Materials characterization specialist Malvern Instruments has joined two key European initiatives that aim to promote excellence in cross-disciplinary research and technique development in soft matter composites and complex fluids. These are: the SoftComp Consortium; and, the newly funded EU FP7 project, European SoftMatter Infrastructure (ESMI).

SoftComp promotes networking and joint project development among the best European research groups from traditionally separate fields. Initially financed by the European Commission as a Network of Excellence (NoE) under EU FP6, SoftComp is currently self-sustaining and will continue to grow, carrying out leading edge technology projects in the intelligent design of functional and nanoscale soft matter composites. These colloids, polymers, liquid crystals, membranes, surfactants, micellar solutions, amphiphilics and biological systems are of crucial importance to the biopharmaceutical, food and chemical industries and other industries utilizing nanoscale technologies.

In addition to enhancing further cooperation and collaboration amongst European scientists, the ESMI project will promote the development of leading edge techniques through collaborative projects between key academic groups and leading European material characterization companies.

"As part of SoftComp we are working with a powerful consortium of academic and industry partners from the UK and across Europe, including K.U. Leuven, FORTH, Unilever, and Schlumberger among others," said Dr Samiul Amin, Malvern's Strategic Technology Group Manager. "Soft matter research drives innovation in so many fields, as the SoftComp projects amply illustrate. From fuel-saving tyres and super-efficient detergents, through new insights into the behaviour of blood and skin, to better drilling muds, the group's research is exciting, ground-breaking and socially valuable."

"Through ESMI, we will be working in developing new commercially viable characterization tools and techniques geared to addressing challenging application needs," said Dr Amin.

As a leader in measuring performance controlling material properties, Malvern is committed to applying its expertise in support of cutting edge technological development. The company and its representatives are active in a wide range of professional and industry organizations, and collaborative projects.  www.malvern.com