Morphology and Rheology of Polymer Materials

Research

• Research is focused on supermolecular structure of polymer systems, mostly by means of microscopic and rheometric methods.
• We characterize of the phase structure of multiphase polymer systems, including image analysis, evaluation of filler dispersion, qualitative estimation of interfacial adhesion etc. We focus on searching the correlations between morphology and selected end-use properties (impact strenght, gloss, tensile properties, wear resistance).
• The most important methods are microscopy (SEM, TEM, LM), followed by rheometry and micromechanical properties (microhardness, micro tensile testing, creep). Thanks to callaborations within the institute we employ also diffraction (SAXS, WAXS) and thermal methods (DSC, TGA).
• Recent projects:
  • Development of wear-resistant UHMWPE for total joint replacements (in the past projects awarded by GACR, MSMT, now TACR; long-lasting collaboration with Motol Hospital and local manufacturer of joint replacements - Beznoska, Ltd.).
  • Nucleated crystallization of semicrystalline synthetic polymers, using our own sandwich method, which yields reproducible preparation and characterizatioin of polymer nanocomposites in micro-scale (project awarded by GACR).
  • Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles for multiple immunolabelling (project "Nanotechnology", main investigator from Institute of Molecular Genetics).
  • Development and targeted modification of phase structure in polymer blends (several projects awarded by GACR).
  • Participation in many different projects, which are associated with investigation of supermolecular structure by means of electron microscopy and/or light microscopy and/or rheometry.