Materials Science and Technology of Polymers at the University of Twente

The MTP Group of University Twente

The group Materials Science and Technology of Polymers (MTP), chaired by Professor G. Julius Vancso, studies a range of topics, which revolve around macromolecular nanotechnology and materials chemistry of nanostructured (macro)molecular materials.
MTP’s mission is to establish approaches, devise and construct tools, and build materials platforms that enable studies of macromolecular structure, behavior and function from the nanometer length scale, bottom up, in a direct one-to-one control of the molecular objects.
This knowledge is utilized to obtain advanced functional macromolecular materials and devices with enhanced or novel properties and functions for targeted applications.

Searching for MSc talent

Are you interested in polymers and polymer technology?
Do you find macromolecular nanotechnology interesting?
If yes, consider MTP to perform your diploma research!
Some of our topics:

Optical microscopy at the nanoscale
Porous Polymer Nano-Composites
Smart polymer brushes in biosensing

For the complete list of topics click here >>

Conference announcement: Soft Control

Switching Surface Properties with Stimuli Responsive Soft Matter

22-24 September 2013, Darmstadt

For more information, see the conference flyer 

Chairmen: M. Biesalski, U. Jonas, W. Knoll, G. J. Vancso

'Hot article' for Journal of Materials Chemistry

The article of MTP Group members titled ‘Electrochemical sensing by surface-immobilized poly(ferrocenylsilane) grafts’ has been identified as a ‘hot article’ for Journal of Materials Chemistry.  The article has been highlighted on the blog (http://blogs.rsc.org/jm), and may also be used in future promotional material or press releases for Journal of Materials Chemistry.

Prof. G. Julius Vancso in Science

Prof. G. Julius Vancso was interviewed by Science in an article showing how satellite labs extend science*. The article describes a new type of lab that links Western scientists who want to expand with emerging nations. The magazine portraits Vancso as a top researcher, elaborating on his contribution to the lab of the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences in Singapore.

*Source: Science, www.sciencemag.org

Cum Laude for Xiaofeng Sui

On June 29, 2012 Mr. Xiaofeng Sui has defended his Ph.D. Thesis with a "cum laude" distinction, entitled ""Chameleon" Macromolecules: Synthesis, Structures and Applications of Stimulus Responsive Polymers". This work was supported by a TOP Program of the Netherlands Foundation for Chemical Research.

This Thesis describes the preparation and characterization of addressable responsive polymer structures and their versatile applications. Stimuli responsive polymer chains including temperature responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, pH responsive poly(methacrylic acid), PMAA and redox responsive poly(ferrocenylsilane) PFS can be assembled into various functional polymer architectures such as polymer grafts on surfaces by “grafting to” and “grafting from” approaches and polymer networks in bulk including macroscopic hydrogels and microgels/nanogels systems. Read more >>

New AMM Project "Hands-on" Laboratory Course

This Lab course aims to broaden the knowledge of students in the areas of polymer synthesis, polymer characterization, and processing. The course illustrates structure-property relations in polymeric materials, i.e. how polymer chain characteristics and composition influence macroscopic properties. 1. Thin polymer films as separation media. 2. Polymer characterization in solution 3. Designer surfaces by polymer grafting. 4. Smart materials. 5. Micro / nanofabrication with polymers.                               Read more ...