BASF SE has launched a research initiative called ”North American Center for Research on Advanced Materials” through which it is collaborating with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst. One goal of this initiative is to jointly develop new materials for the automotive, building and construction, and energy industries. The cooperation is initially planned for five years. About 20 new post-doctoral positions will be created at the three universities. ”This collaboration with these prestigious American universities is an important expansion of our international research network,” said Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, CEO of BASF Corporation and CFO of BASF SE. ”It is part of BASF’s strategy to further extend our global research and development activities. We rely on strong partners for this project.”
Scientists from disciplines such as chemistry, physics and biology and engineers with know-how in different industries will work together in this research initiative. The academic partners contribute not only their expertise in material sciences, modeling and formulation methods, but also provide new ideas for interesting research approaches. Besides fundamental scientific knowledge, BASF researchers will contribute the necessary experience in transforming research results into technically feasible processes and products and input about which materials are needed in the different industries and applications.
The ideas and topics to be researched will be decided jointly by the researchers participating in the initiative. Topics already identified include micro- and nanostructured polymers with new properties, as well as biomimetic materials that emulate nature.
