ia special netherlands office for science and technology materials.pdf · smart materials and...

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Smart materials in the Netherlands


Smart materials in the Netherlands: from fundamental research to innovative social applications

SummarySmart materials are materials with specific properties, inducing them to react to external stimuli. These external stimuli are e.g. light, acidity, temperature, magnetic fields, and mechanical loads. The reaction can yield various results, such as changes in viscosity, colour, shape, and composition. In the Netherlands, smart materials are used for various applications. New materials can be created on the basis of smart materials. In addition, applications can be found in medical technology (vaccines, regenerative medicine, medical aids, nano-medicines, and innovative forms of administering medicines), energy research (batteries with improved storage capacity, for instance), construction and housing, the motor vehicle industry, aerospace, and the development of new kinds of textile (from biochemical innovations to new kinds of fibre). These areas of application are also subject to active research concerning smart materials.In the Netherlands, research in the field of smart materials is divided into constructive materials research and functional materials research. In addition, there is a classification according to the type of material: metals, polymers, and composites. The Netherlands is exceptionally active in a number of segments, in which world-class research is conducted, such as self-healing materials and bio-mimetic materials (materials that resemble natural materials).

IntroductionSmart materials did already exist in the era of the Roman Empire. This is evidenced by aqueducts, buildings, and other remains from that era: The concrete structures were built in such a manner that, when cracks formed, they would automatically be repaired by the combination of rainwater and the lime in the structure. This is an example of an antique precursor to self-healing materials (SHM). Materials research in the Netherlands was accelerated three decades ago. Research and

applications of smart materials in the Netherlands reside in product innovation as well as in process and services innovation. The key focus in that respect is on self-healing materials, thermoplastics (plastic that softens when heated considerably), nanotechnology, and smart polymers. In the last years, social themes have become increasingly important for materials innovation. Increased energy-efficiency, preservation of the environment, sustainability, safety, and materials scarcity are important motives behind fundamental research into smart materials. The Netherlands is a strong international partner in the field of smart materials research and an active partner in European projects. This effort is lead by the three Dutch universities of technology and Philips.

Research at the Dutch universitiesThe Dutch universities and knowledge institutions are active in the field of smart materials. Especially the universities of technology are at the forefront of performing research and providing education in this field.

Smart materials and energy researchAt the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), there is a research group, called “Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage” (Materialen voor Energieconversie en Opslag). This group focuses on smart materials from the perspective of chemistry and with energy as the area of application. Prof. Schoonman was involved in smart materials and their application in the field of energy before it became popular. Their research is focused on renewable energy sources, namely for small-scale and decentralised applications. Related research is taking place under the leadership of Prof. Siebbeles. This research is namely focused on the nature and dynamics of energy storage and the status of molecular

2 | IA Special, november 2012

Smart materials in the netherlands | from fundamental research to innovative social applicationsSmart materials in the NetherlandsSmart materials in the Netherlands

materials with potential applications in e.g. LEDs, solar cells or nano-scale molecular electronics. In this research, various kinds of materials are being studied, such as (combinations of ) conjugated polymers, discotic organic materials, inorganic nano-particles, and DNA. Charge carriers and excitons (an exciton is a bound electron-hole pair in a semi-conductor) are produced in these materials through irradiation with high-energy electrons or laser pulses. The research of Prof. Dam is focused on identifying relationships between growth, structure, and physical material properties. The research focuses on the development of materials for sustainable applications in the field of energy, such as hydrogen sensors, hydrogen storage materials, hydrogen membranes, smart windows, and photo-anodes for splitting water with solar cells.

Smart materials and nanotechnologyThe Kavli Institute in the Netherlands is a leader in the field of nanotechnology. Led by Director Prof. Cees Dekker, the Kavli Institute performs research in the fields of bionanoscience and quantum nanoscience. The objective of the institute is to be a stimulating environment for the exchange of ideas and research proposals, with a broad scope of nanosciences and nanotechnology. The emphasis is on concept development and fundamental breakthroughs, ranging from single-molecule biophysics to quantum information processing of nano-scale devices. The institute has the newest, state-of-the-art facilities, notably for nanofabrication.

