Technical Expertise

The Rheology group carries its main activity within the Processing Studies Division of the Institute for Polymers and Composites IPC (http://ipc.uminho.pt/).

IPC is a Portuguese research Centre of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), hosted by the Polymer Engineering Department at Minho University. Its stated mission is to contribute to the advancement of the science and technology of polymers and composites, helping to generate added-value in the Portuguese plastics and mould-making industries, and to promote in society the awareness of the role and importance of polymeric materials.

At the end of 2009 there were 27 PhD holding members and 60 researchers and post-graduation students working at the Institute, which in that year were responsible for the publication of 59 articles in peer-reviewed journals (23 other were in press), 10 chapters of internationally edited books, and 6 PhD and 21 MSc theses. Additionally, 81 communications were presented in international scientific conferences, 1 article was published in Portuguese journals and 3 patents were granted to, or applied for by, members of IPC. This output is consistent with the trend of the last years, albeit with some variations from year to year. Concurrently, there was an undeniable consolidation of the international visibility of the members of the Institute, as a result of increasing editorial activities, of the consistent organization of scientific events and invitations for conferences and of the award of international prizes.

The Processing Studies Division at IPC pursues activities around three main research vectors: i) monitoring and control of processes; ii) development of proprietary technological solutions, and iii) resolution of engineering problems. Its scientific strategy is related to the forthcoming challenges in the field of materials processing and involves keeping the group at the forefront of the monitoring and control of processes, the optimisation of those processes and the development of new materials for specific applications. 

The Rheology group carries its main activity in the areas of Rheology for Macromolecular Technology (Complex polymer-based materials: polymer blends and composites), On-line monitoring and control of extrusion-based processes, Environmental Rheology and Processing, Extensional Rheology (Rupture behaviour of viscoelastic systems, Linear and non-linear viscoelasticity in extensional flows), Microrheology, Microfluidics and Microprocessing. Most of this work is performed in collaboration with other scientific and academic institutions worldwide and with companies, both national and international.