The radiation grafting method is of interest for the preparation of ion-exchange membranes for electrochemical and other applications. Typically styrene is used in this method because the grafted polystyrene can be readily modi®ed to introduce a variety of functionalities. The grafting of poly(ethylene-alt-tetra¯uoroethylene), or ETFE, ®lms with styrene by the pre-irradiation method has been investigated and compared to that of poly(tetra¯uorethylene-co-hexa¯uoropropylene), or FEP, and poly(vinylidene ¯uoride), or PVDF. The in¯uence of base polymer ®lm properties such as ®lm thickness, extent of orientation, and molar mass on the grafting behavior of ETFE ®lms is reported. Film orientation was found to often have a dominant in¯uence either directly, as in the case of monoaxially oriented ®lms, or indirectly, as a result of the ®lm extrusion process. In addition, the effects of the irradiation type and atmosphere and grafting temperature on the grafting behavior of one ETFE ®lm type were examined in more detail.

The properties of solids and liquids are strongly influenced by surface phenomena. At the interface of two phases, properties like wetting, adhesion and friction are determined by the degree of interaction between the phases. Controlling this interaction by means of chemistry at interfaces represents the major research topic of the Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry at ZHW.

A major activity of the Department of Chemistry at the ZHW is research and development with Swiss chemical and biotechnological companies. A key asset is the network of the chemistry department with the other departments of ZHW and other universities in Switzerland. The activities of the department are grouped in three sections: Specialty Chemicals, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, and (Bio)Chemical Sensors and Measurement Techniques. A number of projects, often supported by KTI (Commission for Technology and Innovation), are mentioned in the article.

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The recently founded Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology ICB of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, (ZHW) is the common platform for all R&D as well as service activities of the Abteilung für Chemie und Biologische Chemie CBC. The geographical market of the ICB comprises primarily the Greater Zurich Area, eastern and central Switzerland. The customers are the small- and medium-sized enterprises of the region as well as larger corporations in Switzerland. The ICB benefits from its two pillars, chemistry and biotechnology, and a sound networking of the institute at ZHW and in Switzerland. The structure of the ICB is clearly centered around three focal points of competence, namely Specialty Chemistry, (Bio)Chemical Measurement and Sensor Technique, and Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.