Polymer Engineering, University of Bayreuth

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 On March 26, the Department of Polymer Engineering will be represented by several team members at the European Coatings Show in Nuremberg! This leading trade fair for paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants offers a great opportunity to exchange ideas about the latest innovations in the industry. We are looking forward to exciting discussions with experts, companies and researchers. Will you be there too? Let's network and discuss the latest trends in polymer and coating technology! 📍 Meet us on March 26 in Nuremberg! 💬 Write to us if you would like to exchange ideas #PolymerEngineering #Coatings #Networking #Innovation

Sustainable Composites in Focus – Meet Us at JEC World 2024! 🌍🚀 From March 4 to 6, 2024, we are exhibiting at #JEC World in Paris, together with the Polymer Engineering, University of Bayreuth. Join us at the Composites United e.V. Pavilion (Hall 6, Booth R24) to explore our latest innovations in sustainable composite materials. ♻ Our Focus: Sustainable Materials & Energy-Efficient Processing 🔹 Material Innovations: Bio-based thermosets, vitrimer resins & natural fiber prepreg systems 🔹 Recycling & Resource Efficiency: Lightweight foam cores from renewable or recyclable sources 🔹 Energy-Efficient Manufacturing: UV curing & advanced joining technologies for greener production 🔹 Digital Technologies: Optimizing material development & sustainability assessment through Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) As a #research institute dedicated to innovative #materials and #sustainable #manufacturing, we are committed to shaping the future of composites with efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solutions. While polymer composites continue to gain traction, the demand for sustainability and economic viability is increasing – and this is exactly where our work comes in. Let’s shape the future of composites together – more sustainable, more efficient, more innovative. We look forward to connecting! #JECWorld2024 #SustainableComposites #Innovation #GreenMaterials #FutureOfComposites #NeueMaterialienBayreuth #PolymerEngineering #CompositesUnited #UniversityBayreuth

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 🔥 Modern fast-curing epoxy resins make it possible to reduce cycle times in processes such as resin infusion or even enable extrusion-based additive manufacturing. Since the introduction of the REACH regulation, it has become more difficult to ensure satisfactory flame retardancy, as known flame retardants such as halogenides are no longer an option. Alternative flame retardants such as phosphor-based ones promise great potential here, but often the properties such as mechanics, thermal behavior and flame retardancy are considered in isolation. Our latest publication in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science provides a coherent insight into the interactions of these three fields and can serve as a first point of reference in the future when estimating the effect of a loading quantity of a commercial flame retardant on an amine-fast-curing epoxy resin. Check it out under: https://lnkd.in/erm6TmUD We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie for the funding and IABG as the project sponsor.

𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 Research on polymer blends usually involves polymers selection, compatibilization, and processing parameters determination. These lead to the formation of a wide spectrum of blends and morphologies to select for targeted applications. Therefore, high resources demand and complex systems evaluations need to be performed. At the Polymer Engineering department of Bayreuth University, we would like to use every tool available to enhance our research beyond. 🔬 As part of the CRC 1585: Multitrans (Jacek Walkowiak) we are developing a methodology capable to combine experimental image analysis with machine learning (ML) procedures to get specific a morphology of polymer blends to improve transport properties through interconnected networks. 🤖 The ideal compositional and processing parameters windows, to obtain such morphologies, are determined through this innovative combination of experience, experimentation, and ML. The last one demonstrates to be a powerful tool, supporting the available research techniques in the field.📎 As researchers, this gives us the opportunity, not only to reduce the number of experiments but also to explore new alternatives and interactions with our materials. Our next step is to aggregate functional fillers to find a percolation threshold for transportation properties of our polymeric nanocomposites. 🎯 Would you like to apply this innovative approach to your trials? Let´s connect! #Polymerblends #FunctionalConductiveNanocomposites #PolymerEngineering #MachineLearning #ExperimentalAnalysis #BayesianOptimization

