One key area of collaboration lies in the development of smart protective coatings and filtration materials for defence infrastructure and personnel. ESE’s polymers can be functionalised to selectively trap and neutralise hazardous airborne threats, including chemical warfare agents (CWAs), toxic industrial compounds, and volatile organic pollutants. For example, ESE is currently engaged in a project to design conductive polymer materials capable of trapping and degrading CWAs, intended for use in air filtration systems, protective suits, and surface coatings. These materials are engineered for selectivity, responsiveness, and durability in extreme environments—making them ideal for military deployment. 

ESE’s materials also have potential in sensor and detection technologies, particularly where molecular recognition is needed. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), with their high specificity and tunable design, can be used to create selective recognition systems that mimic biological receptors without the fragility or limitations of biological components. These materials can serve as robust, chemically resistant components in portable detection kits for battlefield use or in early-warning environmental monitoring systems around critical military sites. 

Furthermore, ESE offers consultancy and co-development opportunities for the customisation of materials tailored to specific defence applications—ranging from adaptive camouflage coatings, to corrosion-resistant layers, to active environmental protection systems.