Chemistry for sustainable building materials

The two microscopes in the BX53M series from Olympus offer a wide range of examination options thanks to their extensive equipment. They enable material analyses with a magnification of up to 50x in bright or dark field as well as under fluorescent light or a polarisation filter. In addition, panoramic and EFI images can be taken automatically with the motorised stage, ensuring efficient and precise documentation of samples.

We have purchased a Prusa MK4 3D printer for the reproducible and high-quality production of prototypes and samples from our bio-based materials. With its high-precision printing technology and support for various materials, it enables the realisation of complex designs and detailed structures – ideal for our research projects.

The Prusa MK4 ensures consistent printing results thanks to its precise control and automatic calibration. This opens up new possibilities for the development and testing of innovative bio-based materials and devices.

The Philips XL-30 scanning electron microscope enables our research group to perform precise and advanced material analyses. It utilises field emission technology to create high-resolution images of samples, while offering the ability to analyse materials under realistic environmental conditions, such as increased humidity. This flexibility is particularly valuable for analysing complex building materials and their reactions in different environments.

We have put a Stepcraft M.1000 CNC milling machine into operation in order to produce test specimens and samples from our bio-based materials in a reproducible and high-quality manner. With a generous working area of 679 × 1044 mm², it enables the precise machining of a wide range of materials and opens up new possibilities for our research projects.

Thanks to the CNC milling machine, we can precisely realise complex geometries and individual designs – an important step towards comprehensively testing the performance and applicability of our bio-based materials.

The Büchi S-300 mini spray dryer can be used to produce powders with a defined particle size from aqueous or organic solutions and dispersions. The efficiency and reproducibility of the S-300 offer the working group the opportunity to advance basic research and application-orientated projects in equal measure.

The physical and chemical properties of materials can be modified in a targeted manner through the simultaneous application of temperature and pressure. Our Collin type 300 P heating press, which operates at temperatures of up to 300 °C and pressures of up to 300 kN, is particularly suitable for the precise processing and compression of materials such as thermoplastics, bonding or for the production of composite materials. A variety of three-dimensional target geometries are possible.

To characterise and optimise the rheological properties of our materials, we have put the state-of-the-art MCR 102 rheometer from Anton Paar into operation. This precision instrument makes it possible to analyse the flow and deformation behaviour of a wide range of materials with the utmost accuracy.

Thanks to its outstanding measuring precision and versatile configuration options, the rheometer forms an ideal basis for the further development of our innovative material solutions. It helps us to precisely determine viscosity, yield points and elastic properties – essential for the development and processing of modern, sustainable materials.

We have commissioned a Haake kneader-extruder for the further development and precise processing of our bio-based materials. With its robust design and flexible configuration, it enables optimum mixing and extrusion of a wide range of material combinations. Torque guaranteed.

The Haake Kneader-Extruder offers excellent control over the process, which is particularly important for the development of new, sustainable building materials. Its adaptability allows us to efficiently test and further develop a wide variety of formulations.

To precisely analyse the thermal properties of our bio-based materials, we have purchased the TGA 4000 from PerkinElmer. This sophisticated device enables precise thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and provides valuable insights into the decomposition and stability of materials.

A particular highlight of the TGA 4000 is the optional IR coupling, which allows us to analyse the gases released during the analysis process in real time. This extension enables us to understand the chemical reactions and decomposition mechanisms even more precisely and to carry out further research.