Description
The Laboratory is equipped with different instruments for processing polymeric materials, their thermo-mechanical, morphological and structural characterization. The instruments are used for basic research activities, applied research, third-party services (tariff costs) and R&D activities for companies (within funded research projects).
Instrumentation
- Electrospinning machine (Spinbow) equipped with humidity and temperature control, multiple and coaxial needles, collectors with different geometries.
Technology for the production of non-woven fabrics consisting of continuous fibers of sub-micrometric diameter.
- 3D-Bioprinter (Regemat 3D)
Technology for 3D printing of polymeric materials and biological components
- Hot press
Ternology for the production of melt polymer films
- Mini-extruder
Technology for hot mixing of polymeric materials and additives / fillers
- Vacuum stove
Instrument for heat treatment of samples, even under vacuum conditions
- Spin Coater (Laurell)
Instrument for the production of thin films on different types of substrates
- Thermostated water bath (Julabo)
Instrument for heat treatment of samples, even when kept in agitation
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) (Q100 e Q2000, TA Instruments)
Analysis of the thermal transitions of polymeric materials, even in modulated mode
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) (Q500, TA Instruments)
Study of thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of polymeric materials
- Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) (Q800, TA Instruments)
Study of the mechanical properties of polymeric materials as a function of temperature, frequency and time. It is possible to conduct different types of mechanical analysis to study the viscoelastic properties of materials (ex. creep e stress-relaxation)
- Rheometer (Anton Paar)
Study of the rheological properties of polymeric melts, solutions and gels
- Traction machine (Instron)
Stress-strain analysis in traction and compression
- Polarized light optical microscope equipped with a heating table (Zeiss+Linkam)
Observations of samples and study of the kinetics of crystallization of polymeric materials
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS probe (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry) (Leica)
Surface morphology analysis and determination of the elemental composition
- X-ray diffractometer with heating table (PANalytical)
Analysis of samples containing a crystalline phase
- Optical tensiometer (Biolin Scientific)
Determination of wettability of materials (contact angle), surface tension of liquids and solids
- FTIR spectroscopy (Bruker)
Analysis of solids and liquids for the identification of substances
- Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC o SEC)
Determination of the molecular weight distribution of polymeric materials
Laboratory coordinator
Prof. Maria Letizia Focarete
Teaching and training activity
The laboratory supports the teaching activities of the Master's Degree course in Photochemistry and Molecular Materials, for the development of degree theses and for the development of research projects of doctoral students and post-docs.