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬! Did you know epoxy glass fiber composites can help trains shed 12–14% of their weight—cutting down on fuel and boosting efficiency? While that’s great news, ensuring these materials meet strict fire safety standards can be a challenge. The use of non-halogenated flame retardants (FRs) in the resin during vaccum infusion and injection moulding heightens the challenge where processing, storage stability, and fire safety parameters must be balanced. As part of the “FS-Inject” project, supported by ZIM (Zentrale Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand), the Polymer Engineering department at the University of Bayreuth is teaming up with MD Composites Technology GmbH and Schill+Seilacher "Struktol" GmbH to develop flame-retardant composite structures for railway applications. Using machine learning to fine-tune non-halogenated flame retardant additive selection, we aim to adapt both the manufacturing process and the fire performance of these advanced materials. The objective? Safer, lighter, and more efficient train components that can keep passengers protected—and the environment healthier. Stay tuned as we test, tweak, and transform rail travel through next-gen materials and data-driven solutions! #FireSafety #CompositeMaterials #MachineLearning #MaterialScience #SustainableTransport

𝐉𝐄𝐂 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 – 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫! 🚀 JEC World 2025, the leading international trade fair for composite materials, hosted by the JEC Group from 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟒-𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬, is fast approaching. The Department of Polymer Engineering at the University of Bayreuth, in collaboration with our partner Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH, will be presenting their latest advancements in composite materials and processing technologies at the Composites United pavilion (𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟔, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝟐𝟒). This year’s focus is on sustainable materials and energy-efficient processing for composite structures, leveraging digital technologies. The increasing demand for polymer composites, driven by the need for lightweight solutions, also presents challenges—such as the availability of recyclable and renewable materials and the energy-intensive nature of processing methods. Our team is addressing these issues with innovative material concepts and optimized manufacturing techniques. If you are interested in discussing the future of composites and exploring our latest developments, we look forward to welcoming you at our booth! #JEC2025 #Composites #Sustainability #Innovation #CompositesUnited

🚀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲! 🚀 We’ve just added a new Vacuum-assisted SpeedmixerTM to our lab, and it’s a game-changer! This advanced mixer allows us to mix larger quantities (max. 800 g) of resin and fillers with zero bubble formation, ensuring perfectly homogeneous, high-quality mixtures every time. Why does this matter? ✅ Improved material consistency ✅ Faster and more efficient mixing ✅ No need for manual degassing ✅ Scalable for larger formulations Whether you're working with composites, adhesives, or advanced coatings, achieving air-free and uniformly mixed materials is critical. We’re excited about the possibilities this brings to our research projects and production processes! The device was funded by the public project "NewPreg (FKZ: 20Q2227C)" a VI-3 project funded by Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK). For more detailed technical specifications of the new device, check out our website! Have you used a Vacuum-assisted SpeedmixerTM in your work? We’d love to hear about your experience! 👇 #Innovation #MaterialScience #VacuumMixing #Reasearch #Resins #Composites

𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 🎉 We are proud to present the work of our colleague Karim Ali Shah in the field of PA foams using machine learning. Take a look and see how machine learning can help in the search for optimal processing parameters!

We are exited to start the project “BioHybrid” together with our project partner TITK e.V.!   Thank you vey MD Composites Technology GmbH Technology for highlighting our Kick-off event.

🚀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬-𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! We’re thrilled to announce the installation of our brand-new hot press system, a state-of-the-art setup that got an update and is now taking our research and innovation to the next level! 💡 This advanced system supports a broad range of applications, from curing (bio-based) resins to small-scale laminate and sandwich structure preparation. The fully digital and programmable press control unit features: - 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 for complex multi-step heating cycles  - 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 throughout the entire process cycle  - 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 for processing highly demanding neat resins This cutting-edge setup not only reinforces our commitment to advanced material solutions but also aligns with our focus on digitalization and data-driven monitoring.  We’re excited to explore the endless possibilities this innovation unlocks for wind turbines, e-mobility, and lightweight construction. Stay tuned for more updates! #PolymerEngineering #Digitalisation #ResinDevelopment #CompositeProcessing #AdvancedMaterials