the goal of promoting interdisciplinary coopera- tion and convergence but also to associations, the media, as well as funding agencies and supporters to illustrate the general importance of the progress perspectives on a larger scale.
Publishers
Prof. Dr. Martin Möller RWTH Aachen and DWI – Leibniz Institute for interactive materials, Aachen
Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert Friedrich Schiller University Jena
POLYMER RESEARCHIN GERMANY 3 coordination
Coordination
Prof. Dr. Martin Möller (RWTH Aachen and DWI – Leibniz Institute for interactive materials, Aachen) Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)
With contributions and support by the following scientists
Prof. Dr. Volker Abetz (University of Hamburg), Prof. Dr. Volker Altstädt (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Annette Andrieu-Brunsen (TU Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Markus Antonietti (Max Planck Institute of Col- loids and Interfaces, Golm), Prof. Dr. Christopher Barner-Kowollik (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT), Prof. Dr. Matthias Ballauff (Helmholtz Centre Berlin for Materials and Energy), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian (SKZ Würzburg), Prof. Dr. Mario Beiner (Fraunhofer IMWS Halle), Prof. Dr. Pol Besenius (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz), Prof. Dr. Sabine Beuermann (TU Clausthal), Dr. Ruth Bieringer (Freudenberg, Weinheim), Prof. Dr. Markus Biesalski (TU Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Binder (Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg), Prof. Dr. Paul Blom (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz), Prof. Dr. Bernhard Blümich (RWTH Aachen), Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker (Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research, Potsdam), Prof. Dr. Mischa Bonn (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz), Prof. Dr. Hans G. Börner (Humboldt University of Berlin), Prof. Dr. Michael R. Buch- meiser (University of Stuttgart and Institute for Textiles Chemistry and Chemical Fibres, Denkendorf), Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Butt (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz), Prof. Dr. Marcelo Calderon (Free University of Berlin), Prof. Dr. Helmut Cölfen (University of Konstanz), Prof. Dr. Xinliang Feng (TU Dresden) Prof. Dr. Andreas Fery (Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden – IPF), Prof. Dr. Dagmar Fischer (Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena), Prof. Dr. Stephan Förster (Jülich Research Centre), Prof. Dr. Peter Fratzl (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Golm), Prof. Dr. Holger Frey (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz), Dr. Thomas Früh (Arlanxeo Deutschland GmbH, Leverkusen), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Giese (German Institute of Rubber Technology Hanover and Leibniz University of Hanover), Dr. Patrick Glöckner (Evonik, Essen), Prof. Dr. Achim Göpferich (University of Regensburg), Prof. Dr. Michael Gradzielski (TU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Andreas Greiner (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Jürgen Groll (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Guido Grundmeier (University of Paderborn), Prof. Dr. Franziska Gröhn (Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg), Jun.-Prof. Dr. André H. Gröschel (University of Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Dr. Rainer Haag (Free University of Berlin), Prof. Dr. Christian Hackenberger (Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, Berlin), Dr. Martin D. Hager (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Prof. Dr. Laura Hartmann (Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf), Prof. Dr. Andreas Hartwig (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials and University of Bremen), Prof. Dr. Stefan Hecht (Humboldt University of Berlin), Prof. Dr. Gert Heinrich (Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden – IPF), Prof. Dr. Thomas Heinze (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Prof. Dr. Andreas Herrmann (RWTH Aachen), Dr. Michael Hilt (Re- search Society for Pigments and Coatings Research Society for Pigments and Coatings), Prof. Dr. Dariush Hinderberger (Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg), Prof. em. Hartwig Höcker (Aachen), Prof. Dr. Sigurd Höger (University of Bonn), apl. Prof. Dr. Eike G. Hübner (TU Clausthal), Jun.-Prof. Dr. Sven Hüttner (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Rainer Jordan (TU Dresden), Prof. Dr. Matthias Karg (Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf), Dr. Stefan Kirsch (BASF), Prof. Dr. Doris Klee (RWTH Aachen), Jun.