Functional Polymer Systems

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Research in functional polymers is currently at the forefront of activities at the NRC Industrial Materials Institute. This R&D is targeted to the biomedical and renewable energy fields.

Figure 1. Beaded polystyrene fibre nanostructure.

Why functional polymers?

Renewable energy and health

Scientists at NRC-IMI are working on the next generation of fuel cells. Thanks to technology currently being developed, these fuel cells will be less expensive and more efficient. Also, NRC-IMI is developing various polymeric materials that will be used to improve the health of Canadians through improved vascular grafts, neuronal implants and bone regeneration systems.

Applications targeted

The Functional Polymer Systems Group focuses on the following:

Biomedical applications:

• orthopaedic applications (hip replacements, articial cartilage);
• cardiovascular applications (grafts);
• tissue engineering (regeneration of nerves, skin, cartilage, neuronal implants, etc.).

Renewable energy:

• proton exchange membranes for fuel cells applications,
• solar and photovoltaic cells.

Intelligent textiles:

• conducting fibres,
• thermochromic and electrochromic fibres,
• piezoelectric fibres.

Figure 2. Femoral stem in polymeric composite for hip implants.

Processing and characterization of polymers

NRC-IMI conducts research in polymer processing of plastic films, fibres and foams. The objectives are to:

• relate process parameters to the structure (morphology and orientation) developed in the films, fibres and foams;
• develop models and relations between structure and performance (mechanical, shrinkage, tear, barrier, etc.);
• develop in-line monitoring techniques for polymer processing (thickness, crystallinity, orientation, etc.);
• develop models and simulation methods in order to optimize processes.

Polymer characterization is also an important part of the group's activities. It involves:

• the rheology of polymers in the liquid state, both in shear and elongational;
• the morphology of polymer blends and foams;
• the characterization of molecular orientation;
• mechanical, thermal and electrochemical characterization.

Polymers for regenerative medicine

NRC-IMI is engaged in research in the area of polymer-based materials for applications in regenerative medicine. These developed materials contribute, among other things, to bone healing and reconstruction, which includes specic orthopaedic and maxillofacial applications. Other research is aimed at developing grafts and scaolds for cardiovascular, neuronal and nerve regeneration.

Figure 3. Bone cell growth (osteoblasts, cell nucleus in red, extracellular matrix in green) on biocompatible polymers (polyethylene terephthalate/POSS?).

Figure 4. Aligned fluorescent endothelial cells on unweaved polyethylene terephthalate fibres.

Renewable energy

The scientists of the Functional Polymer Systems Group develop polymeric materials used to fabricate proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications. NRC-IMI R&D activities are aimed at developing new materials for fuel cells that are based on polymer blends and polymer composites. The objective is to design new higher performance membranes at a lower cost. This approach is based on the development of multicomponent electrolyte systems using processing techniques in the molten state, such as extrusion, calendering and blowing.

Figure 5. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), before anf after sulfonation.

Intelligent fibres

Intelligent fibres are material of interest for the Functional Polymer Systems Group. These fibres are used for different applications in civil and industrial engineering, in the biomedical field and for military applications. NRC-IMI is particularly interested in high performance fibres, offering superior mechanical or thermal resistance; conducting fibres, fabricated from conducting polymers or conducting micro/nanoparticles; piezoelectric fibres, that can deliver a signal following deformation; as well as in chromic or photovoltaic fibres, having the capacity to change colour when necessary or to generate electricity from light. NRC-IMI is presently developing processes for the fabrication of photovoltaic fibres based on these polymers using various multilayer spinning technologies.

Figure 6. Nanopfibres electrospun of Nafion® (ion-conducting polymer, average diameter 60 nm) on a blown membrane of polypropylene.

Figure 7. Conductive electrospun fibres of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (500 nm average diametre).

Our installations

NRC-IMI has state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories:

• blown extrusion line of monolayer films;
• blown extrusion line of multilayer films;
• co-extrusion cast line;
• apparatus to measure resistance to tearing;
• apparatus to measure Gloss;
• apparatus to measure Haze;
• birefringence;
• biaxial stretcher; .
• apparatus to characterize mechanical properties;
• impact and fatigue;
• thickness measurement;
• deformation assembly;
• optical microscope;
• shrinkage;
• scanning electron microscope;
• infrared spectroscopy;
• UV-visible spectroscopy

Collaborate with NRC-IMI

Aerial View of NRC's Industrial Materials Institute

With its expertise and its state-of-the-art equipment, the NRC Industrial Materials Institute is ready to partner with you for a better understanding of these functional polymer-based technologies and to pursue the development of this science.

The R&D resources of NRC-IMI are accessible to companies as well as other research laboratories that wish to conduct collaborative projects with an integrated approach in order to benefit from technical support or to carry out feasibility studies in the development of new materials and processes.

Contact Us

Lucie Robitaille, Ph.D. Group Leader Functional Polymer Systems Tel.: 450-641-5032 Fax: 450-641-5105 E-mail: Lucie.Robitaille@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
Alexandre Paris, Eng. Business Development Officer Advanced Materials Design Tel.: 450-641-7524 Fax: 450-641-5105 E-mail: Alexandre.Paris@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Industrial Materials Institute