SIM user-forum 21 October 2013

Cross-over debate:

Opportunities for the Flemish Materials community

About the future of materials in Flanders

Around the 6 Grand Societal Challenges of Horizon 2020

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Introduction

On the SIM user-forum of October 2013, a workshop was organized on the six

societal challenges as defined in the Horizon 2020 program. The objective of

workshop was to gather feedback from all stakeholders that participated in the

User Forum debate : students, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. That

feedback will be used to evaluate and reflect on the current SIM strategy. The

intention is to become better prepared for the challenges of the future, through

‘smart’ innovation in Flanders. SIM wants to continuously improve its processes

and become more and more effective in facilitating materials research and

innovation.

Methodology

The six societal challenges as defined by the EU Horizon 2020 program were

employed as guide for the ideation. Each person went through several of the six

challenges. Each challenge/session was initiated with a slide that summarizes the

scope of the challenge. That slide is included in this document.

The ideation session was sequenced by three converging questions, from ‘generic

and global to specific and local’ .This converging sequence is maintained in this

document :

1) Which innovation with materials can play a role in this societal challenge? 2) How can the Flemish materials community turn this societal challenge into

an opportunity and a sustainable business? 3) What does that mean for the SIM strategic agenda?

The ‘product’ of the workshop was an abundance of ideas, written as short

statements. These 3x6 packages are kept together and processed into this report.

For each of the 18 packages, small sets are formed based on the technological

domain, then summarized in the body text of this report, and linked to footnotes

that presents the original, ’raw’ idea statement.

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The reader of this document, which might be the author of several ideas in the

footnotes, is invited to trace back his own ideas and to follow the processing to

the conclusions in this document. This represent what stakeholders expect what

the SIM strategic agenda should be.

With these conclusions, SIM will examine its current mission and vision. This

examination might lead to a set of advises for the SIM board.

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The increasing percentage elderly people in Europe leads to specific health-related

needs. A secondary effect is the ratio young dynamic versus older experienced

active people that will be out of balance. In other global regions like Asia the

balance will be right the opposite.

1) Through innovation the shortage of nursing people and medical assistance might be compensated by better IT assisted or ‘smart’ medicine. New materials will be needed for devices, robotics and interfaces replacing the medical personnel and making it possible for people to recover at home1. New developments in the pharmaceutical domain might be personalized smart systems that require less medical personnel for supplying, dosing,

1 /smart textiles – electronics/ 2nd multifunctional skin/ smart textile e.g. Ph -change …/ textile transforming heat loss or movement into electrical power for monitoring devices/

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delivery and monitoring2. Materials for in-vivo orthosis3 or tools that increase quality of life and independence4 can become important.

2) The Flemish Materials community can turn this social challenge into opportunities employing their strength in textiles5 and through the state-of-the-art presence in additive manufacturing6 technology companies.

3) Recommendations for the SIM strategic agenda are: a. Internationalize, not only to Europe but also globally. The

demographic characteristics are such that Flanders (West Europe) will have abundance of technological experience but a lack of young ‘working power’. The strength of Europe will be complementary to the energetic young workforce outside Western Europe and the US. Technological experience accelerates innovation but valorization requires sufficient workforce7.

b. Bringing together different programs because new products will be assemblies of different technologies8.

2 /personalized medicine/ active systems neural stimulation from sub-micron particles/ ex-situ in-situ self-assembly / target manufacturing bio medical devices/ slow release agents/ 3 /biocompatible self-healing materials for human implant devices (prosthesis) IIII/ biocompatible

electronics - follow disease from inside the body/

4 /personalized transport : for older people automated for younger people flexible/ better matrasses that

prevent bed-sores/

5 /conductive fibers/ flexible electronics/ recyclable textiles/ use of bio-aggregates imbedded in textile/

thin flexible batteries/

6 /3D printing/ higher quality and fit of prostheses/ 3D printed bone and other prostheses/ Exo- skeleton

to increase strength/

7 /global-Flanders dimension/ European export of experience (challenge is the unbalance 'experience in

Europe' and 'workforce in developing countries')/ education to a 'tech' society /

8 /multi-functional coatings : self-healing and anti-bacterial and easy cleaning for use in care and medical

centers II/ extend Flanders capability in nano-particle production to self-assembly composites/ develop

next product systems for advanced textile : 3D printers/ extend research to flexible electronics from

power supply to active devices

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The increasing demand for food and water due to the growing population

might/will compete with the increasing demand for bio-materials and bio-energy.

Materials will start to compete with food!

