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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M21799/01
Title: NOVEL MOLECULAR COMPOSITES PREPARED FROM LYOTROPIC CELLULOSE DERIVATIONS IN POLYMERIZABLE MEDIA
Principal Investigator: Cowie, Professor I
Other Investigators:
Arrighi, Dr V
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Durham, University of
Department: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 12 October 1998 Ends: 11 October 2001 Value (£): 177,964
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
In this proposal we wish to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of new blends and composites incorporating a semi - rigid rod component and a variety of flexible polymers. These materials when prepared by physical blending techniques tend to form micro-domains due to the intrinsic immiscibility between the semi - rigid rod and flexible components. The tendency of the two polymer components to phase-separate can be overcome by preparing the composite in situ.Our study will focus on cellulose derivatives which form lyotropic solutions in photopolymerizable monomers above a critical concentration. The mechanical properties of blends and composites prepared by phootopolymerization of the isotropic and lyotropic phases will be investigated and the extent of mixing of the two components characterised at a molecular level using static and dynamic techniques. A variety of cross-linking methods will be used to improve the mechanical properties of the composites in the direction perpendicular to the alignment, which is a problem encountered with main-chain liquid crystalline polymers.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.hw.ac.uk