- Prof. Dr. Daniel Klinger (Free University of Berlin), Prof. Dr. Regine von Klitzing (TU Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Joachim Koetz (University of Potsdam), Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kremer (University of Leipzig), Prof. Dr. Jörg Kressler (Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg), Prof. Dr. Kurt Kremer (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz), Prof. Dr. Lothar Kroll (TU Chemnitz), Prof. Dr. Dirk Kuckling (University of Paderborn), Prof. Dr. Katharina Landfester (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz), Dr. Gerhard Langstein (Covestro, Leverkusen), Prof. Dr. André Laschewsky (University of Potsdam), Prof. Dr. Marga Lensen (TU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Yan Lu (Helmholtz Centre Berlin for Materials and Energy), Prof. Dr. Sabine Ludwigs (University of Stuttgart), Prof. Dr. Gerrit Luinstra (University of Hamburg), Prof. Dr. Robert Luxenhofer (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg), Prof. Dr. Robert Magerle (TU Chemnitz), Prof. Dr. Stefan Mecking (University of Konstanz), Prof. Dr. Michael Meier (Karlsruhe Institute of Techno- logy – KIT), Prof. Dr.-Ing Dieter Meiners (TU Clausthal), Prof. Dr. Rolf Mülhaupt (University of Freiburg),
4 POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY and support
Prof. Dr. Axel Müller (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz), Prof. Dr. Marcus Müller (Georg August University of Göttingen), Prof. Dr. Dieter Neher (University of Potsdam), Dr. Jürgen Omeis (Altana, Wesel am Rhein), Prof. Dr. Georg Papastavrou (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Kalina Peneva (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Prof. Dr. Andrij Pich (RWTH Aachen), Prof. Dr. Matthias Rehahn (TU Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Günter Reiter (University of Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Markus Retsch (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Walter Richtering (RWTH Aachen), Prof. Dr. Bernhard Rieger (TU München), Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rühe (University of Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Kay Saalwächter (Martin Luther University of Halle- Wittenberg), Prof. Dr. Felix H. Schacher (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Dr. Volker Schaedler (BASF, Lemförde), Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Christoph Schick (University of Rostock), Prof. Dr. Friederike Schmid (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz), Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Schmidt (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Holger Schönherr (University of Siegen), Prof. Dr. Peter H. Seeberger (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam), Prof. Dr. Sebastian Seiffert (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz), Prof. Dr. Jens-Uwe Sommer (Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden – IPF), Prof. Dr. Michael Sommer (TU Chemnitz), Prof. Dr. Stefan Spange (TU Chemnitz), Prof. Dr. Anne Staubitz (University of Bremen), Dr. Nicolas Stöckel (Covestro, Leverkus- en), Prof. Dr. Peter Strohriegl (University of Bayreuth), Prof. Dr. Andreas Taubert (University of Potsdam), Prof. Dr. Patrick Théato (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT), Prof. Dr. Thomas Thurn-Albrecht (Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg), Prof. Dr. Jörg C. Tiller (TU Dortmund), Prof. Dr. Andrey Turchanin (Friedrich Schiller University of Jena), Prof. Dr. Mathias Ulbricht (University of Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Dr. Philipp Vana (Georg August University of Göttingen), Prof. Dr. Nico van der Vegt (TU Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Nicolas Vogel (Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg), Prof. Dr. Brigitte Voit (Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden – IPF, TU Dresden), Prof. Dr. Andreas Walther (Univer- sity of Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Ralf Weberskirch (TU Dortmund), Prof. Dr. Tanja Weil (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz), Prof. Dr. Gerhard Wenz (Saarland University), Prof. Dr. Carsten Werner (Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden – IPF, TU Dresden), Prof. Dr. Matthias Wessling (RWTH Aachen), Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sven Wießner (TU Dresden), Prof. Dr. Manfred Wilhelm (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – KIT), Prof. Dr. Alexander Wittemann (University of Konstanz), Prof. Dr. Frank Würthner (Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg), Dr. Stefan Zechel (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), Prof. Dr. Rudolf Zentel (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz).
