The development and ultimately commercialisation of a new industrial process for sustainable polymer manufacturing

虽然仍然主要（但不完全）关注缩聚反应，但该项目将致力于了解微波辅助聚合反应的可扩展性，以合成高分子材料，应用于高性能涂料行业。这可能包括探索无溶剂环境中的缩聚反应（即融合过程），这与以前的学生和该组内的IAA项目的重点一致。此外，该项目可能包括通过适当溶剂辅助的共沸缩聚过程的探索。这将包括探索“目标材料”的合成；聚酯，聚酰胺，聚酯酰胺，聚氨酯和醇酸材料，通过其中一种或两种工艺。缩合聚合物批量加工的一个重大挑战是监测反应过程和官能团的转化。学生还将通过在线电介质监测等技术，探索在线监测反应过程的技术。

Whilst still focussing primarily (but not exclusively) on polycondensation reactions this project will aim to understand the scalability of microwave assisted polymerisation reactions for the synthesis of polymeric materials for applications in the Performance Coatings industry. This could include the exploration of polycondensation reactions in a solvent free environment (i.e. a fusion process) in-line with the focus of a previous studentship and the IAA project within this group. Additionally this project is likely to include the exploration of azeotropic polycondensation processes assisted via a suitable solvent. This will include exploration into the synthesis of 'Target Materials'; polyester, polyamide, polyesteramide, polyurethane and alkyd materials, via either or both of these processes.One of the significant challenges of bulk processing of condensation polymers is monitoring of reaction progress and conversion of functional groups. The student will also explore techniques for in-line monitoring of reaction process, via techniques such as in-line dielectric monitoring.