Block copolymers for nanotechnology applications

31 May 2016

The European Polymer Conference (Eupoc) 2016 of the European Polymer Federation (EPF) on “Block Copolymers for Nanotechnology Applications” was held in Gargnano (Brescia, Italy) on the last May 22-26. The conference was organised by president of AIM Michele Laus (University of Piemonte Orientale, Italy) and Peter Müller-Buschbaum (Technische Universität of München, Germany), in collaboration with the University of Pisa that supported the administrative part of the conference, and the University of Milan, that kindly provided the Palazzo Feltrinelli as the venue site. Special thanks also go to the Italian Association of Polymer Science and Technology (AIM) that supported the organisation at many levels.

The theme of the Eupoc 2016 ”Block Copolymers for Nanotechnology Applications”, was a really significant one at the cutting edge of Polymer Science and Technology. In fact, it has attracted a significant number of participants (around 140) from more than 28 countries. As this was a record in comparison to the usual number of participants, the Comune of Gargnano kindly offered a bigger venue, the Castellani hall.

The program of the conference was shaped in such a way (12 invited lectures, 2 keynotes, 48 oral communications, and 60 poster papers) to encompass a broad range of topics, from nanolithography to membranes and materials for energy applications.

There were also two poster sessions and Macromolecular Journals from Wiley and Elsevier offered three prizes for the best posters.

“More than 50% of the participants were young researchers in polymer chemistry, physics, engineering and materials science, and we hope that the conference, with its informal style, will help them to enlarge their visions in research”, said Michele Laus and Peter Müller-Buschbaum. “The scientific and practical organisation of the Eupoc conferences is one of the most significant contributions provided by the Italian AIM to the activities of the European Polymer Federation and we hope that the success of this edition will further increase the role of AIM in promoting science and technology of polymeric materials in Italy and beyond. We would also like to sincerely thank the conference sponsors – Inrim (Italian Metrological Institute), American Elements, Elsevier and Wiley - for the generous support”.