Research & Projects
With respect to research, the Chair of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials is active both on a fundamental level and on a technological level. Whilst fundamental research aims at the study of new polymeric materials and processes, technological research is in many cases being conducted together with industrial companies and non-university research organizations such as the Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL) see www.pccl.at.
Multidisciplinary approaches, a strong interaction with polymer engineering, and a vivid collaboration with international research partners are the cornerstones of our research. The early involvement of students (bachelor and master level) in research projects is another element of our research policy, and significantly contributes to the academic education and professional experience of young engineers.
The main research fields of the chair of Chemistry of Polymeric Materials are:

Photochemistry of polymers
Photochemistry of polymers
This research field aims at the modulation of the properties of polymeric materials by the use of UV light. Light is employed to induce the polymerization of selected monomers, to crosslink e.g. elastomeric materials and to achieve the functionalization of surfaces.
Surface functionalization of polymeric, organic and inorganic materials

Surface functionalization of polymeric, organic and inorganic materials
The surface modifation of polymers plays an important part in the enhancement of the performance of basic polymers and offers new approaches toward the development of tailored materials for specific applications. Whilst the activation of polymer surfaces by corona and plasma treatments is a well established technique (and is performed in our labs as a standard method), the functionalization of functional polymer surfaces with (nano)particles is pursued on a scientific level.
Molecular characterization of polymers
Molecular characterization of polymers
Plastic materials mainly consist of polymers (macromolecules) and a set of additives, which modify, influence, and retain the end-use properties of the plastics.
The mechanical useful properties (e.g. tensile strength, hardness, modulus, impact strength) are mainly influenced by the composition and phase structure of the polymers. Therefore, an understanding of the structure-property relationship is necessary for the development of new polymers with defined characteristics
Projects
Projects
In the following, a selection of running projects which are led by members of the staff of the chair, is given. Projects, that are run by the Polymer Competence Center Leoben PCCL in cooperation with our chair, are indicated by (PCCL).
Christian Doppler Laboratory (CDL) for Functional and Polymer Based Inkjet Inks
Head of the laboratory: Assoc.-Prof. Dr. T. Griesser
Funded by: CDG
Company partner: DURST Phototechnik DIT GmbH
Runtime: 01/2012 – 12/2017
Interfacial adhesion in printed circuit boards (PCCL)
Company partner: AT&S and Atotech
Runtime: 01/2012 – 12/2016
Functional Polymer Composites (PCCL)
Funded by: Comet
Runtime: 01/2013 - 12/2016
Molekulare Beschichtungen von Formen und Werkzeugen für die Kunststoffverarbeitung
Funded by: Forschungsgesellschaft Verfahrenstechnik e.V. , AIF
Partner: Universität Paderborn
Runtime: 12/2013 - 03/2016
Advanced elastomer composites via surface functionalization techniques (PCCL)
Funded by: Comet
Company partner: Semperit Technische Produkte
Runtime: 01/2014 - 12/2016
Conduktive Composite Elastomers for Low-cost Conformable Organic Sensors - CELCOS
Funded by: FFG
Company partner: AT&S, Joanneum Research, Human Research
Runtime: 04/2015 - 03/2018
Biokompatible Harze für den 3D-Druck von kieferorthopädischen Zahnschienen
Funded by: Austria Wirtschaftsservice
Partner: Med Uni Graz
Runtime: 01/2016 - 09/2017
Neuartige Elastomerwerkstoffe auf Basis auf Nanocompositen
Funded by: FFG Bridge
Runtime: 01/2014 - 12/2016
Polymer materials with tunable barrier properties (PCCL)
Funded by: Comet
Runtime: 01/2014 - 12/2016
Entwicklung von vernetzten Polyolefinschäumen mit multifunktionellen Dämmverhalten
Funded by: FFG Bridge
Runtime: 02/2016 - 01/2019