From fresh steak to new phones, the goods we buy are usually wrapped in one thing: plastic. And plastic dominates how we pack and store products for good reason – it is lightweight, cost-efficient, and durable. Plastic helps us transport and receive goods in perfect condition, thus reducing food waste and preventing damaged goods from heading to landfills.
DetailsPolymer rheology plays a critical role in understanding the flow behavior and viscoelastic properties of polymers across the supply chain. Whether in polymer manufacturing, compounding, conversion, or recycling, precise rheological measurements are essential for optimizing processing conditions, ensuring product quality, and preventing defects.
DetailsThe composites market is evolving fast. Global market projections indicate a 10.8 % growth by 2028, driven by the demand for composites across industries looking for materials with superior performance at reduced weight and cost. This blog explores how advanced material analysis can enhance R&D and manufacturing processes in the composites market, ultimately leading to financial savings and increased efficiency.
DetailsPolymers are everywhere, from components making up the electronic device you’re reading this on to life-saving medical devices, energy efficient solar panels, and lightweight aero or auto components. Material scientists and engineers continue to improve high-performance polymers for strength, durability, and stability under demanding applications.
DetailsWe expect a lot from our composites: rocket materials need to endure the heat of takeoff, wind turbines must withstand high wind gusts, and sneakers are expected to be durable and supportive on long runs. How do experts develop composites tailored to such specific uses and verify their properties?
DetailsWhat are bioplastics? How can plastic manufacturers use them to improve the environmental impact of their products? With so many emerging green technologies, producers and consumers need to differentiate between greenwashing1 and genuine advancements. Furthermore, if a new development is deemed environmentally beneficial, all stages of the plastics supply chain, especially converters, must then learn how to incorporate the new technology without undermining their process or products.
DetailsIn the world of paints, inks and coatings, a single formulation error can make the difference between a flawless finish and a costly mistake. Rheology is the unsung hero that transforms coatings from a simple mixture into a precisely engineered material that meets the most demanding performance requirements.
DetailsOur world is brimming with viscoelastic materials: The dough you knead before baking a fresh loaf, the Silly Putty your toddler slaps against the wall, the rubber gaskets that create an airtight seal on an airplane door. Testing those materials by applying controlled deformations (strains) or forces (stresses) at various timescales, temperatures, and/or humidities allows for the optimization of properties and ensures durability and safety.
DetailsFrom lightweight laptops to cross-country EV driving, countless applications require increasing lithium-ion batteries’ energy density and performance. Since battery electrodes directly contribute to these aspects of battery function, electrodes and their components are of particular interest to battery researchers seeking to advance technology to the next level. Battery slurry processing is also a key step of manufacturing, offering significant opportunities to increase efficiency while reducing cost.
DetailsAs lithium-ion battery technology evolves, reducing production costs has become a top priority for manufacturers and researchers alike. Lower costs not only make batteries more accessible for consumer electronics and electric vehicles but also enhance the viability of renewable energy storage solutions like solar and wind.
DetailsSuccessful additive manufacturing products depend upon your materials’ properties and behaviors. Rheology provides valuable information for safe, efficient, and reproducible polymer manufacturing.
DetailsRheology is a notoriously complex field, combining mathematics and physics to characterize materials. For inexperienced users, rheology can seem like a massive challenge. Luckily, new technology simplifies rheology down to its core so you can get essential measurements without difficult training, measurements, or calculations.
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