Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer for Fundamental and Applied Materials Research

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New materials made from unconventional starting materials including carbon dioxide and food industry waste are highly desirable. They can potentially lower the carbon footprint for industry but to be economically viable they must have physical properties as good as, or superior to, those already in use. We are currently using these feedstocks to prepare polymers and composites. A dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) characterizes physical properties of a new material. For example, it can determine the influence of heat on the elasticity or resistance to breaking of a plastic. It can determine the bendability of a material as well as how brittle a material becomes when it cools. The behaviour of a material under changes in temperature and the stresses the materials can tolerate are important properties that determine how a new material can be used. Furthermore, we are interested in environmental, chemical and biological degradation of materials. In such cases, it is important to consider mechanisms of the degradation both in terms of chemistry and mechanical behaviour. For example, incorporation of a bio-derived material (e.g. biochar) within nanocomposites primarily made from polycaprolactone can both increase strength and biodegradation potential. Memorial University currently lacks such an instrument for characterizing plastics and composite materials on a laboratory scale. It will be a critical research and training tool for us and will provide this valuable information. The DMA complements existing materials characterization instrumentation at Memorial University and the data it provides are critical in order to fully understand the materials we make. We have recently made non-isocyanate polyurethanes from waste fish oil and carbon dioxide, but we were unable to get mechanical data on the polymers. We are also making polycarbonates from other renewable starting materials, such as limonene, which is obtained from citrus fruit peels. Further to good physical properties, we will design materials with enhanced marine degradability to prevent ocean pollution, new switchable/hybrid polycarbonates for high value applications, and new calcite-composites for use in drug delivery. Annually we train on average 6 PhD, 3 MSc and 3 undergraduate research students in green chemistry, catalysis, materials and polymer science. Many are supported by NSERC scholarships. We also collaborate extensively with NSERC-funded chemical engineers and their HQP. The DMA will enhance their training environment and provide data for publication in top tier journals and for technology transfer activities. Upon receiving this hands-on technical training our personnel will be well suited for employment in Canadian industry (e.g. the emerging bioeconomy sector) or to pursue further research in academia or government labs.