Rare earth elements and their replacementsThe field of “Rare Earth and Replacements” is on the rise in the Netherlands. It is focused on the question of how to anticipate the coming materials scarcity and ways to find substitute materials for them, or on research that is focused on efficient recycling of existing objects and materials. TNO, Sabic, the Materials Scarcity Platform (Platform Materiaalschaarste), and the Sustainable Resource Management Knowledge

Platform (Kennisplatform Duurzaam Grondstoffenbeheer) are active players in that field in the Netherlands.

Research at Dutch companiesA number of large and small Dutch companies and knowledge institutes are active in the field of smart materials, especially in the subjects of smart textiles, self-healing materials, and medical technology. The following three companies are prime examples.

Smart textilesTenCate Advanced Composites develops and produces thermoplastic and thermoset composite materials, substances, and systems for the aerospace industry. Thermoplastics are increasingly being used in the aircraft industry. Thermoset is primarily used in the space industry and the military aviation sector. For the space industry, it concerns e.g. satellites, reconnaissance vehicles, and telescopes. TenCate is the leading supplier of prepreg composite fibres to the North-American satellite industry. In Europe, TenCate is also an important supplier to this industry. The space industry imposes stringent requirements on materials properties. Space and satellite programmes are extremely costly. Compromises in the selection of materials are excluded.

Composites of TenCate for these satellite applications are dimensionally stable from -121 °C to +121 °C, resistant to atomic oxygen, have a low outgassing, high rigidity, are exceptionally lightweight and moisture-resistant, and can be subjected to considerable stresses. Manufacturers of radomes (radar enclosures) require composites that are non-conductive (low dielectric constants). TenCate Advanced Composites has carbon fibre-free facilities in the Netherlands and the USA where these materials can be processed as purely as possible.

Dyneema DSM is working on Smart Textiles. The company would like to strengthen and/or expand its network of international R&D relationships. In doing so, Dyneema DSM is namely looking for textile institutes focused on ultra-strong fibres, marine and offshore institutes, companies in performance clothing (sports, leisure, work), ultra-strong fibre knowledge institutes, hybrid carbon composite institutes, radomes, military institutes for armour and composites, and aerospace. Concerning information regarding international strategic research choices in smart materials, potential markets, players and/or technology developments, Dyneema DSM is focusing on armour materials, heavy ropes (offshore, cranes,

Copyright Ten Cate BV, 2012.



steel wire replacement, chains), and new strong fibres, carbon fibres, and hybrid super fibres.

Self-healing materialsSupraPolix BV is an SME and is namely active in the field of self-healing materials for coatings, cosmetics, biomedical materials, adhesives, and parts. Temperature or damage constitutes a trigger for self-repair. It is an intrinsic property of the material, in which no additional chemicals or other substances are involved. It is a successful process. SupraPolix would like extend an invitation to potential new international partners for the further development of self-healing concepts and for exploring new areas of application.

Dutch policy on innovationThe roadmaps for the Top Sectors were written in 2011. Smart materials appear as a topic within the Top Sector of High Tech Systems & Materials (HTSM) and the Top Sector of Chemicals. In addition, applications of smart materials can be found in the Top Sectors of Life Sciences & Health (such as the development of vaccines) and Food (smart packaging methods, for instance).In the Top Sector of High Tech Systems & Materials, the focus in the Netherlands is on the design, development, and manufacture of high-tech equipment and

micro/nano-components. Smart materials share a number of distinctive properties which the systems must meet: they are intelligent (embedded systems, software, sensors), precise (nanoelectronics, high precision manufacturing), and efficient (mechatronics). Knowledge in the field of materials and photonics/optics plays an increasingly important role in that respect. ICT is an integral part of the developments in this field. The Top Sector of High Tech is thereby an important “enabler” for many other sectors of application, such as energy, chemicals, life sciences, and food.In the Top Sector of HTSM, the emphasis for smart materials is on the development of safe and affordable eco-innovative materials, e.g. to create a healthy indoor climate. Since there are already numerous active academic partners, the programme is looking for industrial partners. Projects will be performed with the participation of multiple partners, preferably partners that are involved in a value chain and that have like-minded research interests.

