Materials and Transformation Processes
Materials
The Materials Research Group develops theoretical and experimental studies in material science and engineering. Research involves the participation of international research partners.
The Group works in close relationship with LEMAT (Laboratory for testing and metrology of materials), which is a service laboratory dedicated not only to research but also to solving industrial needs. The Group also host CIDNA (the Center for the Development and Research in Nanotechnology), which research is focused in rising up the basic knowledge of materials at nano and micro levels.
The theoretical work is dedicate to the modeling at atomistic level applying quantum mechanics and mainly Density Functional Theory which is one of the most applied tools to understand materials at such levels.
Ceramics
One of the main aims of the research perfomed is studying zeolite and clay based-materials in order to improve our understanding of the potential uses of natural resources located around Guayaquil, as well as the coastal region.
Current studies focus on natural zeolites and theirs usages, montmorillonite clays and their usages, cement-based materials and their characterization and their evolution over time. We are currently working in topics related to improvement of performance and durability of the solid materials.
Future research will involve Ab initio studies of catalytic material based on zeolites and its relationship with experimental results. Inorganic Polymers: their synthesis, properties and applications and clay-based materials applied in polymeric matrix.
Polymers
Polymer Nanocomposite
Research is focused in understanding the role and characteristic of inorganic particles and its influence on polymer matrix properties. Molecular behavior of nanomaterials and macroscopic properties are correlated to develop new materials. Volatile corrosion inhibitors have been incorporated in polymer nanocomposite matrix to develop new kind of coating and thermoplastics applications. We have access to several preparation and characterization of thermoplastics and thermosetting nanocomposite from films to structure applications.
Corrosion Protection by Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VpCI)
Research is performed to analyze the effects of volatile corrosion inhibitors in concrete and coating durability. VpCI are incorporated in nanocomposite films to modify molecular properties of inorgacnic nanomateriales and improve nanocomposite coatings. Molecular behaviour of VpCI are studied in concrete and polymer matrix and its ability to increase corrosion resistance of a steel surface. World class Characterization equipments used are theses research are: XRD, SEM, TGA, DSC, FTIR (Mid and Near-IR) and UV spectroscopy.
Plastics Product Design
Relation between Material-Procesing-Performance in Plastics have been realted. For the design of products this corralation is a major interest. We incorporate the characterization & evaluation of plastic materials and plastics parts or products design. Design Process, Material Selection (Mechanical Behavoir of Plastics) and Structural Design consideration in plastic parts are integrated in Design for Manufacturability. We have access to a Plastics Proccesing Lab which integrates: Plastic material analsys, plactics processing (extrusion , inyection and compounding) and plasctis testing (Mechanical and Thermal Anlysis).
People
Cecilia Paredes, PhD
Mauricio Cornejo, PhD-c
Andres Rigail, PhD-c
Javier Bermúdez
Rodrigo Perugachi