1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Research + Consulting services
  3. Research areas
  4. Polymer Chemistry
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Polymer Chemistry

With sustainability in mind, we develop and optimise polymer-based products for use in adhesives and in wet and powder paints.

To foster sustainability, we aim to use as many bio-based raw materials in the synthesis of our products as possible. In this context, we have specialised in enhancing lignin and tannin.

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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 support you with the development and optimisation of polymer-based products for use in adhesives and wet and powder paints. We provide 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)
  • Testing services for chemistry and structural analysis

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 activities are based on extensive knowledge of polymer chemistry and of organic and analytical chemistry, combined with profound understanding of the materials science of our end products.

Our areas of expertise include:

  • Synthesis of new adhesive systems
  • Chromatograph with UV/RID detection (HPLC /GPC), GC gas chromatographs with MS and FID detection (GC/MS), viscometer, ABES, dynamic difference calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR)
  • Formulation of wet and powder paints
  • Enhancement of bio-based products, such as lignin, tannin or 5-HMF
  • Development of methods for the chemically covalent modification of wood and wood-based materials

 

 

Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH

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

Other key focus areas are:

Infrastructure

We have a very well-equipped chemistry laboratory for the professional performance of services and development mandates:

  • Fume cupboards for organic synthesis
  • UV/VIS spectrometer
  • IR spectrometer
  • NIR spectrometer
  • Particle size analyser (zetasizer)
  • Fully automated preparative liquid chromatograph
  • HPLC/GPC high pressure liquid chromatograph with UV/RID detection
  • GC gas chromatographs with MS and FID detection
  • Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC)
  • Thermo-gravimetric analysis system (TGA)
  • Rotational viscometer
  • Tensiometer
  • Contact angle measuring device
  • Atomic force microscope
  • pH meter
  • Autoclaves, 250 ml to 10 l

Contact

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

Prof. Dr. Reto Frei

  • Leiter Fachbereich Holz
  • +41 32 344 03 81
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