Enabling tools & technologies

Innovating in the polymer industry requires precision, speed, and a deep understanding of material behaviour. The Enabling tools & technologies programme tackles this challenge by developing and integrating advanced modelling, high-throughput experimentation, and artificial intelligence. This programme provides essential insights into polymer behaviour like rheology, aging, fatigue, and creep, empowering industrial partners to drive the next generation of polymer materials and applications.

The Enabling tools & technologies programme enables breakthrough innovation through:

Modelling & simulation: understanding and predicting polymer behaviour in diverse conditions.
High-throughput experimentation: rapid screening of material properties for efficient development.
Artificial intelligence & machine learning: enhancing material design speed and predictive analytics.
Explorative chemistry & materials research: novel polymer materials pushing the boundaries of polymer science.
Polyolefin catalysis & reactor engineering: optimising the polyolefin production processes
New analytical tools: unlocking deeper insights into polymer properties and applications.

Through these capabilities, the programme strengthens industrial partners’ research strategies, reducing development timelines and increasing innovation success rates.

Key research areas and active projects

Advanced catalysis & polymer chemistry

ZN-TCLB: developing next-generation Ziegler-Natta catalysts with temperature-controlled composition tuning, increasing precision in polymer production.
C1_QSPR: using quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR) and modelling to design more efficient C1-symmetric catalysts for olefin copolymerisation.

Reactor engineering & process optimisation

CASAFA: AI-driven anti-fouling agent selection to optimise reactor efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
SLUGGER: a systematic experimental & modelling approach comparing slurry and gas-phase polymerisation reactors, leading to more efficient processes.

Polymer ageing & mechanical performance

PEARL: molecular simulations to predict chemical & physical ageing of amorphous polymers, crucial for material lifetime predictions.
MORPHORMANCE: understanding load-induced morphological changes in PEEK and their effects on creep and fatigue behaviour, supporting high-performance applications.

Next-generation analytical tools & AI-driven materials research

TPPO: analysing topological polymer structures to enhance mechanical performance and rheological properties.
TRAIL: machine learning and predictive analytics to monitor and extend the lifetime of thermoplastic composites, a novel, smart materials diagnostics.
HYPERFAST 2: advancing Hyperpolarized and ¹H Fast MAS NMR Spectroscopy to deliver ultrafast, high-resolution molecular insights into performance polymers.

Boost your R&D with DPI

By joining the DPI community, you gain access to pioneering tools that accelerate material development: AI, modelling, high-throughput experimentation, and cutting-edge analytical methods.

Curious about how this could enhance your R&D? Let’s discuss opportunities!