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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L02067/01
Title: AN INTEGRATED STHM/THERMAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE WITH APPLICATIONS IN POLYMER SCIENCE.
Principal Investigator: Pollock, Dr H
Other Investigators:
Hourston, Professor DJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
ICI
Department: Physics
Organisation: Lancaster University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 17 March 1997 Ends: 16 March 2000 Value (£): 150,210
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We plan to expand our existing technique of sub-surface imaging (scanning thermal microscopy with localised calorimetric analysis) in a new direction. As well as improved spatial resolution and a new infra-red spectroscopic contrast imaging mode, we would develop fully quantitative scientific modelling of the calorimetric data seen in the thermal images and in the localised temperature scans. Localised dynamic mechanical analysis would complement the thermal data. Thus, we would provide a means of studying what constitutes perhaps the least understood aspect of the physics and chemistry of polymers and composite systems - namely, what goes on at buried interfaces as well as surfaces. The nature/strength of interfaces is a vital and ill-understood factor in controlling the properties of polymer blends in particular, which are of ever-increasing commercial importance in such areas a engineering plastics, including engineering thermosets, and surface coatings. An SPM imaging technique that provides information on thermal diffusivity, melting temperature and degree of crystallinity, thermal history, variations in glass transition temperature (and hence in composition), and heats of adsorption or desorption from specific sites (and hence in affinity for adsorbates) would find wide application.
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Organisation Website: http://www.lancs.ac.uk