MultiSMART: Multi-component Soft Materials Advanced Research Training Network

MultiSMART（多组分软材料高级研究培训网络）是由六所大学、一所私立非营利性研究所、两家大公司和一家中小企业组成的博士网络，涉及分子软材料领域的培训、基础研究和应用。这些具有重大的社会和经济影响，但需要创新以确保可持续发展。主要研究目标定义为：(i)通过多组件自组装实现软材料的创新；（ii）这些材料在大型个人护理和家庭护理行业以及高附加值再生疗法中高性能活性物质配方中的应用。基于低分子量凝胶的多组分系统具有相当大的潜力来实现这些目标，其关键优势是可编程性和响应性。然而，它们的发展取决于形成一个由训练有素的研究人员组成的跨学科网络。MultiSMART提出：(1)培养下一代研究人员；(2)学术项目与私营部门需求的紧密结合；(3)任何一个机构都无法提供的全网络、无缝的多学科、国际和跨部门培训。MultiSMART将由9名受雇的研究人员组成，他们将有机会成为工业和学术领域的科学家。通过综合方法，他们将接受培训，弥合化学、物理、生物和配方技术之间的差距，并通过他们的研究和专门设计的网络范围内的学校和讲习班获得可转移的技能。三个工业参与者参加研究和培训方案将保证受训者获得广泛的部门间经验，并最大限度地发挥网络的影响。

MultiSMART, Multi-component Soft Materials Advanced Research Training Network, is a Doctoral Network of six Universities, oneprivate nonprofit Research Institute, two large Companies and an SME, involving training, fundamental research and applications inthe field of molecular soft materials. These have substantial societal and economic impact, but require innovation to ensuresustainable development. The primary research objectives are defined as (i) the innovation in soft materials through multicomponentself-assemblies; (ii) the application of these materials in the formulation of actives with elevated performance in the largescaleindustries of personal care and home care, as well as high-added value regenerative therapies. Multi-component systems basedon low molecular weight gelators have considerable potential to achieve these goals with the key advantages of programmabilityand responsiveness. However, their development hinges upon the formation of an inter-disciplinary network with well-trainedresearchers.MultiSMART proposes: (1) the training of the future generation of researchers; (2) the tight integration between academic projectsand private sector needs; (3) a network-wide, seamless multidisciplinary, international and inter-sectoral training that is not availableat any one institution. MultiSMART will be formed around 9 hired researchers who will have the opportunity to become scientistsemployable in both the industrial and academic sectors. In an integrated approach, they will be trained to bridge the gap betweenchemistry, physics, biology and formulation technology, as well as to acquire transferable skills through their research and specificallydesigned network-wide schools and workshops. The participation of three industrial participants in research and trainingprogrammes will guarantee extensive inter-sectoral experience for the trainees and maximise the impact of the network.