Supported by the following scientific divisions and professional societies
Supported by the Supported by the Division of Polymer Research Division of Coating Chemicals of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh)
Supported by the Supported by the Division of Macromolecular Chemistry Division of Chemical Physics of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) and Polymer Physics of the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY 5 contents
Part I: Synopsis and recommended actions ...... 7
Recommended actions ...... 11
Part II: Polymer science in Germany ...... 12
1. Status and importance of polymer science in Germany ...... 14
1.1 Research field ...... 14 1.2 Applications ...... 14
2. Development of a widened research field of molecular materials whose limits and challenges extend beyond the core of polymer sciences ...... 17
2.1 The complexity of macromolecular materials as a guiding principle of polymer research ...... 18 2.2 Where will the increasing control of complexity lead us? ...... 20
3. Significance of the extended research field in the universities ...... 23
4. Integration of the extended research field into the support and examination structures of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft ...... 26
5. Organisational challenges for future further development ...... 27
6 POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY I
Part I: Synopsis and recommended actions
POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY 7 I
aking H. Staudinger’s concept of macromolecules (Nobel Prize in 1953 “for his discoveries in the field of macromolecular chemistry”, Freiburg) as a basis, unique, world-changing scientific discoveries and technologies were developed. This is closely related to explosive increase of knowledge but also in-depth specialisation and diversification of the sciences that deal with different aspects of (soft) molecular matter. In this way, a number of scientific schools were formed, that are guided by synthetic macromolecules as polymer sciences, on the one hand, and research of the function and application of biomacromolecules as part of life sciences, on the other hand. The driver for this specialisation firstly was the unparalleled technical success of plastics, paints, elastomers, functional polymers and composite materials, and secondly the ground-breaking developments with regard to the molecular understanding in life sciences.
The significance of polymers is generally attributed to their structural properties and their use as materials. Through the last decades, the group of functional polymers and polymer-based additives has gained more and more importance. For example, approximately 20 % of the BASF sales are due to plastics but more than 50 % of the BASF products contain macromolecules or are largely based on macromolecules. The economic importance of polymers is even more significant with regard to the end products. The progress in connection with biomacromolecules is due to clarification of the interconnection of structural, functional and information properties but also increasingly allows for new synthetic approaches (cue: synthetic biology).
With regard to the capability of molecular storage and transfer of information, the synthetic macromol- ecules lag far behind despite the great progress in accurate synthesis. Polymer scientists have started systematically dealing with these challenges. The most important key words are: Supramolecular chemistry, self-assembly and the transfer from molecule to functional systems. While control of equilibrium-driven pro- cesses is frantically developed further and has meanwhile been incorporated in technical applications for materials from the field of materials, life, and bio-sciences, other aspects that are required for development of adaptive molecular systems are still at the very beginning. This refers to switchability through external influences, among others, as is required for future-oriented concepts, such as self-healing, reversible and switched changes in shape or for biomimetic robotics. Many aspects of these systems, also referred to as 4D materials (3D of space, 1D of time) are still in their infancy. Concepts for self-regulation, targeted adaptation in complex sensoric maps or even for “learning materials” are largely unknown. The background for these developments, that are sometimes also referred to as “bioinspired materials engineering”, is our increasing capability and understanding of cross-scale correlations and handling thereof. The expression “cross-scale” refers to the spatial dimensions from molecules to components, on the one hand, and to time scale-dynamic processes of less than a pico second up to years, as well as the reach and cooperativity of the interactive forces. These are topics that are intensely worked at in the field of soft matter physics. For knowledge- and understanding-oriented research the result is that the underlying complexity of deterministic clarification of the structure-property relationships poses certain limits and may lead to emergent properties and meta material effects in extreme cases and thus represent a special scientific challenge. The critical phenomena already reveal that collective interaction of many units may result in behaviour of novelty quality. Such as- pects are also considered central for understanding of collective non-equilibrium phenomena.
Development of unique (quantitative) structure-property relationships increasingly reaches its limits, also for polymer materials that seem to be simple at first glance. In this context, it is mainly the complex mod- ifications and the resulting new morphologies or heterogeneities occurring during processing and under load that counteract development of universal structure-properties relationships. In addition, the materials should also be suitable for targeted modification, even after processing. Therefore, the aim should be a molecularly informed structure-process-properties control that, upon correct use, makes modifications of polymer materials predictable and thus controllable.
Consequently, management of the complexity of synthetic macromolecular materials, composites and functional units represents a challenge for chemists, physicists and engineers alike, that spans the entire field of research. Methodological key elements are further development of physical characterisation meth- ods and handling of very detailed information, in addition to chemical synthesis. This particularly involves the capability for simulation of cross-scale structures and processes throughout the entire cycle, from material formation, its function and ageing through to metathesis for new applications.
