Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL)

🌍✨ The 32nd Leoben Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science 2024 came to a successful end! Under the topic “New Materials - New Perspectives”, scientists, industry experts and students from all over the world came together at Montanuniversität Leoben to discuss the latest developments in polymer technology. 🔑 The conference focused on pioneering developments in polymer technology and advances in the field of sustainable polymer processing and recycling ♻️🌍, which were explored in greater depth through inspiring keynote speeches 🎤 and scientific presentations 📊. 👏 We look forward to the next conference in 2025! The conference is jointly organized by PCCL and Kunststofftechnik Leoben. Photo credit: Montanuniversität Leoben / Harald Tauderer #LeobenConference #PolymerTechnology #Sustainability #Innovation #Plastics #Recycling #NewMaterials #FutureOfPlastics #ScienceAndTechnology

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As part of the Horizon Europe SURE-Poly project, dealing with “Sustainable and Recyclable Polymeric Thermosets”, our colleague David Reisinger spent six months at Monash University in Melbourne. 🧳✈️ His work focusses on the development of novel concepts for dynamic covalent polymer networks. By introducing switchable catalysts, the mechanical properties of the material are controlled in a spatially resolved and reversible manner. Outside of work, he mainly visited Victoria’s breathtaking national parks. Special thanks go to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Prof. Neil Cameron’s research group for their warm welcome, excellent hospitality and big support throughout the entire period.

In close collaboration with the Universität Innsbruck, the Universität Münster and Anton Paar, the PCCL recently published a research paper (https://lnkd.in/dkmPx6hh) in the renowned journal “Advanced Materials”. 👏 The article highlights the application of a photoswitchable nitrogen superbase as a novel catalyst in dynamic covalent polymers. By the exposure to UV or visible light, the macroscopic mechanical material properties are altered in a locally controlled manner. Finally, the resulting unique network characteristics enable advanced applications such as spatially resolved, reversible reshaping as well as micro-imprinting over multiple steps. 💡

💡 We are eager to share an in-depth look to Session B at the 32𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, focusing on "Polymers for Energy Transformation, Storage, and Transportation."    This session explores how polymers are revolutionizing the energy sector, with presentations on hydrogen storage, advanced coatings for battery safety, and innovative solutions for improving the performance of energy systems. Gain insights into how these breakthroughs are supporting the global energy transition. 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕: “𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻”   ➡️ Underground Sun Storage 2030 / EUH2STARS – 100% hydrogen storage in porous reservoirs (Matthias Greiml, RAG Austria AG)   ➡️ Thermomechanical Characterization and Simulation of Li-Ion Battery Components Johannes Macher (Polymer Competence Center Leoben)   ➡️ Development of smart coatings for safety applications in battery systems Daniel Bautista Anguís (Polymer Competence Center Leoben)   ➡️ Evaluating Encapsulant Materials for c-Si/Perovskite Tandem Modules Petra Christöfl (Polymer Competence Center Leoben)   ➡️ Importance of Cryogenic Testing Data for Composites – Matrix dominated properties and permeability (Michael Scheerer, Aerospace & Advanced Composites GmbH)   ➡️ High cycle fatigue and creep of reinforced PEEK for large size bearings in wind industry (Gabriel Stadler, Montanuniversität Leoben)   ➡️ Polyethylene pipes for distribution of gaseous hydrogen  (Florian Arbeiter, Montanuniversität Leoben)   ➡️ Enabling glass-free light weight PV modules using honeycomb structures (Nikolina Pervan, Polymer Competence Center Leoben)   Further information and registration at https://lnkd.in/dS4pcazy We look forward to welcoming you to Leoben for an enriching and inspiring conference. Stay tuned for more details and registration information!

𝗪𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our Scientific Managing Director, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃.-𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗻, on Sunday, September 29th, 2024, at the age of 60. His untimely death has deeply affected us all. Since 2008, as Professor of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials at Montanuniversität Leoben, Dr. Kern led our Polymer Competence Center with exceptional dedication, becoming our Scientific Managing Director in 2011. His boundless energy, vast expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing both research and the careers of his colleagues were admired by all. Under his leadership, PCCL became a leading center for cooperative research in polymer science and technology in Austria. He was deeply committed to the transfer of knowledge and technology, ensuring our research had meaningful impact. We have lost not only a brilliant scientist but also a valued colleague, mentor, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife and family during this difficult time.

We are excited to give insights to Session A of the 32nd Leoben Conference on Polymer Engineering and Science, where the focus will be on "Polymers for Sustainability and Circularity" ❗ This session will feature cutting-edge lecutures on sustainable polymer solutions, including innovations in packaging film recycling, smart coatings for battery safety, and addressing the challenges of circularity in winter sports equipment. ♻️   The Session offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts in polymer research and explore the latest technological advancements driving sustainability in the field. We look forward to your participation and to sharing these exciting developments with you: ➡️ Conventional, Biobased or Biodegradable Microplastic. Which one would you prefer? Ines Fritz, BOKU University   ➡️ Advances in the Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics: Methods and Technologies Michael Feuchter, Montanuniversität Leoben   ➡️ Recycling of packaging films: Properties enhancement and application Katerina Plevova, Montanuniversität Leoben   ➡️ Recycling of Wintersport Hardgoods: The Challenges of Circularity David Zidar, Montanuniversität Leoben   ➡️ Enhanced mechanical recycling of PP Jutta Geier, Polymer Competence Center Leoben   ➡️ Property prediction of polymers using spectroscopy Márton Bredács, Polymer Competence Center Leoben   ➡️ Wet mechanical processing of post- consumer plastics Daniel Schwabl, Circulyzer   ➡️ Repair solutions for PV modules with damaged polymer backsheets Sonja Feldbacher, Polymer Competence Center Leoben   ➡️ Sustainable polymers in coatings industry Martin Ocepek, Helios Resins Further information and registration at https://lnkd.in/dd_AJi4E 👈 We look forward to welcoming you to Leoben for an enriching and inspiring conference. Stay tuned for more details and registration information!

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Exciting presentation at PCCL today! Sara Dalle Vacche from the Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino had an very interesting lecture about "Cellulose fibers at micro/nano scale: a versatile resource for sustainable biobased materials" 👏 #PCCL #sustainability #biobasedmaterials #presentation

Congratulations Nikolina Pervan 👏👏