1) These challenge can be addressed by developing innovative value-added-materials in the domain of water-technology9, agro-technology10 ,

9 /for example pump units that are maintenance free/ produce plastic pipe lines that redeliver and redistribute recycled water/ bio membranes for water purification/ advanced water storages e.g. Africa/ nanofibres + nano silver - water filters/ use water only for 'drinking' for the industry use alternatives/ 10 /controlled release of fertilizers (porous structures) controlled irrigation (water retention)/ package as carrier for seeds, material is nutrient for plants/ in house food growing/ Technical textile to avoid evaporation of water stored with great surfaces; Eventually incorporation of 'cooling' agents to keep T down and avoid algae contamination/ greener' pesticides and better (ecological system)/

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food production11, food transport and storage12 and energy recovery from food-waste or bio-mass13 .

2) The Flemish Materials community can play a role in these domains. Flanders has knowledge that can be aligned with these challenges14. There are also important stakeholders that can participate in further improving agricultural methodologies and machinery15. Also the film extrusion and packaging industry is present in Flanders and can contribute16.

11 /nanotechnology for low salt high taste and low vat via micelles/ printed food/ transfer food into powder for distribution- add water right before consumption/ renewable resources NOT from food/ 12 /anti-bacterial pipeline coatings for water transport/ material that can store food in a more efficient way - less waste - redesign of water filter to more effective and cheaper/ food packaging (multilayer, nanocap : biodegradable or not)/ food tracking in/with genes/ sensors to keep track on freshness/ antibacterial coatings/ cleaning additives/ more intelligent packaging for food and precursor less waste oxygen barrier N2 atmosphere - sensors for lifetime/ anti germ packaging/ anti-microbial coatings for high volume applications/ reduced food waste - food engineering - package engineering/ packaging that can prolong expire date/ develop materials that increase the lifetime of food products under non-conserving environment/ 13 (food waste is energy source/ better waste management/ give food (waste) proper place in energy cycle/ electricity and chemicals from waste water/ bio-based bio degradable plastics) 14 Advanced characterization and modeling of porous materials and transport in porous materials/ water filtering research institutes/ recycling institute/ agriculture based on environment friendly chemistry – research 15 smart geo-textile for water management, substrates and seeds/ cheaper compact robust machines 16 multi-functional materials for packaging films/ biodegradable packaging (polyhydroxybutyrate)/ emphasize bio plastic research

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3) For the SIM strategy following suggestions were formulated : a) Start a new theme on water and separation17

b) Consider food as a ‘material’18 c) Be more open to internationalization, also outside Europe 19

d) With the suggested broadenings of 1, 2 and 3, still prioritization and focus20.

17 also processing know-how should not be ignored/ water filters and anti-microbial coatings/ clean water recycling of water novel filters and membrane technology/ invest in projects around filtration and porous media/ design filters 18 new project - food storage and transport - water purification/ SIM program on water and food security/ concentrate on food and water/ corporate : team up with Flanders food/ corporate : team up with FI-SCH on these themes / SIM goes visit the fields and canals/ financial support for food and water institute/ financing project-proposals that are linked with the specific challenges/ look for research project in this direction and financing for these with participation of university, industry and the agricultural sector/ 19 /cooperation with chemical industry , education of students from developing countries/ start north - south scientific education and collaboration/ 20 /low tech versus high tech/ find partners willing to start or continue the development asap/ strengthen the educational efforts ; more focused approach with roadmap and milestones / focusing investments on one challenge and become leaders in sustainable innovation for a specific topic/

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The growing dependence on petroleum based energy is a severe societal threat

for Europe. The development of sustainable technologies generating energy will

require new materials.

1) An important innovation platform is energy harvesting from sun light21. Because the natural fluctuation and the wide spread of energy captivation, transport and storage of energy becomes very important22. Other

21 /low cost encapsulation of materials for PV/ functionalization of 'passive ' elements, e.g. glass window and encapsulates in PV modules/ new materials for absorbers in solar modules/ increase efficiency of thin film PV materials/ high band gap TFPV / high energy density, light or cathode materials/ 22 /materials for energy storage broader than just batteries think of marine, rail etc/ Mg-gased batteries/ superconductors for daily use (grids to home)/ supercapacitors / biomemetic approach to storage and distribute - W and E/ local production : small and flexible/ smart network - smart grids/ hydrogen production, storage and fuel cells/ energy buffering concepts (e.g. hydrogen)/

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sustainable energy sources are organic material23 and chemicals 24 Also energy from new nuclear, mechanical or thermal sources25 need consideration. Besides energy production also on the efficient use of energy improvements can be realized. The industrial processes and transport of products can become more efficient26 and thermal isolation for buildings can be improved 27 .

