Urgent Replacement of Gel Permeation Chromatograph to Characterize Novel Polymers

紧急更换凝胶渗透色谱仪来表征新型聚合物

• 批准号: RTI-2023-00191
• 负责人: Gates, Derek
• 金额: $ 10.93万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=747872
• 关键词: Urgent; Replacement; Gel; Permeation; Chromatograph

We urgently need to replace failing Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) equipment that is critical to analyze novel polymers that are produced in the applicants' laboratories.  GPC is the most important method used in both industry and academic labs to evaluate the molecular weight (a measure of size) of polymeric samples. Many important properties of polymers, such as their physical and mechanical properties, are dependent on the molecular weight. It also serves as a useful measure of the success of a polymerization reaction where monomers are converted to polymers. Thus, every single polymerization experiment performed in a synthetic polymer laboratory requires an analysis of the final product by GPC. The current instrumentation is relied upon by the groups of the three co-applicants (> 30 HQP) along with several other academic users both within and outside the department and industry users. Due to the PI's expertise in the characterization of inorganic and organometallic polymers, he often runs samples for other groups across Canada.  The current instrumentation in our Polymer Characterization Facility contains failing components that are 10 years old and will no longer be supported by the vendor. The proposed acquisition will result in a state-of-the-art GPC facility containing the latest technology for molecular weight determination. A delay in acquiring this equipment will cause the NSERC-funded research in the synthesis of novel functional polymers to grind to a halt if and when the existing equipment fails. Without continuous access to GPC, it will not be possible to publish our work in: (i) the development of functional phosphorus-containing polymers with unique emissive properties, (ii) the synthesis of novel biodegradable plastics, and (iii) the development of aminated polymers with remarkable adhesive and anti-corrosive properties. Given that GPC is a method critical to polymer industry, hands-on experience with this instrumentation forms a critical component in the training of HQP in our collective laboratories. In addition, this experience is easily transferrable to the analysis of large biological molecules. Thus, the skills obtained using this equipment is applicable to a wide range of careers in government, industry or academia in Canada.

我们迫切需要更换失效的凝胶渗透色谱（GPC）设备，这对于分析申请人实验室中生产的新型聚合物至关重要。 GPC是工业和学术实验室中用于评估聚合物样品分子量（尺寸测量）的最重要方法。聚合物的许多重要性质，例如它们的物理和机械性质，取决于分子量。它还用作单体转化为聚合物的聚合反应成功的有用量度。因此，在合成聚合物实验室中进行的每一个聚合实验都需要通过GPC对最终产物进行分析。目前的仪器依赖于三个共同申请人（> 30 HQP）的团体沿着与其他几个学术用户内外的部门和行业用户。由于PI在无机和有机金属聚合物表征方面的专业知识，他经常为加拿大各地的其他团体运行样品。 我们聚合物表征设施中的当前仪器包含已使用10年的故障组件，供应商将不再提供支持。拟议的收购将导致一个国家的最先进的GPC设施，其中包括最新的分子量测定技术。如果现有设备出现故障，延迟获得这种设备将导致NSERC资助的新型功能聚合物合成研究陷入停顿。如果不能连续使用GPC，我们就不可能在以下方面发表我们的工作：（i）开发具有独特发光性能的功能性含磷聚合物，（ii）合成新型生物降解塑料，以及（iii）开发具有显著粘合剂和防腐性能的胺化聚合物。鉴于GPC是聚合物行业的一种关键方法，因此在我们的集体实验室中，使用该仪器的实践经验是HQP培训的关键组成部分。此外，这种经验很容易转移到大的生物分子的分析。因此，使用该设备获得的技能适用于加拿大政府，工业或学术界的广泛职业。