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Analysis and characterization of interfaces and interphases
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The characterization challenge for polymeric and hybrid nanomaterials
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Characterization of polymer systems for personal care and drug delivery
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Analysis of combustion/thermal behaviour in polymers and nanocomposites
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Characterization of biopolymers in food & nutrition
1. Analysis and characterization of interfaces and interphases
Interfaces and interphases play a major role in all multicomponent materials irrespective of the type and the number of their components. These multicomponents range from polymer blends, inorganic/organic materials interface to dynamic systems involving living cells such as cell-material interface. Understanding and the ability to characterize the factors influencing interfacial interactions are key to progress in all multicomponent materials.
This symposium aims to bring together engineers, scientists and academics working in the area from fundamental studies of understanding interfacial interactions to engineering and characterization of such interfaces.
Topics include (but not limited to):
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Analysis and understanding of crucial interfacial interactions of multicomponents
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Characterization of these interfaces and interphases using new and emerging tools eg spectroscopic, chemical or any other techniques
2. The characterization challenge for polymeric and hybrid nanomaterials
Polymeric nanomaterials provide unique properties that arises from the organization of these system and hybrid nanomaterials are unique conjugates of organic/inorganic structures. These structures are used in many applications ranging from sports, energy, environmental to biomedical applications. This symposium aims to bring together scientists and engineers to exchange and discuss the latest ideas and trends related to the characterization of these materials with focus on: functional, morphological and understanding of structural/properties relationship for these materials. The tools can involve though not limited to electron microscopy, x-ray techniques (both synchrotron and lab based), spectroscopy, etc.
Topics include (but not limited to):
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Characterization of nanomaterials for energy, environmental, biomedical (labelling, sensing, etc), or electronics.
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New in-situ and operando techniques to understand mechanistic development and lifetime analysis of these materials.
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Characterization techniques for the development of new polymeric and hybrid nanomaterials
3. Characterization of polymer systems for personal care and drug delivery
From shampoos/conditioners to anti-aging creams to make-up, surfactants play a key role as delivery systems for skin care and decorative cosmetic products. There is also a wide range of polymeric systems involved in baby and feminine care sector. It is therefore essential for the scientific and industrial community in personal care and drug delivery sectors to test and understand the formulation and design of these systems to be used in cosmetics and pharma/cosmeceuticals.
This symposium aims to bring together engineers, scientists and academics working in the area of personal care and drug delivery to discuss about the latest methods and techniques for the testing/characterizations of systems in these areas to support the efficacies of the formulation and design for polymeric systems for personal care and pharma/cosmecuetuicals.
Topics include (but not limited to):
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Characterization of polymeric/surfactants/colloidal systems and their self-assembly behavior for personal care using x-ray, light scattering, microscopy, rheological or any other techniques
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Characterization of control release systems using spectroscopic, chemical or any other techniques
4. Analysis of combustion/thermal behaviour in polymers and nanocomposites
‘Combustion of polymeric materials’ is an important topic, not just from a scientific viewpoint, but also from a day-to-day living perspective as these materials form the core of our modern world. However, it is one of complex topics to understand and characterize as it involves simultaneous fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, and degradation chemistry. Therefore, the main aim of this symposium is to provide a platform for exchanging views from different perspectives like thermal, chemical and materials engineering along with polymer processing/chemistry and characterization tools to illustrate the exact mechanisms of decomposition.
Topics include (but not limited to):
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Characterization of flame retardant response of polymers and nanocomposites;
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Analysis of decomposition mechanisms using a combination of thermal and spectroscopic techniques;
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Characterization of the catalytic activity of nanoparticles and its effect on combustion response of polymers; and
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High temperature resistant polymeric materials.
5. Characterization of biopolymers in food & nutrition
Characterization of biopolymers in food & nutrition is a challenging task that requires non-standard sample preparation techniques and analysis techniques. The value of detailed analysis of food & nutrition polymers has been recognized and the interest in characterization methods is growing rapidly.
The characterization of biopolymers and modified biopolymers is a rapidly growing research area due to the growing interest in biobased products and modified food & nutrition, increasing the nutritional value and reducing risks of obesity. Sample preparation, for example controlled degradation of crosslinked biopolymers, in order to properly analyse the structure of the polymers is a challenging aspect of biopolymer characterization. Topics relating to different aspects of biopolymers characterization will be included.