Free course of nanotechnology in plastics: Tanocomp

METHODOLOGY

1. Units: The e-Learning training is divided into four units, which are designed on top of each other. If you have little experience with the topic of plastics production and processing, please start with unit 1. If you are already very familiar with the basics of plastics production and processing, please try to start with unit 2. Units 3 and 4 are only accessible when the exercises of the previous units have been successfully completed.
2. Exercises: After having reviewed the content of each unit, the exercise section of the unit can be accessed. A random set of 10 exercises will appear (5 exercises in unit 4). To successfully complete the exercises, at least 80% of the questions have to be answered correctly. If you have not been able to answer 80% of the exercises correctly, you can try again. For each set of exercises, 3 attempts is the maximum allowed. 

USERS ROLE

Professionals and future professionals on plastic and food sector interested in laying the groundwork and/or expand their knowledge about nanotechnology and its use in the production of food packaging.

CONTENTS

Unit I: Basic concepts

Unit I is designed for beginners in the production and processing of plastics and those students who are not familiar with nanotechnology.

1.- Familiarisation with nanotechnology terms, definitions, history and research trends.

2.- Introduction to the concept of thermoplastic material and its main processing methods.

3.- To know the fields of application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanotechnology in plastics.

Unit II: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their use in the plastics sector

Unit II is intended for those who have successfully completed unit I and those who are already very familiar with the working processes in the production and transformation of plastics and have a comprehensive understanding of nanotechnology. Unit II will give you an overview of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) production methods and technology, the properties of CNTs and the fields of application of composites with CNTs, with a focus on the benefits of CNTs in plastic products.

1.- To understand the production method of CNTs.

2.- To get a clear understanding of the properties of CNTs.

3.- To know the contributions of CNTs to the plastics industry.

Unit III: Injection Moulding & Extrusion and incorporation of carbon nanotubes

Unit III will provide you with an overview of carbon nanotube masterbatches, their different compounds and a cost/benefit analysis, the definition of processing parameters (injection moulding and extrusion) of thermoplastics with carbon nanotubes and the challenges involved.

1.- To become familiar with the general aspects related to masterbatches with carbon nanotubes (definition, costs, production, parameters).

2.- To obtain an overview of the parameters of the extrusion process for the transformation of thermoplastics with carbon nanotubes.

3.- To obtain an overview of the parameters of the injection moulding process for the transformation of thermoplastics with carbon nanotubes.

4.- To acquire a general knowledge of the challenges posed by the properties of CNTs and the production of thermoplastics.

Unit IV: Carbon nanotubes: risk prevention and environmental issues

Unit IV provides information on toxicological and eco-toxicity data of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the handling of CNTs during synthesis and product development, knowledge and good practices in handling CNTs and an overview of national and European regulations.

1.- To become familiar with the toxicity aspects of carbon nanotubes.

2.- To become familiar with the safety aspects in the handling of carbon nanotubes during the synthesis and production of thermoplastics.

3.- To become familiar with and become aware of good practices in the handling of CNTs.

4.- To obtain an overview of the national and European regulations in the handling of CNTs.