Thermogravimetric analysis instrument for development of high-performance elastomers, novel catalysts and nanomaterials

这项设备赠款申请是为了从TA Instruments购买Q5000 IR热重分析仪(TGA)，用于测定催化剂、聚合物和各种纳米材料的组成和结构特征。与其他TGA相比，这种TGA具有许多独特的特点，如快速准确的测量和先进的自动化以及广泛的测量温度范围。据介绍，这台所需设备支持的研究包括滑铁卢大学化工系内正在进行的各种研究项目。这里列举了一些正在进行的研究项目作为例子：先进橡胶材料/技术的开发以及纳米材料和纳米技术的开发。这些研究计划是NSERC/工业研究教席项目，或NSERC/工业合作研究和开发项目，或NSERC发现资助项目或工业项目。这些项目处于相关研究领域的前沿。这些项目的实现将对这些领域的学术和商业方面做出重大贡献。然而，这些项目的成功需要先进的TGA，如要求的Q5000 IR TGA。他表示，购买此类设备将增强滑铁卢大学化工系的研究工具和培训设施。这些研究项目的成功和高素质人才的培养将有利于加拿大的高科技发展和经济繁荣。

This equipment grant application is for the purchase of a Q5000 IR Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) from TA Instruments for determining compositions and structural characteristics of catalysts, polymers and various nanomaterials. This TGA has a number of unique features compared to other TGAs, such as rapid and accurate measurement and advanced automation as well as wide temperature range of measurement.        The research to be supported by this requested equipment includes various ongoing research projects within the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo. A few ongoing research programs are named here as examples: Development of Advanced Rubber Materials/Technology and Development of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology. These research programs are NSERC/Industrial Research Chair projects, or NSERC/Industrial Collaborative Research and Development projects, or NSERC Discovery Grant projects or industrial projects. These projects are located at the frontier of the relevant research fields. The realization of these projects will make significant contributions to both academic and commercial aspects of these areas. However, the success of these projects requires an advanced TGA such as the requested Q5000 IR TGA.        The purchase of such equipment will enhance the research tools and training facilities in the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Waterloo. The success of these research programs and the training of high quality personnel will be beneficial to high-tech development and economic prosperity of Canada.