Platform I
Leader: João Maia
The Rheology and New Processing Platform complements and extends the CLiPS multi-layer processing capabilities to enable the fabrication of hierarchical microlayered and nanolayered complex polymer-based structures and systems. Platform I researchers are designing and employing new feedblocks and multiplier dies in their work, as well as developing the capability to accurately simulate multi-layered flows inside this new equipment.
Some of the projects in Platform I include:
- Development of new microstructures
- Extended rheological characterization of materials
- Computational flow modeling
- Layering of rheologically dissimilar materials
- Layering of multiphase materials
New Microstructures
The goal of the new microstructures project is to develop fibers and/or fibrillar structures, to which purpose research is being performed in the production of checkered 2D structures and in post-extrusion layer delamination.
Extended Rheological Characterization
The extended rheological characterization project is focused on the development of a new dual controlled stress/rate extensional rheometer for polymer melts that will allow CLiPS to perform the full spectrum of rheological characterization of the materials.
Computational Flow Modeling
This ability to fully model the viscoelastic behavior of the polymers is a critical aspect of the computational flow modeling project. The aim of this project is to simulate the flow of co-extruded materials in different feedblocks and multiplying dies.
Layering of Rheologically Dissimilar Materials
The layering of rheologically dissimilar materials project is devoted to the optimization of processing conditions and die flow geometry to allow the layering of materials of highly dissimilar rheological behavior. In order to achieve this and to understand the kinetics of propagation of flow instabilities, a visualization die with the same channel geometry as the current multiplying die has been developed.
Layering of Multiphase Materials
The aim of this project is to develop the computational simulation and experimental processing tools to allow the micro and nano-layering of complex multiphase polymeric materials, such as foams, blends and nanocomposites.