1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Research + Consulting services
  3. Research areas
  4. Adhesive Technology
See table of contents See table of contents

Adhesive Technology

We develop synthetic and natural adhesive systems for use in load-bearing and non-load-bearing applications in the composite, wood, and furniture sectors as well as in the construction industry.

Our key focus areas include the substitution of synthetic raw materials with natural and bio-based polymers, the development of low-emission adhesives; and the characterisation of their chemical and mechanical properties Cocoboard project

Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH

We research, develop and optimise innovative and sustainable materials for the timber and construction industries, supporting you from the initial idea through to the finished marketable product.

Service portfolio

We provide tailored adhesive solutions for conventional and non-conventional applications. We offer the following services:

  • Research projects commissioned by companies and institutions
  • Technology developments tailored to the size of the company (from micro-enterprises to industrial companies)
  • Support with applying for research funding from national and international funding organisations (including Innosuisse, FOEN, Horizon 2020, M-ERA.NET)
  • Adhesive testing services
  • Composite wood technology services

We are heavily involved in teaching and continuing education. We supervise students’ projects and theses. We also frequently engage master’s students as assistants in research projects. In this way, we contribute to training the experts of the future.

We have connections with the following academic programmes and courses of continuing education:

We aim to transfer all non-confidential research into practice. To this end, we hold events and lectures, write specialist articles, conduct tours, organise workshops, and present our results at trade fairs.

Areas of expertise

Our research expertise covers the development, characterisation and application of adhesive systems.

Our areas of expertise include:

  • The development and optimisation of synthetic, natural and bio-based adhesive systems
  • Chemical and mechanical characterisation of adhesive properties
  • Characterisation of adhesive hardening processes
  • Development of low-emission adhesives
  • Modelling of adhesive joints
  • Analysis of adhesion and cohesion properties
  • Innovative joining technologies, such as linear friction welding (joining of wood without the use of adhesives)

 


Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH

Adhesive technology is one of the key focus areas of the Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH. At the IWH, we develop and optimise multifunctional wood and composite materials as well as innovative products for the wood and construction industries with the emphasis on sustainable use of resources.

Other key focus areas include:

Infrastructure

Our adhesive technologies laboratory enables us to carry out a wide range of tests. The following equipment is available to us:

  • Automated bonding evaluation system (ABES)
  • Device for calculating setting times (gel timer)
  • Contact angle measuring device
  • Lab presses (up to 250°C)
  • Microscope for digital image capture
  • Autoclaves and dryers for delamination tests
  • Universal testing machines for pressure, tensile, shear and bending tests (force range 0–250kN)
  • Climatic chamber for the universal testing machine -80°C to +250°C
  • Micro-tensile testing machine for viscoelastic properties determination
  • Climate controlled testing lab
  • A range of climatic chambers and rooms
  • Video extensometer for the universal testing machine
  • Special software for recording and evaluating measurements

Contact

We offer many different collaboration options. I will be happy to answer your questions and look forward to hearing from you:

Prof. Dr. Frédéric Pichelin

  • Leiter Bereich FDW
  • +41 32 344 03 42
  • Show e-mail