The aim of the thematic network POLECER is to identify key areas for development within Polar Electroceramics, strategically important to European industry, co-ordinate R&D activities in this field, pursue efficient dissemination of their
results to industrial users and support implementation of emerging
technologies leading to new products. Our strategic goal is to
bring Europe into the forefront of technological development
and strengthen its competitiveness, both by means of innovative
products and by setting and promoting environmental standards
for industry. The POLECER Network will organise and support co-operation
between European regions incl. former Eastern Europe and stimulate
the exchange of young scientists from different countries.
Due to their unique properties, the polar electroceramic materials
covered by the POLECER network are an important part of several
devices, used either actively as generators, motors, transformers
and transducers etc. or passively as sensors, and therefore present
in our everyday life. Piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects
have been most commonly used. However, devices exploiting electrostrictive,
electro-optical and photostrictive effects are either at the
development stage or being considered. The most active electroceramic
materials contain lead and identifying an equivalent lead-free
replacement has until now proven very difficult despite years
of research in Europe, USA and Japan.
POLECER will invite projects dedicated to R&D activities
within electroceramics to join the network and will co-ordinate
the exchange of information between groups working within 5th
Framework projects, EUREKA and COST. Also, national materials
programmes such as British and German will be invited. CENELEC's
Technical Committees within electroceramics will be invited to
present their work at POLECER's annual workshops. The network
administration will organise annual workshops to ensure the information
flow within the network and special sessions at future European
Electroceramics conferences for the information dissemination
to others than participating projects.
The
POLECER network started in April 2001 and will continue at least
until March 2005. You can get much more information on the network
on the offical
POLECER website.
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