2) The Flemish Materials community can play an important role in energy production, transport, storage and efficient use. Flanders has a strong industrial history in fine chemicals and special elements28 crucial for the energy technology. Flanders is well represented in the building and construction sector with building materials such as glass, ceramics and concrete that can be further developed for increased thermal insulation29.

23 /electricity and chemicals from waste water/ combine living organisms and energy/ body mechanical to energy conversion/ energy from biomass/ food waste is energy source/ 24 /nano catalyst improved fuel burning low-to-no Nox emissions/ fuel cells and wave energy / materials for energy storage - Li-ion batteries - catalyst for photo-electro chemical fuel production / photosynthesis to H2 and fuel/ 25 /new energy generation materials such as PV but also piezo based harvesters/ geothermy / thermo electric efficient materials / cold fusion/ nuclear fusion/ 26 /high strength structural steel/ lightweight materials design for eco-friendly transport , machinery/ energy efficient processes for synthesis of materials, processing parts and manufacturing/ energy efficient processing - cement and table ware / 27 /thermal isolating curtains made by foams/ reduce energy use using more efficient lighting and 'smart' lighting/ improved construction materials providing energy plus types of buildings/ increase the quality and capability of isolation systems to reduce heating and expenses/ 28 /fluorescing down convertors for solar cells/ high efficient solar cell technologies/ use of non-critical elements in solar modules, batteries…/ recycling of rare materials/ R&D on batteries/ R&D on high value added materials needed for energy storage/ 29 /protective coatings for windmills/ improved corrosion protection and fatigue performance for off shore/ fatigue and corrosion resistant materials/ low cost electro chromic glazing/ passive climate control in buildings - use of smart glass/ functionalized glass for tandem solar cells/ thermal protection and insulation/ insulation materials for building ecofriendly/ high temperature materials for use in fusion reactors/

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Important stackholders in the transport sector, who use and need lighter and stronger materials (trains, busses, trucks, cars, off-road) are also located in Flanders 30 .

3) For the SIM strategy following suggestions were given: a) Expand the horizon internationally31 b) More risk management 32 c) More attention towards energy storage (besides production) 33 d) More attention on energy-efficiency process of materials 34

30 /virtual prototyping software and services for energy efficient design/ light weight steel composite compounds/ fuel efficient transport modes/ electric and hybrid vehicles R&D/ research in advanced materials - solid electrolytes - carbon based materials (fibers composites) - light materials/ 31 /research should be linked to international activities (collaboration)/ reduce gap with China in battery materials R&D/ foster growth in companies globally active on energy efficient design , transport, machinery, building etc/ to keep a close look on other growing initiatives in Flanders on this challenge as well as beyond the borders/ integrate SIM in a European context / 32 /long term PV programs/ take risks on feasibility studies/ combination of long-term strategy and high risk strategy/ 33 /SIM program on hydrogen production and storage and fuel cells/ SIM program on battery materials/ renewable materials for energy production and storage/ three programs : - reliability improvements + increased energy production and reduced consumption + materials to store energy/ start a program towards renewable energy e.g. wind, PV in close connection to energy storage/ tackle energy storage as much as energy harvesting/ fund research for new materials for energy storage/ 34 /attention for lightweight materials R&D in transport for energy efficiency/ Thermal insulation (reduce energy loss)/ manage energy loss/ include full production cycle in energy balance (all programs/ incentives for efficiency increase and energy use reduction for 'industry ' (not homes)/ concentrate on process + material innovations/ horizontal program on energy efficient synthesis and processing all included /

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1) For this 4th challenge on transport, material innovations can play an important role in reducing weight35 and improving design36.

35 /multilayer materials combined the best properties/ lightweight materials, recyclable and

sustainable thermoplastic materials/ foamed materials/ light, strong and ductile materials from

fast and green production processes / very efficient 3D printed components (heat exchange

motors = lightweight)/ steel with high stiffness and strength/ integrated multiple functionality =

light weight/ composites processing cost comparable to steel-based solutions/ light and strong

materials with low environmental impact during production (low energy carbon fibers, high

strength natural fibers, biopolymers)/ low energy carbon fiber or stronger natural fiber/

36 /architecture design and materials/ low energy production through automation and

processing/ exchange of vehicle parts (LEGO concept)/ new designs (no matter if they are

complex) and changing to commonly used materials in combination with advanced materials/

predictive multi-physics simulation tools/ low loss materials for transformers (e.g. amorphous

metal)/

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New materials for propulsion37, Integrated Intelligence38 or new ways of

transporting goods39 are other approaches.

