Polymer nanocomposites are blends of different polymer matrices with nanometre sized functional particles. The properties of such nanocomposites are remarkably different compared to conventionally filled polymers. The incorporation of only a few percent of nanosized particles can make both dramatic property changes and formerly unachievable property combinations possible. Polymer materials reinforced with nanoscale components are therefore adding new dimensions to composite materials and major improvements in functional and structural properties are within reach. Offering improved barrier properties, fire resistance, and strength, polymer nanocomposites are increasingly desirable as coating, structural, and packaging materials and are of great importance for a multitude of industrial uses in automotive, health care, electronics, aerospace, mechanical engineering, construction and building and consumer products with great economical and ecological benefits. This new technology constitutes a driving force for new employment opportunities in Europe.
Despite such property improvements and despite a large amount of research being undertaken in industry, research laboratories and universities, nanocomposites is still a nascent field of materials science and technology which is in the development stage with tremendous potential growth prospects in the future.
To improve this situation in Europe, and making the best out of what is available requires top level research but also intensified networking and concentration in order to form a critical mass of expertise. The COST Action MP0701 on polymer nanocomposites will be innovative in that sense that a critical mass of expertise can be formed targeting many different areas of application and facilitating the fast exchange of information between different areas of expertise and applications.

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