Transport properties are affecting our daily life; electrons are moving to give us light and water is travelling up the plant to replace the transpired water. Membrane technologies, based on selective diffusion and/or solubility, makes it possible to clean the air from volatile organic compounds. Sponges are used in the kitchen to clean the desk from liquids. Controlled release makes it possible to administer medicals over a certain time period etc.

Transport is also creating problems/challenges; air is leaving the tires, leading to that we have to fill up again, the risk for voltage breakdown limits the voltage that can be used in electric power transmission, capillary-driven water transport leads to mold growth in buildings, hygroscopic polymers (including cellulose-based materials) have different mechanical properties in summer and winter. Thermal transport necessitates thick insulations in houses, the combined issues with moisture and oxygen often necessitates complex and expensive multilayer solutions for food and medical packaging.

With this in mind, we here initiate a seminar series on transport properties. The purpose is to educate ourselves on the topic. We believe that a broad knowledge on this is a good tool for the work in WWSC and can also lead to new collaborations within WWSC.