This document describes the Micro-scale Polymer Processing 2 (μPP2) project, a multi-institutional collaboration between universities and chemical/polymer industries. The project aims to model polymer synthesis, processing, properties and performance using experimental probes, theoretical modelling, and multiscale computational methods. It brings together expertise across polymer synthesis, rheology, multi-phase systems, crystallization, software development and more. The goal is to better integrate polymer science, processing technology and business needs to drive innovations.

1. Micro-scale Polymer Processing 2:
Multiscale Modelling of Entangled Polymers

2. Polymer Processing in the 21st
century?
Reaction Chemistry
Molecular shape
Melt Rheology
“Good processing”

3. The Scaffold Concept
INDUSTRY
Solid state Materials testing
Properties Modelling
Model Processing
Flow Rig
Processing Flow computation
Molecular Configuration
Probes
Advanced Rheological
Characterisation
Rheology Molecular Theory
Polymer characterisation
Synthesis
Synthesis Scale up

4. The Principle
• “Follow the
processing path of Solid state Materials testing
well characterised Modelling
polymers from
synthesis through Model Processing
Flow Rig
processing and Flow computation
Molecular Configuration
property evaluation Probes
combined with the Advanced Rheological
Characterisation
parallel
development of a Molecular Theory
mathematical and Polymer characterisation
computational Synthesis Scale up
protocol.”

5. The μPP2 Structure
A Matrix approach to Industrial demand and technical opportunity
Platform V: Solid State Properties
Platform IV: Flow Visualisation
Platform III: Experimental Probes
Platform II: Theoretical Molecular Modelling
Platform I: Synthesis and Characterisation
Stm2: TOOLBOX Stm3: 2-PHASE
Stm1: CRYSTAL

6. The μPP2 Management
+ Special task groups:
• Rheology team
• Synthesis team
• Solid State team
• Flow solving software team
• PDRA conference

7. The μPP2 in numbers
~ £5 000 000 (EPSRC)
Funding
~ £500 000 (Industrial Partners – membership fee)
4 years (2006 – 2009)
Duration
Organisations 8 UK and European Universities
8 Chemical and Polymer Industries
24 Academic Faculty and Staff Members
Academic
participants 26 Postdoctoral and Research Associates
Synthesis and Experimental
•Polymer •Theoretical
Areas of
Rheology and Polymer
Interest •Multi-phase systems
Processing
•Crystallizing Polymers
•Scattering Methods and Optical
•Software development
Visualization
•Knowledge Transfer
•Solid State Properties

8. The Academic Team
Tom McLeish, Peter Olmsted, Oliver Harlen, Peter Hine, Peter
Jimack, Alexei Likhtman, Daniel Read, Rozen Tenchev, Mark
Walkley, John Embery, Jorge Ramirez, Chinmay Das, Richard
Graham, Harley Klein, Dietmar Auhl, Kamakshi Jagannathan, Manlio
Tassieri, Suneel Kunamaneni, Michael Kapnistos, Frederico
Roschzttardtz, Ahamadi Malidi.
Malcolm Mackley, David Hassell, Simon Butler, Moises Garcia-
Morales, Tim Lord
Paul Buckley, Huaxiang Li , Davide de Focatiis
Lian Hutchins, Nigel Clarke, Eduardo de Luca, Solomon Kumani,
Jonathan Dodds
Tony Ryan, Ellen Heeley, Patrick Fairclough, Ron Young, Christine
Fernyhough, Sasha Mykhaylyk, Pierre Chambon
Phil Coates, Tim Gough, Fin Caton-Rose
Han Meijer, Leon Govaert, Gerit Peters, Rudi Steenbakkers
Helen Wilson, Mehmet Sahin

9. The Past & Future of Polymer R&D
Z Tadmor, Workshop : Touchstones of modern polymer processing, 2002

10. Knowledge Transfer Role
• Liaison between Academia and Industry.
• Investigate feasibility of suggested projects within μPP
framework. Identify goals of project.
• Identify people, expertise and resources to be put
together and have the job done.
• Follow the progress and provide timeframes within the
projects should be deliverable.
• Ensure confidentiality of research and data and
knowledge exchange.

11. Final Notes
business
•Gap exists between polymer science
and processing & performance.
•Advances in molecular rheology can science technology
integrate business needs with scientific
expertise and technology.
•A strategic project has to be established
for a thriving relationship between
university and industry to drive
innovations.
•For project ideas to succeed both
technically and economically, we have to
work with other businesses in the
product life cycle.