Difference between revisions of "Institute for Applied Materials"

Revision as of 14:47, 3 March 2011

Research focus areas in the Institute of Applied Materials Carbon materials

   * Nuclear-grade carbon for pebble-bed reactor

Inorganics

   * Nano-clay polymer additives
   * Dry processing of ceramic composite boards
   * Zirconium chemicals from zircon sand
   * "Green" Pyrotechnic Time-Delay Compositions
   * Pigments for glazes

Polymers

   * Starch-based plastic compounds
   * Fast-release solid pesticide formulations
   * Gassing of emulsion explosives
   * Polymer additives including photodegradants for polyethylene, intumescent flame retardants and volatile corrosion inhibitors for plastics packaging.

Fluoro-Materials Group

   * Fluoropolymers
   * Dry fluorination
   * Fluorine production
   * HF-based minerals processing

Research Projects in the Institute of Applied Materials

   * Carbon materials (Eskom PBMR, Suprachem)
   * Inorganics and ceramics (African Explosives, Kumba Resources)
   * Polymers (African Products, Xyris technology)

Research sponsorships

Industrial with support from NRF through the THRIP-programme.

Research facilities available at UP

   * Laboratory for microscopy and micro-analysis (SEM, TEM, EDS)
   * Raman and infrared facility (FTIR, Raman scpectroscopy)
   * Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, BET Surface Area)
   * Committee for XRD and XRF (XRD, XRF)
   * XPS facility (XPS)
   * NMR spectroscopy (NMR)