These technologies for structuring the infinitely small have already been extensively researched in the Group and used by different entities. Specific results range from, for instance, the development and marketing of nanostructured fluorinated polymers to the launch of NanoLipanthyl, a new formulation of an existing drug that facilitates absorption.

To exploit its full range of capabilities and foster cross-fertilization, the Group supports innovative projects shared between entities. This has been highlighted by selecting five projects and rewarding them at the Science for Innovation days (read the press release) organized in November 2007. Developed on a cross-entity basis and sometimes involving external partnerships, these projects demonstrate the wide range of possible applications.

Gathering, completing and synthesizing this knowledge and expertise within a single entity, and then disseminating it back throughout the Group is one way of generating even more synergies. It also promotes inter-disciplinarity, which is a vital factor in the creation of innovative products.
 

The five award-winning projects

• development of materials for the new generation of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and very high resolution thin film transistors (TFT);
• better distribution of nanocomposites in very high temperature polymers;
• analysis of the effects of nanoparticles on the properties of polyamides;
• incorporation of nanoparticles in certain polymers as soon as possible in the manufacturing process;
• integrating nanostructures in fuel cell catalysts.