Laboratory of Polymers & Biomaterials

JSM-6010PLUS/LV  InTouchScope™ is a high performance, fast imaging microscope with adjustable high and low vacuum settings, secondary electron imaging and three types of backscattered electron imaging (topography, composition, and shadowed images. Its key features are:

• high resolution imaging in HV/LV/SE/BSE
• multi-touch screen control and wireless operation
• automatic SEM condition setup based on sample type
• simultaneous multiple live image and movie capture
• 5x – 300,000x magnifications

It is equipped with a large touch screen PC with intuitive multi-touch screen interface and the operation knob set for frequently used controls such as magnification, focus, brightness, and contrast. It also can be operated wirelessly.

This machine is suitable for the electrospinning of fibers and the electrospraying of particles and it is ideal for proof-of-concept and feasibility studies of new materials and formulations. Electrospinning machine is equipped with air conditioning unit that introduces a conditioned air stream into the cabinet. The temperature of the air can be controlled from 20ºC to 45ºC (± 1ºC). Relative humidity can be controlled from 10% to 80% (± 5%), depending on temperature. This enables high flexibility of electrospinning conditions as well as independence from the external air humidity and temperature.

The VERTEX 70, high performance FT-IR spectrometer, for demanding analytical and R&D application. The fully digital FT-IR spectrometer features DigiTectTM technology based on parallel running dual-channel delta sigma ADC´s with 24-bit dynamic range, the ACR and AAR Automatic Components and Accessories Recognition as well as the BRAIN Bruker Artificial Intelligence Network which guarantees PEAK signal-to-noise ratio and reliable user friendly instrument operation. The standard spectral resolution of better than 0.4 cm-1 is suitable for most measurements of solids, liquids and low temperature crystalline samples. 

The OCA 15 is the entry level measuring device for professional contact angle measurements and drop shape analysis. This device has automatic dosing system which let to obtain precisse and repetative measurements. Measuring range is 0-180° / ±0.1°. Moreover, this device let to conduct measurements using 5 different techniques. Due to possibility of free syringe/ liquid changing surface energy can be measured. Softwere let to calculate surface energy with accuracy ca.   0.01  - 2000 mN/m /± 0.01 mN/m, using various matematical models.

The TC-3 Bioreactor has been designed as a simple, easy-to-use system suitable to create cell culture experimental set-ups accounting for user-defined mechanical loading profiles. It combines the features of a traditional testing machine with the particular demands of cell culture, with special emphasis on the sterilization of the parts which are going to contact the culture medium, the easy assembling, the sample inspection by microscopy techniques and the straightforward sample manipulation.

The TC-3 permits to work with:

•     Horizontally and vertically arranged multiple samples.
•     Immersed and air-liquid interface setups.
•     Sheet-shaped, rod-shaped and cylinder-shaped substrates.
•     Tension and compression axial loading.
•     Simultaneous flow and deformation conditions.
•     Hydrostatic pressure conditions.

The Linkam optical DSC600 is a single cell system with small silver furnace, suitable for transmitted and reflected light studies. Enables simultaneous measurements of heat flow and by other techniques as polarized optical microscopy (see the picture), XRD, FTIR, laser. Operates between -196°C (with liquid nitrogen cooling system LNP95) and 600°C with rates of up to 130°C/min. Minimum heating/cooling rates of 0.1°C/minute are possible. Equipped with aluminum, sapphire and quartz crucibles.

A pair of single sided vice grips for tensile testing, appropriate for thin samples (no more than 24mm wide, and no more than 2mm thick recommended). Faces are rubber coated. The gripping force is applied by a threaded rod which is cross drilled to allow the use of a bar to increase the clamping force. Maximum load is 500N but this is just the rating of the grip. The actual load that can be applied to the sample will depend on the coefficient of friction. It is usually used with 100N head. Adapted to be used with Lloyd EZ50 machine.

UP200Ht is used for the sonication of sample volumes from 0.1 to 1000mL. Whilst the 40mm sonotrode transmits the ultrasound smoothly across a relatively large surface, the sonotrodes with smaller tip diameter operate at higher amplitudes and at higher intensities, e.g. for destructive applications. This ultrasonic homogenizer has digital control and touch screen, automatic data recording, intuitive operation and ergonomic and shapely design for the most user-friendly use and working comfort.

This electrospinning setup allows to perform electrospinning process under controlled temperature. Numerous studies confirm that electrospinning is sensitive to external conditions, in particular temperature. For example, lowering the temperature of our process (e.g. to 0°C) will enable a  reduction in the rate of evaporation of a solvent, thus slowing down the process of drying of the polymer. The constructed chamber allows additionally to control the humidity.

In this method high voltage is applied between a needle and a collector, resulting in electric charging of a fluid. Formation of a jet occurs under complex interactions of various forces. When the molecular cohesion of a liquid is relatively high, continuous jet is formed, otherwise droplets are electrosprayed. Various instabilities occur on the way of the flowing jet, resulting in very high draw ratios. All fibres are deposited on the collector.

Equipped with CCD camera, digital and analogue registration. Attachments for: heating, stretching, application of electric field.  Measurements of optical properties (birefringence, refractive indices), and their  changes during thermal or mechanical treatment.  Measurements of nucleation and radial growth rates of spherulites.

Equipped with an electronic system for online registration of the depolarization degree. Allows to detect light depolarization degree during phase transitions and follow fast isothetmal or non-isothermal crystallization.

Press moulding of polymer foils at various temperature regimes.

Studies of biodegradation

Measurements of density (crystallinity) of polymers in the column with concentration gradient of two liquids.