ATLANTIS is motivated by the fact that suitably 3-D engineered and functionalised porousstructured reactors can bring important breakthroughs not only in the already established market forautomotive emission control systems, but also on the emerging biotech markets of bacterial-cellsderivedpolymers and of mammalian-cells-derived recombinant protein antibodies. The S&T objectiveis to produce the required knowledge base and component technologies for the production of:

ATLANTIS radical innovations stem from novel and innovative processes, products and materialsand include:

1. hierarchical assembly/manufacturing processes for new porous materials, built from 0-D(powders), 1-D (fibres), 2-D (sheets) and up to 3-D (foams and honeycomb monoliths) buildingblocks, of diverse metallic and ceramic materials;
2. functionalisation with nano-structured catalysts and biocompatible surface treatments/coatings, employing novel Aerosol Technologies to achieve 3-D tailoring of porosity andsurface characteristics;
3. novel materials, not readily accessible by conventional chemistry routes.

The multidisciplinary and diverse application targets of ATLANTIS pull together advanced R&Defforts in Europe, integrating different blocks of research activities. ATLANTIS will shorten thedistance between R&D and market deployment in established as well as in ‘niche’ market areas. Thecritical mass achieved within the Consortium, led by a strong industrial leadership, includes specializedresearch centres, complemented by four large key industry players and five high tech SMEs, to ensurethat the R&D activities will have a clear market orientation, secure fast exploitation of results andcontribute clearly towards the objective of the Lisbon European Council in March 2000 to make the EU‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world’.