2) The Flemish Materials community can play a role as light weight material supplier40 or cooperate with the strong Flemish transport sector for bus, train, car, trucks and bikes41, or the IT sector42. Also the Flemish dense network for gas and hydrogen43 distribution can be part of the solution.

37 /methanol economy/ low agricultural impact bio fuel, e.g. algae/ hydrogen storage

materials/ high temperature super-conduction/

38 /self-controlling materials, overriding individual decisions/ smart computer controlled driving

and traffic/ i-nano/

39 /zeppelin' transfer : light materials and self-healing and PV coated (OE)/ bulk 2 bulk 'zeppelin'

no transit traffic/ freight with underground tube system/ energy grid – decentralize/

40 /by the availability of low weight materials and products/ light weight steel = steel plus

polymer platform/ concentrate on innovations in material processing/ Development of interfaces

for material recycling and reuse (valorub)/ recyclable and energy efficient tires /

41 /concentration on Belgian bus industry/ entrepreneurs to start composite companies in

Flanders/ lightweight design of vehicles and busses/ cross-industry research with bio-industry,

mechanical engineering and plastics/materials engineering/ bikes /

42 /materials with built-in programmable sensors/ software modeling /

43 /fuel and energy storage/ hydrogen fuel cells (metallic)/

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3) For the SIM strategy following suggestions were given : a) More attention for lightweight materials44 b) Integration of IT or smart concepts 45 c) Promote projects with higher risk 46 d) ‘Integration’ in the broad view : geographic, disciplinary,…47

44 /increased processability and lower energy cost for composites/ promote light weight

solutions/ expand the nanoforce program to a structural composites program / Broaden

discussion platform with textiles and manufacturing/ bicycle bridges in lightweight/ select a

number of focus points in this field (composites or fuel cells or…)/

45 /smart traffic and dynamic signpost/ greater focus on modeling/ global software and services

for energy efficient transport design/ self-repairing roads with telecommunication and with

energy capability/

46 /narrow applied - fundamental (one step forward)/ also short term initiatives (multi-

disciplinary) market oriented/ Icon's without secure valorization after 4 years/ more realistic

timing in valorization expectation/ programs with higher risk/

47 /EU and international cooperation (larger picture) choose / multifunctional applications:

aerodynamics, structural, communication and energy storage/ integration of community related

aspects next to scientific ones/ international collaboration/ lobby for EU projects/

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1) This 5th challenge can also be approached through material innovation, e.g. materials for sensors48 and data processing49 . Materials for protection can be categorized in ‘intimate’ protection50 on the skin or in the body, ‘static’ protection against blasts and fires51 and protection through ‘stay-away’ from the calamity 52 e.g. through use of robots.

48 /transparent electronics for security applications/ paper electronics/ early warning maintenance systems/ sensing materials/ materials with embedded identification/ recognition technologies/ fast detection of anything (chemicals, biohazard, heat)/ 49 /communication sensors and detectors/ fast wireless connections/ integrated intelligence/ 50 /smart body assistant/ smart textiles/ biocompatible materials/ 51 /fire protection/ impact resistant building and construction materials/ blast impact on laminated glass/ energy absorbing structural elements under blast loading/ 52 /rescue equipment (lightweight, easy to mount)/ robotics /

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2) The Flemish Materials community can play an important role in addressing this challenge through cross-sectorial efforts. Flanders has a strong IT base that combined with the important transportation sector has the potential to develop new applications53. The integration of this IT sector in others like building & construction and the paper industry offers interesting approaches and potential solutions to the challenge54. Fire-control technologies and IR-materials are also seen as a strength for Flanders 55

3) For the SIM strategic agenda, the recommendation is to consider balancing activities56 on three levels:

a) Going beyond geographic borders AND keeping focus around core competencies

b) Long-term AND short-term research

c) Broadening programs through inclusion of the security theme AND focusing on typical material aspects

53 /process materials (filters) adapt according changing parameters and products/ early warning and corrective action e.g. road becomes red when blocked/ cross sectorial collaboration/ 54 /embedded sensors in textile (smart textile)/ smart paper packaging: use of paper for more complex applications/ smart building materials with damage detection and evaluation/ 55 /connection systems high temperature resistant (glues)/ materials that intrinsic fire extinguishing/ 56 /focus on local competencies/ promote the materials industry of the future/ SIM should

finance new ideas from universities rather than visiting short term needs of companies (thinking

ahead) / look outside of Flanders , Flanders is too small/ continue with R&D on new composites

but focusing on impact resistance/ create platform focusing on security systems (material and

application)/

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1) This 6th challenge can be addressed with innovations like additive manufacturing, making highly efficient structures, mimic nature’s optimization algorithm57. Develop less energy consuming transport means58 . For the construction market light-weight, low-CO2 and durable materials can be developed59 ; better energy management for buildings60 ;