8 POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY I
mm
Materials 100 and Litho ra hy and Syste s other Miniaturization 10 Physics Theory and Si ulation µm
100 Molecular 10 Syste s n ineerin nm
100 Precision Synthesis and Self asse bly Ato s 10 and Molecules ioen ineerin pm
1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 2050
Figure 1: Overview of the drivers and interdisciplinary interconnections for development of molecular materials. In addition to control of length scales that become ever smaller (top-down) progress is defined by the increasing ability for synthesis and molecular simulation of ever growing units (bottom-up).
While in the past polymer sciences have become established as a separate and autonomous scientific field through development of special methods and insights, new issues and solutions increasingly distil from the task-oriented and multidisciplinary pooling of methods and processes. Consequently, the influ- ence of polymer science on other disciplines is increasing and simultaneously the influence from other fields on polymer science through new developments and problems is growing. Therefore, it is important to pick up on these dynamics and consistently develop them. The growing trans-disciplinary cooperation of scientists involved in this field is characteristic.
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the way of developing a starting situation from cooperation and pooling of disciplinary successes, from which not only a better understanding for structure-property relationships can be derived but also the possibility for designing new properties and materials (from molecule to material & system).
Against this background, future research in the field of molecular materials does not only require rein- forcement of the collaboration among chemists, physicists and engineers but also increasing integration of mathematicians, computer scientists, biologists and medical scientists. In this context, it is a challenge for the established methodology to consolidate and quantify deterministic, stochastic and heuristic meth- ods. For the research work in this field, this results in the requirement to establish a convergence of disciplinary competences as a new paradigm of the scientific strategy and organisation.1
Scientists have long started to face the increasing requirements for convergence in research by numerous approaches (structured schemes of the DFG, such as CRCs, RTGs, the BMBF, the European Commis- sion, etc.). In contrast to that, the structures of our scientific system continue to be largely discipline-orient- ed. The reason for this is the objective of preservation and further development of the established fields of competence and scientific methods as embedded in the theory. This results in a conflict between the necessity for discipline-specific tenet and the interdisciplinary scientific problems, which is resolved only
1 “Convergence: Facilitating Transdisciplinary Integration of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Beyond” by the Com- mittee on Key Challenge Areas for Convergence and Health; Board on Life Sciences; Division on Earth and Life Studies; National Research Council, THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 2014, ISBN 978-0-309-30151-0 | DOI 10.17226/18722.
POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY 9 I
hesitantly and rather late in Germany in comparison with international competitors. For polymer sciences the consequence is a dilemma between the established competence and its specific further development, on the one hand, and the necessity for consolidation of various disciplines, on the other. At the same time, active convergence represents a challenge for the presence and visibility of the discipline with regard to autonomous scientific methods and the related scientific doctrine. However, not all fields of polymer sci- ence are equally affected by the necessity to open up for convergence. While clear distinctions from other chemical/physical fields of molecular systems, such as supramolecular chemistry and colloid science are increasingly eliminated for many new approaches, important and discipline-defining developments in the core areas of polymer materials, macromolecular synthesis and physics of polymers are also expected in future. Nevertheless, there must also be close transdisciplinary intertwining in these areas, to prevent many new developments from grasping at nothing.
Taking the compiled analysis of the interaction of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary developments in the field of molecular and macromolecular materials in part II of this white paper as a basis, our goal is to illustrate the cornerstones and recommendations for future developments of this field of research. Clear definition of the objectives, opportunities and challenges within this discipline will be of great importance, both in the competition for the best brains and in seeking support from society. The latter is based on the understanding of the importance of macromolecular materials for all spheres of life but also on the belief that new developments can be designed in an environmentally friendly way. This also refers to translation into products, added value and employment, which takes place in added value networks and thus chang- es the business models of the companies involved, already today. We ask the question of how to formulate an extended definition of the scientific field that does not dilute development and progress of the polymer science’s success story, on the one hand, and at the same time leaves enough room for supporting the successes resulting from convergence on an international competitive level expected in future, on the oth- er hand. From this also results the requirements for developing new models for assignment of resources and administration/organisation of scientific work to foster convergence and thus obtain desirable knowl- edge networks in the width and depth required in the mid-run.
Part II of the present white paper includes five sections:
• Section 1 gives a short overview of the status and importance of polymer sciences in Germany. • Section 2 concentrates on the development of a widened research field of molecular materials whose limits and challenges extend beyond the core of polymer sciences. • Section 3 deals with the status of the extended research field in the universities. • Section 4 analyses integration of the extended research field into the support and examination structures of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft • Section 5 sums up the organisational challenges for future further development.
