Process Spectroscopy:

Process spectroscopy currently offers the only route to obtaining molecular specific material information during processing. Spectroscopic techniques (part of process analytical testing) are used extensively in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, typically in less challenging environments (e.g. ambient temperature and pressure, lower viscosity fluids) than those encountered in polymer processing. Spectroscopic equipment has traditionally been expensive and the results difficult to interpret with need for calibration, but recent advances in technology have driven the cost and complexity of systems down to affordable levels; some portable units (of limited capability) are now commercially available for less than £10k. At-process spectroscopy is of current interest to raw materials manufacturers, high grade compounders, additives manufacturers, high level processors, equipment suppliers.

The IRC laboratories have a wide range of process spectroscopy systems including UV fluorescence, mid and near Infra-red, Raman and polarised Raman. The IRC at Bradford has strong collaborative links with leading research groups (Dresden University, Germany, Clemson, USA and Akron, USA) and equipment suppliers such as Kaiser (Raman), Perkin Elmer (UV), Ocean Optics (UV, Raman, IR) and Hamilton Sundstrand (MIR, NIR, Raman).

The The process spectroscopy research in this programme is split into 4 areas:

1. Monitoring residence time and degradation
2. Monitoring colour
3. Measurement of melt temperature using temperature-sensitive fluorescing dyes
4. Measurement of anisotropy and orientation