Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This equipment grant application is for the purchase of a GPC system from Malvern Instruments, Inc.. for analyzing molecular weight and its distributions for various polymers we are developing. This GPC has a number of unique features compared to other GPCs. It has four detectors to ensure accurate results and wide temperature operational range, which is especially useful when the solubility of a sample is not high in the eluting solvent. Furthermore, it has low angle light scattering which facilitates the extrapolation of molecular weight with a higher accuracy. The research to be supported by this requested equipment includes various ongoing research projects within the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo. A few ongoing research programs are named here as examples: Development of Advanced Rubber Materials/Technology, Upgrading of Oilsands Bitumen, Development of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology. These research programs are supported by NSERC/Industrial Research Chair projects, NSERC Discovery Grant projects or industrial projects. These projects are at the frontier of the respective research fields. The realization of these projects will make significant contributions to both academic and commercial aspects of these research areas. An instrument, such as the requested GPC, for analyzing molecular weight is essential. The purchase of such equipment will enhance the research tools and training facilities in the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Waterloo. The success of these research programs and the training of high quality personnel will be beneficial to high-tech development and economic prosperity of Canada.