Using the analysis of the development of polymer science in Germany and the experience from the various requirements and support schemes for polymer research in Germany, as well as its status with regard to international competition as specified in part II, the authors involved in writing this paper have formulated a number of principal and general recommendations for action.
10 POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY I
Recommended actions
Understanding and control of the properties and generation of complex, hierarchically structured materials is one of the great scientific challenges that can hardly or not at all be mastered within the framework of the historically grown disciplinary structures. At the same time, progress in the development of molecular materials promises innovative product and process developments and thus become technology-defining. Support and sustainable improvement of the competitive position of this research in Germany must be a central concern of research politics, research support as well as education politics and the economy. Greater consideration and appreciation by German and European research promotion is essential.
The changes within the field of research must be taken into account. The progress made in the past and development of physics and chemistry that increasingly allow for control of the transi- tion from molecules to systems require detailed and comprehensive definition of the research field that goes beyond the core area of polymer sciences. A suggestion is the expression of “Molecular Materials and Polymer Science”. Synthesis may be taken as the connecting element - not in the sense of a chemical recipe but in the sense of a natural science construction and function principle of complex molecular systems (“biologisation” of materials science).
Convergence of the scientific disciplines must be supported by organisational and administra- tive measures with regard to the structure of research institutes and facilities. The interdiscipli- nary organisation of non-university science institutions could be taken as a model; however, this approach has only been adopted by few universities (e.g., Bayreuth) when it comes to the focus with regard to appointment proceedings. Another option results from the alliances with non-university science institutes (e.g., Aachen, Berlin-Potsdam, Dresden or Mainz) with regard to research and education.
The growing importance of convergence for future development of the research field must be taken into account in organisation of research support and funding. In this context, the applica- tion-oriented research must stay abreast of the long-term and sustainable significance of ena- blers, such as synthesis and catalysis, materials development, simulation and characterisation of material modifications during intended product life. For promotion of fundamental research it should be considered to establish a new interdisciplinary specialist forum within the DFG. This should also include further aspects of materials research, simulation, photonics, synthetic biosciences, etc..
The appreciation and visibility of the field of research as a fundamental challenge must be pro- moted with the aim of achieving stronger identification of the scientists involved: a) By improved foothold within the teaching curriculum and through support of the sites’ profiles. In this context, the basic disciplinary education that teaches methodological core competences of the subjects must be maintained by interconnection of common problems and methodo- logical differences: Chemists, biologists, physicists and engineers as experts for molecular materials.2 The boundary areas of physics, chemistry and biology must be made more penetrable with regard to master’s theses and dissertations. This can be achieved by structured education of postgraduates that focuses on elaborating fundamental coherences of disciplinary findings and including aspects of interdisciplinary relationships in tests and exams. An example for this are PhD schemes established in the US. b) By improved collaboration among scientific divisions in representation of the scientific field to the public and organisation of events (GDCh, Bunsen Society, DPG, Dechema, VDI). c) Through European internationalisation of the work performed in the scientific divisions. In view of the dominant international role of US associations in “Promotion of Science”, Europeanisation should also make European integration a priority and provide appropriate support.
2 White paper – Chemistry as a driver for innovation in materials research.
POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY 11 II
12 POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY II
Part II: Polymer sciences in Germany
POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY 13 II
1. Status and importance of polymer science in Germany
1.1 Research field
otwithstanding its great economic and scientific success, polymer science only evolved around 100 years ago and thus is a fairly new discipline in comparison with other classical disciplines in chemistry and physics. That is characterised by its high degree of interdisci- plinarity. As a sub-field of polymer science and with its strong orientation focusing on struc- ture-properties relationships, macromolecular chemistry combines insights and research problems from organic chemistry with rather special approaches of physical chemistry and colloid chemistry. These are combined with side relations to inorganic chemistry, such as catalysis (from polymer synthesis to polymer carriers), composite structures and inorganic polymers. Also, the interconnections with biotechnology and biology are evident due to synthesis / expression of highly defined bio-macromolecules (e.g., proteins, DNA). In addition to physical chemistry of polymers, physics of soft matter with a much broader footprint has evolved. This sub-field in turn contributes towards further development of physics through polymer physics, biophysics, colloid physics, non-equilibrium physics and basic approaches on critical phenom- ena. On the basis of biological compatibility of macromolecules and function of bio-macromolecules, connection points of polymer science with the disciplines of biology, biochemistry, as well as medicine and pharmaceutics are evolving more and more.
