The Laboratory for Sorption in Porous & Composite Materials has been formed from the collaboration between the Institutes of Nuclear & Radiological Science & Technology, Energy and Safety (INRASTES) and Advanced Materials, Physicochemical Processes, Nanotechnology & Microsystems (IAMPPNM), of the National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", the largest multidisciplinary Physical Sciences Research Institution of Greece. The team possesses strong experience in the field of synthesis and characterisation of nanostructured materials for environmental, energy and industrial applications with emphasis on inorganic and hybrid porous media.

The available equipment includes chemical synthesis facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation for advanced material characterisation, including: microscopy (AFM, HRSEM, TEM), spectroscopy (FTIR, RAMAN, MAS-NMR, MS), chromatography (GC, HPLC), thermal analysis (TGA, DSC, high pressure DSC), X-ray diffraction, volumetric and gravimetric systems for gas/vapour sorption (measurements at different pressure/temperature conditions), mechanical and contact angle tests. In addition it possesses unique gas sampling / analysis facilities for  high-level services in the areas of air quality and environmental impact assessment.

The group exhibits a high level of visibility and credibility at international level as also demonstrated by its extensive experience in externally funded research projects (participation in and coordination of more than 50 national, European and international projects) involving research organizations and industries. The topics range from the study of nanoporous materials for several applications and processes (gas storage/separation, nanocomposites, waste-water treatment etc.), the structural and dynamic characterization of biological systems, to the atmospheric dispersion of pollutants.

Within GLOW, the NCSRD group will have the chance to exchange know-how with the three participating SME's and obtain new expertise in areas (e.g. coatings formulation and testing, design of special nanoadditives for coatings, upscaling of materials production, advanced characterization techniques, industrial quality control) complementing their current interests. It is expected that through GLOW NCSRD will (a) greatly expand and widen their research competence towards polymer based nanocomposites, (b) make significant progress towards the much desired exploitation of research results in real-life, market oriented applications, and (c) establish strong, long-term collaborations especially with industrial stakeholders. In addition, the successful implementation of the project is likely to lead the NCSRD group to significant scientific achievements pertaining to the:

• Development of new concepts and methodologies for the synthesis/modification/incorporation of a series of new clay and carbon based nanostructures for multisectorial use (e.g. nanoadditives in high performance coatings).
• Expansion of the applicability of the available large array of advanced characterisation methods towards new physicochemical processes and phenomena (interface phenomena on hybrid structures, polymer crosslinking mechanisms etc.).