PROJECT OJECTIVES:

  • Curing of thick samples and samples buried in dark areas (e.g., in opaque containers, between two metallic joints, composites with a high amount of light-absorbing fillers) with low energy consumption by photoinitiated frontal polymerisation.
  • Optimization of the process considering thermal effects, reaction mechanism, type of formulation, and environment and process conditions, also supported by the process modelling (academic secondment).
  • Full characterisation of the photocured materials, in view of their application as adhesives.
  • Obtaining of at least one material/process that is more sustainable than the selected benchmark and has comparable performances.

EXPECTED RESULTS:

  • Protocols for the preparation and characterisation of materials obtained by photopolymerisation without direct irradiation.
  • Photocured thick samples and samples buried in dark areas with suitable thermo-mechanical properties for their application.
  • Setting of an appropriate sustainability metrics, and sustainability assessment of the new materials.
  • Trained researcher expert on photoinitiated frontal polymerisation with expertise in the monitoring of chemical processes and their modelling, also acquired during secondments.

PLANNED SECONDMENTS:

  • Host 1: Imperial (UK), supervisor: J. Cabral, timing: month 25, length: 6 months. Purpose: monitoring of the photopolymerisation processes and its modelling; introduction to machine learning in physical-chemistry.
  • Host 2: LOGITECH (CH), supervisor: J. M. Chardon, timing: month 36, length: 3 months. Purpose: application of the developed adhesive formulations in device fabrication and assembling.

*Enrolment in Doctoral degree: at POLITO. Dr. A. Vitale will act as supervisor and Dr. M. Quaglio as co-supervisor.