In the light of its diverse significance for technical developments, strong application orientation and practi- cal focus is characteristic for many fields of polymer science. However, due to this application orientation, conflicting priorities between molecule-related considerations (chemistry/physics) and technical orien- tation towards macroscopic properties have developed. In future, the development of the discipline will benefit from the combination of engineering, heuristic modelling with scientific insights. This is due to the molecular understanding enabling new engineering and scientific solutions, on the one hand, and these engineering and scientific solutions helping in management of the complexity of materials, on the other hand.
Currently, the scientific discipline is suffering from the fact that the sub-fields involved do not “do enough talking”. This also becomes evident by the discrepancies in the terminology found in various publications, which makes networking and mutual citation very difficult.
1.2 Applications
n the field of plastics manufacturing and processing, of rubbers and textiles technology, as well as mechanical engineering for plastics, polymer science is a major innovation driver. For other industries, polymer science also plays a central role due to the wide range of applications of molecular materials. Polymers are basic elements in paints and coats, used as additives, e.g., in concrete and in food or as adhesives in joining technology. Electronic components would not be existent any more without polymers. A comparable role is assumed by elastomers in the field of mobility (e.g., tyres, drive belts and damping elements). Polymers are used for membranes and as precipitation and absorption agents in environmental technology and in cosmetics and/or medical formulations. In the latter industries they are also used as carriers for active agents. A list of key words of application fields is provided in Figure 2. Moreover, the requirements for environmental and bio- logical compatibility increasingly represent new challenges with regard to production, properties and complete integration into economic and natural cycles. This necessity becomes particularly evident through the fact that plastics have so far only been recycled in an insufficient manner (less than 10% in 2015).3 Uncontrolled release results in environmental pollution, particularly of the oceans – degra- dation of plastics may take up to several centuries. This also goes in line with the problematic situation
3 R. Geyer, J. R. Jambeck, K. L. Law, Sci. Adv. 2017, 3, e1700782.
14 POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY II
Lubricants Fluid Mechanics Composites Biomaterials Water Research Electrical Engineering Pharmacy Construction Engineering Electronics Materials Lightweight Construction Architecture Soft Matter Mechanics Dentistry Immunology Biomedical Technology Elastomer Food Technology Machine Element Functional Materials Coating Technology
Figure 2: List of keywords for the fields of application of polymers.
of microplastics4 that may arise through the degradation process, on the one hand, or as primary particle through washing of synthetic fibres or abrasion from tyres.
The polymer industry enabling and promoting these diverse applications is a major player both in Germany and in Europe. Of the 322 M tonnes of plastics produced globally, the European share is as much as 60 M tonnes. This results in a European turnover for the plastics industry of 350 billion Euro per year, with Germany achieving 90 billion Euro. The plastics sector’s share in the industrial production in Germany is 6%. Approximately 6,000 companies employ an overall of 393,000 persons. The Ger- man rubber industry (tyres and technical elastomer products) has been employing a consistent 75,000 persons for years, with a turnover volume of 11.3 billion Euro, overall. It is the highly specific properties of rubbers and elastomers that enable modern transport and logistics concepts. The national consump- tion of synthesised rubbers, including high-performance special rubbers in 2016 was 41,400 tonnes of a total of 674,500 tonnes (incl. natural rubber).
However, the highest-revenue polymer materials have already been developed as early as the 1930s to 1950s (ranging from polyamides, to polyolefins and polycarbonate). In the subsequent years, it was mainly new special polymers and highly significant polymer improvements thatdevelopment focused on. These were based on fundamental chemical innovations. Rubbers Production of plastic material and elastomers are examples in million tons for mass productions. Only their highly developed properties en- 335 able modern transport, traffic and logistics concepts. High-per- WORLD formance polymers, polymer WIDE additives for lubricants, paints, cosmetic applications and oth- ers demonstrate that molecularly 60 controlled properties of polymers significantly contribute towards IN EUROPE development of complex formu- lations and components.
Figure 3 also reveals that there Figure 3a: Plastics production quantities. is an increasing shift in produc-
4 Small plastic particles of a few mm in size.
POLYMER RESEARCH IN GERMANY 15 II
Key data of plastic industry 2015