| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M58306/01 |
| Title: |
ON LINE MEASUREMENT & CONTROL OF MICROSTRUCTURE IN EXTRUSION OF MULTIPHASE SOFT MATERIALS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Williams, Professor RA |
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| Department: |
Mining and Mineral Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
06 January 2000 |
Ends: |
05 July 2003 |
Value (£): |
250,783
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Complex fluids & soft solids |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Chemicals |
| Food and Drink |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The research seeks to develop and apply a new method for on-line characterisation of structured multiphase materials as they are processed within extrusion equipment. Arrays of conductivity electrodes and piezoelectric ultrasound transmitters/receivers are fabricated within the die head of the extruder itself, from which both spatial and temporal properties are deduced.The characterisation of solid/liquid pastes and a three-phase ceramic foams will be considered in extruder diameters of 2mm and 20mm. The research will fabricate the sensor arrays, high speed sensor excitation and data collection system, and interpretation software. Several novel methods of data analysis are to be evaluated including statistical interpretation of raw signals, tomographic reconstruction (eg to yield the moisture content profile directly in the paste system, and a homogeneity factor for the foam system), integrated fusion of data from ultrasound and conductivity sensors. The methodology will be tested in the laboratory and on an industrial site with one of the two participating industrial collaborators (Du Pont UK and ECC International).The application of the methodology will be demonstrated for optimisation of product consistency and as a means of controlling microstructure during manufacture.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |