Institute of Polymer Materials of Riga Technical University

Research
Education
Smart materials & additive manufacturing
Life & physical sciences

Institute of Polymer Materials (IPM) is one of the research institutions of Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry (FMSAC) at Riga Technical University. IPM consists of

  • Institute of Polymer Materials, dealing with fundamental and applied research,
  • Department of Polymer Materials Technology, responsible for study process within accredited study programs on Materials Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Technology and others (in co-operation with other institutes of  FMSAC,
  • ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Polymer Materials Testing  Laboratory, dealing with quality testing for industry.

TECHNOLOGIES AND COMPETENCES

Expertise of IPM covers development of 

  • functionalization and modification techniques of micro- and nanofillers (including radiation modification),
  • manufacturing technologies of polymer micro-, nano- and hybrid composites,
  •  biobased and/or biodegradable and/or recycled polymers and industrial byproducts based materials, 
  • UV curable composite formulations for additive manufacturing,
  • characterization of structural, rheological, mechanical, thermal, dielectric/electrical and barrier properties of broad range of materials before and after accelerated ageing,
  • quality testing and technical consultations.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN SPACE

  • EMI shielding composite materials
  • Ageing in harsh environments, recycling and reuse of materials
  • Additive manufacturing of polymers and composites
  • Thermal management materials
  • Thermoelectric composite materials

EQUIPMENT

  • Thermal analysis equipment (DSC, TGA-FTIR, TGA-GC-MS, TMA, DMTA, laser flash thermal disffusity analyser etc); broadband dielectric spectrometer, 4 point probe and other
  • Thermal processing equipment (compounding, extrusion processing, injection moulding); additive manufacturing (FFF, SLS)

MAJOR SPACE PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Research on the development of polymer composites, nanocomposites and biobased composites within multiple EU, bilateral and national projects.
  • Award for the best scientific achievements in 2021 by Latvian Academy of Sciences for research on conversion of biomass waste into sustainable bioplastic products.
  • Award for the best scientific achievements in 2021 by Latvian Academy of Sciences for research on modified bitumen binders and asphalt concrete compositions with high performance characteristics.
  • Applied Research on Innovative Polymer Based Adhesive Systems has been included among Top achievements of Latvian science in 2017

CURRENT AND TARGET PARTNERSHIP

  • Advanced structure characterisation techniques
  • Sources of high energy irradiation
Total employees13
Employees in space5
Turnover290 000 EUR
3/7 Paula Valdena street, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia
29165769
Contact persons: Janis Zicans