Research

RESEARCH

Polymer and Coatings Program scientists are involved in a number of research projects. Some of these projects are listed below. Collaboration is being sought for initiating new research projects related to both traditional and non-traditional polymer and coatings areas within the new Masters program.

• Development of novel urethane elastomers for medical applications;
  Guidant Corporation.
  
• Accelerated weathering of marble and resin compatability through conservation of Nine Muses Roman Sarcophagus;
  CA Department of Parks and Recreation.
  
• Development of an advanced, lightweight, mesh and polymer-based splinting system for immobilization of fractures in tactical environments;
  US Army.
  
• Zero VOC preparation of polystyrene-co-methyl methacrylate using Ionic solvents.
  
• Effects of functional particles on coating performance;
  HiTech Vitroco.
  
• Interactions of surfactants and polymeric surfactants.
  
• Polyelectrolyte and protein adsorption studies monitered via ATR/FTIR, QCM, and AFM.
  
• Atomic force microscopy of thin films.
  
• Membrane and surfactant biophysics.
  
• Liquid/Liquid interfacial studies.
  
• Determination of exempt solvents by solid-phase microextraction;
  ASTM D6438.
  
• Validation of EPA Method 311 on HAP - Round Robin Testing
  
• ASTM VOC method development:
  
  • Standard test method for specifiaction of the volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in solvent-based aerosol paints by gas chromatography.
    
  • Standard test method for specifiaction of the volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in water-based aerosol paints by gas chromatography.
    ASTM D6886-03
    
  • Standard test method for specifiaction of the volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in low VOC water-based architectural coatings by gas chromatography.
    
  • Standard test method for analysis of powder coatings (method under development).
    
  • Correlation of solids content and hiding as it relates to calculation of VOC content in architectural coatings, funded by California Air Resources Board (CARB), June 2002.