Objectives

      The complex project proposed has scientific, technical, economic and social objectives, all of them in accordance with the objectives of the European platform PT4 – EuMaT and of the related platforms SusChem, ENIAC and Manufuture, of the national program CEEX, as well as with the strategies of the European research frame programmes, the national strategy in the domain of the partners involved.

      From the scientific point of view, the main objective consists of the development of theories, methods, techniques of manufacture and characterisation and all necessary models for the new generation of polymer nanocomposite dielectrics with insulating properties. The interest is especially on the selection of nanofillers dimension and morphology, on the homogenous dispersion at nanoscale of the organic or inorganic filler in polymer, on the filler-polymer interfaces and on all these factors’ influence on the thermo-mechanical properties, flammability, and electrical insulating properties

Problems proposed to be solved, related to the present state of the art and the project topic

Strategic objectives

      Reinforcing of training, research and innovation capability of involved partners strongly related to requirements of leading European industry, by:

• human resources development
• development of the infrastructure for electrical and thermo-mechanical properties analysis of the nanocomposites
• support for the dissemination and exploitation of IPR, aiming at the European competitiveness
• improvement of environment and working conditions
• strengthening the link with industry
• extension towards new timely interdisciplinary areas

Existent tehnical problems that will be considered

• Development of nanocomposites with layered inorganic fillers:
  1. Methods to manufacture nanocomposites with perfectly layer-exfoliated fillers;
  2. Cost reduction in manufacturing methods.
• Development of nanocomposites based on common polymers (such as PE, PP, PS, PVC, PET and epoxi resin);
• Development of nanocomposites using Sol-Gel Methods:
  1. Cost reduction in manufacturing methods;
  2. Nanocomposites with a small amount of suprfine nanoparticles.
• Crossover of nanocomposite technology with conventional technology;
• Development of nanocomposites with special functions;
• Steady acquisition of fundamental data:
  1. Dynamics data;
  2. Effect of organic/inorganic modifiers, dispersants, compatibizers;
  3. Reproducibility by proper material processing.

Measurable objectives

Assessment criteria	Expected values
Number of newly acquired property analyzing equipment to be used for research;	Min 2
Number of total actual research fellow-months;	Min 200
Number of early stage researchers involved;	Min 4
Articles published during the research project;	Min 6
Participation and papers in international conferences;	Min 8
Number of FP7 submitted proposals and the success rate;	Min 1 successful
Number of combinations polymer-filler tested	Min 14
Number of new nanocomposite polymer dielectrics with insulating properties proposed for industrial applications	Min 2

Explanation of the conformity of the proposed objectives with the objectives and priorities of the programme

Program goals, objectives and priorities

Specific objectives of the program:

• to attract, develop and concentrate human and material resources;
• scientific and technical competence and necessary investments for the development of a scientific or technological sector / domain which include: R&D national institute, centers / departments of universities, laboratories for experimenting and testing, organizations for standardization and certification;
• promotion of participation of R&D units and institutes from Romania in European and international research programs and the link with the European research area, including the integration into the European technological platforms;

PoNaDIP project goals and activities

• The capacity to attract funds has been proven by the previous national and European projects.
• The PoNaDIP consortium includes centers, laboratories and research groups from a top university, as well as research teams from research institutes and from a private company among the leading international manufacturers of technical laminates, composite materials and electrical insulation materials.
• The participation to the European technological platform PT4-EuMaT dedicated to advanced engineering materiales and technologies and to the frame program FP7 are the declared objectives of the PoNaDIP project. The chances that these objectives be reached is guaranteed by the past successes and by the excellent European partnerships.

Objectives specific to complex research and development projects :

• OS1: Increase of the competitiveness of the national economy;
• OS2: Development of science, services, technologies and top applications, in view of linking with the priorities and objectives specific to the European Research Area;
• OS 3: The development of the fundamental research in order to acquire advanced knowledge, to ensure the reservoir of methods, techniques, procedures, (OS4:) models and theories aiming the increase of value and (OS5:) scientific visibility on international level;
• OS6:Integration in the corresponding technological platforms at European level;
• OS7: Development of research and development activities and infrastructures at regional level, with social and economic impact.
• O1: Efficient management of resources: OS2, OS7
• O2: Development of theoretical support required by the new methodologies: OS4
• O3: Development of techniques an methods for manufacturing and characterization of polymer nanocomposites: OS3
• O4: Experimental validation of the methodology and "its fine tuning ": OS3
• O5: Results exploitation: OS1, OS5.