High-throughput screening and combinatorial methods : the future of polymer research in industry and academia? : a feasibility study

A feasibility study has been made on the use of combinatorial material research (CMR) in the field of polymer science, in compliance with both the technological and economical aspects. Will it be the future of polymer science in industry and academia or is it merely a temporary trend? Different methods of combinatorial polymer synthesis and high-throughput screening (HTS) techniques are discussed. Furthermore, an overview has been made of the main applications of these techniques and the economical implications of implementing CMR and HTS in polymer research. Finally it is concluded that CMR and HTS should be considered as indispensable tools for the future of polymer science.