The Top Sector of Chemicals has an independent Smart Polymeric Materials Knowledge & Innovation Top Consortium (Topconsortium Kennis & Innovatie Smart Polymeric Materials, TKI SPM). Its ambition is defined as follows: ‘In 2050, the Netherlands is a top 3 global producer of smart materials. Companies in the Netherlands produce creative and

innovative products with high added value: materials for energy storage and catalysts from widely available and accessible sources instead of rare metals. Plastics are lightweight, self-healing, self-cleaning and can be fully recycled. Furthermore, for the production of these and other organic materials mainly biomass-based raw materials will be used’.The TKI SPM will namely perform pre-competitive research. It consists of a network of companies and knowledge institutes. The TKI SPM is strongly embedded in the European region of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, where many start-ups and SMEs are participating. TKI SPM wishes to find new international cooperation partners, more specifically companies, knowledge institutes, and authorities from Brazil and China.

Companies and knowledge institutes would like to obtain even more attention from the government in the future for improved coordination of the entire chain of designers, developers, and manufacturers.

European research programmes for materials research

Within the KP7 European Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, smart materials largely fall under the theme of “Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies” (NMP). The research targets products with high added value and the related processes and technologies, in which the focus is on the creation of customer-oriented applications. Projects with multi-sectoral applications are preferred. Furthermore, extensive attention is also devoted to the integration of nanotechnology in materials sciences, design methods, and new production methods in all sectors of the industry. Up to and including 2010, 1.8 billion euros in financing have been given to 461 projects within the theme of NMP. The Netherlands participated in 156 projects, in the amount of 89 million euros. With that amount, the Netherlands is in seventh place. Germany received the largest share (379 million euros), followed by Italy, the UK, Spain, France, and Switzerland.

Bron: Kavli Institute, Delft



Open innovation for miniature low-power sensor systems

Holst Centre is an open-innovation research centre with two programme lines, Wireless Autonomous Transducer Solutions (WATS) and Systems in Foil (SiF), in which the worlds of high-per

formance silicon and flexible electronics meet. It offers an ecosystem for industry and academia in which they can collaborate on shared research challen-ges based on pre-defined roadmaps.Low-power wireless sensor systems can monitor the physical and chemical conditions and, if necessary, initiate a tailored response as a reaction to external stimuli. They are indispensable

to a broad range of commercial and industrial applications, which would be difficult to realise or be considerably more expensive if wired systems were to be used. Their unique properties are a small form factor, limited energy consumption (<100W), and if prefer-red, implementation in a dynamic wireless topology.

Knowledge institute (Prof. Dr. Sywert Brongersma, TNO / Holst Centre / IMEC)

Holst wireless sensor application

With thanks toMr. Sywert Brongersma (Holst Center), Joop Schoonman (TU Delft), Bernard Dam (TU Delft), Laurens Siebbeles (TU Delft), Boris Duijneveld (MUD projects), Peter van den Berg (NL Agency), Gert Bos (NL Agency), and Jaap de Carpentier Wolf (Ten Cate).

Information and sources• www.agentschapnl.nl

• www.m2i.nl (Top Institute M2I)

• www.polymers.nl (Top Institute DPI)

• www.top-sectoren.nl/chemie

• www.top-sectoren.nl/hightech

• www.top-sectoren.nl/lifesciences

• www.top-sectoren.nl/agrofood

• www.agentschapnl.nl/sites/default/files/bijlagen/

Nederland_in_KP7_2011_0.pdf

• www.tencate.nl

• www.holstcentre.com

• www.mud-projects.com

• kavli.tudelft.nl

More informationConchita Callant / Peter van den Berg

(NL Innovation) www.nlinovatie.nl

Or contact your local NOST office at the Embassy.

The Netherlands



Smart materials and waste materials

A combination of smart materials and the smart reuse of waste materials is arising within materials research. The principle behind architecture with waste is for the design to make use of materials that are already available. You

play with the shape, materials proper-ties, and colours, and as a result achieve new insights, forms, and applications. By smartly processing them, the “second-hand” materials can be repurposed. It is an approach in which smart materials inspire new reuse of existing objects. The focus of all this is on sustainability. Boris Duijneveld of

the SME MUD projects is an Urban City Designer and focuses on new objects with reused materials. As an urban city designer, his challenge is to alter the material and object to such an extent, that its second application no longer has any connection to the context for which the object was in principle initially created.

Feed silo recycled as bar

Feed silo recycled as cabinet

Feed silo recycled as housing unit

MUD projects (SME) regarding materials recycling

Feed silo recycled as hideout



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