Trakya University's Project to Be Supported by TÜBİTAK

Trakya University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kaçar will lead a project titled "Smart Polyurethane Coatings and Their Interaction with Water: Integrated Multi-Scale Molecular Simulation and Experimental Study," which will receive support under the "2535-TUBITAK and Iran Ministry of Science, Research and Technology International Scientific Cooperation Centre (CISC-MSRT) Cooperation Agreement." The project aims to develop new materials that will expand the application areas of polymeric polyurethane coatings, which are important engineering materials with a global market of approximately USD 80 billion. The project will involve modifying the molecular structure of polyurethane-based materials to develop new "smart" materials that exhibit hydrophilic properties when in contact with water and hydrophobic properties in water-free environments. The new "smart" polyurethane coatings developed through this project are expected to be used in numerous fields where functional surfaces are important, including decorative applications, paints, automotive, and aerospace industries. The project encompasses both theoretical and applied research. In the project led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Kaçar at Trakya University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, molecular structures will be examined in virtual environments through computer simulations, while the materials developed virtually will be synthesized experimentally through the project conducted by Assist. Prof. Dr. Hesam Makki from Amirkabir University of Technology in Iran.