Topical section "Advanced Testing of Soft Polymer Materials".

The article titled "Topical section 'Advanced Testing of Soft Polymer Materials'" discusses the importance of using advanced testing methods to characterize and analyze soft polymer materials. The increasing demand for enhanced properties and capabilities in various industries, such as e-mobility, energy generation, information technology, soft robotics, and medical engineering, has led to the need for predictive and advanced laboratory testing. The article emphasizes the importance of accuracy, relevance, productivity, and cost-effectiveness in laboratory testing, as well as the development of new concepts for soft polymeric materials, including nanotechnology, self-healing, and eco-design. The scope of the article includes the development and application of advanced testing methods for chemical, rheological, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic analysis, as well as concepts for predictive testing and realistic load simulation. The article highlights the potential of simulation tools and artificial intelligence in predicting the behavior and durability of soft polymer materials. [Extracted from the article]