FIELDS OF
RESEARCH |
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Studies on
crystallization, phase transition, surface morphology and mechanical,
micromechanical, thermal, electrical and other properties of soft condensed
matters (such as polymeric, organic and biological substances, viz. synthetic
and natural polymers, polymer blends and composites, polymer hydrogels, liquid
crystalline materials, etc.).
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EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTS USED
Fabrication Techniques
1.
Preparation of
polymeric materials with gradient properties using the method of Temperature
Slope Crystallization (TSC).
2.
Preparation
of solution grown crystals.
3.
Production of
cold- and hot-drawn samples of crystalline and amorphous polymers, Natural and
synthetic rubbers;
4.
Production of
solution and melt cast blends;
5.
Preparation
of hot- and cold rolled samples of polymers;
6.
Preparation
of hydrogels by radiation crosslinked method for medical applications;
7.
Fabrication
of bioplastics from renewable resources;
8.
Synthesis of
nanomaterials;
9.
Fabrication
of polymeric nanocomposites with nanofiller reinforcement;
10.
Fabrication
and development of polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers and
additives;
11.
Modification
of natural fibers by chemical treatments and nanoparticle impregnation.
12.
Ultra-sonication
of natural fibers
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Characterizing
Techniques
1.
Calorimetric
studies using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) or Differential thermal
Analyzer (DTA) and Thermal analyses by TGA, TMA, DMA etc.
2.
Study of
crystal structure by both X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and neutron scattering (NS)
methods; Dynamic simultaneous wide- and small- angle x-ray scattering studies
using Synchrotron Radiation.
3.
Measurement
of electrical/dielectric properties.
4.
Optical
Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Field
Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.
5.
Microhardness
measurements of polymers in situ using a dynamic microindentation tester.
6.
Mechanical
and Dynamic mechanical tests.
7.
UV-visible
spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Atomic absorption
spectroscopy, etc.
8.
Contact
angle, Density, Melt flow index, viscosity etc. measurements.