Enabling technologies in polymer synthesis: accessing a new design space for advanced polymer materials

Abstract

This review discusses how developments in laboratory technologies can push the boundaries of what is achievable using existing polymer synthesis techniques. By making advances in reactor design, online monitoring and automation it has been possible to accelerate polymer discovery while achieving enhanced precision, reproducibility, safety and sustainability. It is hoped that gaining a broad understanding of what is achievable using new technologies will encourage a step-change in the way the polymer chemistry community approaches some aspects of research. This will hopefully open a new design space for the next generation of polymeric materials.