Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L26353/01
Title:	TO PURCHASE A RENISHAW RAMAN MICROSCOPE TO UPGRADE THE DEPARTMENTAL FACILITIES
Principal Investigator:	Voice, Dr A
Other Investigators:	McLeish, Professor T Duckett, Dr RA
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	BICC Renishaw
Department:	Physics and Astronomy
Organisation:	University of Leeds
Scheme:	JREI
Starts:	13 March 1997	Ends:	12 March 2000	Value (£):	73,903
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
We plan to use the Renishaw Raman Microscope on a wide range of research areas. The strain-sensitivity of molecular vibrational frequencies will be utilised to image the strain distribution along single fibres within a composite to relate this to the macroscopic properties of the composite. The strain sensitivity will also be utilised to map out the stress distribution around polymer crazes of samples with different molecular architectures, to compare with theoretical predictions. The stress in homogeneities within polymer wire coatings will also be imaged and related to coating performance. This work will be done in collaboration with BICC Cables Ltd. Research will also be undertaken into the capabilities of the instrument itself. Its ability to yield accurate molecular orientation information from polymeric samples will be assessed and modifications to the instrument will be made to improve these measurements where possible. This work will be undertake in collaboration with the instrument's manufactures, Renishaw.Finally, in the light of the orientation analysis, two projects are planned which map out the molecular orientation within polymeric samples. The first of these involves the attempt to distinguish between two theories of orientation of low molecular weight polymers freely included in a strained network. The second involves electrostrictive polymers under electric field.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.leeds.ac.uk