57 /different structures in materials - less material needed/ additive manufacturing: just build what is needed and

increase life time and aim at better properties/ optimize design to reduce material use/ materials that mimic

nature/ combination of more functions in 1 material /

58 /super-magnets for public transport/ use of hybrid materials (composites)/ produce materials with low weight to

replace others in end uses (automotive)/

59 /light-weight materials for construction/ low CO2 concrete/ self-healing metals/ completely recyclable concrete/

light materials with low energy content (or low environmental impact during production)/ self-healing concrete/

cosmetic retrofit materials for building insulation/ new repairing strategies resulting in longer lifetime of materials/

60 /carbon capture and storage (PEM) fuel cells/ use the energy from materials that had already a life-cycle instead

of using fossil fuels/ waste heat recycling/ better insulation /

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new approaches to recycling61, including the extraction of critical raw materials62.

2) The Flemish Materials community is well represented in building and construction and can take the lead in innovations in this domain63. The extensive hydrogen supply net can play a role in a new way of transportation64. Flanders is a key player for recycling65 and urban mining66.

61 /use of waste streams (not used so far) in innovative materials (e.g. cement)/ recyclable

infinite times/ adapt production processes for easier recycling of materials/ reusable

multicomponent materials/ new additives for recycling, processing for recycling, new composites

and light weight structures/ fully and easily recyclable materials/ recycling of thermosets/ fully

recyclable composites/

62 /self-sustaining production process replacement of critical elements e.g. catalysts/ more

efficient use of materials through optimized activity (better insight in characteristics)/ need for

smart materials systems to replace critical raw materials/ exploration break through needed (U

ground U see)/ economical landfill mining /

63 /construction material that reduces emission/ bio-based cement production/ innovation in

energy efficient synthesis of materials/ construction is big market - production composites and

fiber materials and components (growing volumes)/ use waste for construction materials (e.g.

concrete)/

64 /extend the support to existing pilot projects (hydrogen grid)/

65 /attack the huge mobility problem through lightweight, recyclable, not using energy/ use CO2

as a raw material 'close the loop'/ simple but reliable tools for LCA of new materials/ innovation

on new processing techniques for recycled materials and composites/ research on reuse of

materials/ Look at all production chains from raw materials to recycle/

66 /new business models (i.e. leasing of raw materials)/ raw materials, already strong base

present (academic business) close cooperation/ urban and rural mining/

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3) Specific for the SIM strategic agenda: a) Every program should consider recycling of the newly developed

materials67 b) A program dedicated to this 6th challenge should be started68 c) Bring CO2 and materials in a separate program69 d) More attention to ‘industrialization’ 70 e) Stimulate the ‘smart’ approach with simulation and IT71 f) Accelerate market acceptance for new materials through pilots and

prototyping72 g) Multidisciplinary, open and linked to Horizon 2020 73

67 /new business should focus on recycling and energy saving/ focus on recyclability within every project

II/ broaden program (e.g. recycling)/

68 /new program on reuse of e.g. polymer composite based materials/ SIM program on light and energy

efficient materials (extension of Nanoforce ?) / group on recycling of materials innovations / focus on

recyclable materials/ recycling CLA reuse secondary raw materials/ sustainable use and recycling of

materials/

69 /look at nature for innovative solution/ bio-feedstock for petrochemicals/ materials that bind CO2/

further development of chemical components from renewable resources/ focus on material development

with much higher sustainable content/

70 /focus on sustainability entire industry needs to change / focus on key qualities of Belgian industry/

focus on industrialization/ focus less on characterization and more on production/

71 /quick /immediate identification of materials for optimum reuse (data base)/ prediction of material

properties (e.g. substitution) (ab initio) /

72 /acceptance in the market: develop high quality, 'as new' recycled materials/ identify blockbuster

application for raw material replacement - prioritize I????/ try to set up demonstration project (pilot

plants) in crucial domains/

73 /open innovation multi-disciplinary approach/ focus must be on innovation and research into materials

that are so far not been looked at/ paradigm shift from 'do what we know best' towards 'what has

highest impact' ( and can we play a role)/ try to map as closely as possible SIM programs with societal

challenges in Horizon 2020/