Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Chemical Product Design
Chemical Product Design is the science and technology that enables one to obtain the desired end-use properties that every formulated chemical product requires if it is to have any commercial value: Molecules have little utility unless they are formulated into valuable end-products such as foods, medicines, coatings, cosmetics, packaging materials, inks, crop protection agents, and many other functional items that are essential to modern life. Chemical product design is built on the scientific principles of phase equilibrium thermodynamics, solutions, surface chemistry, colloids, emulsions and suspensions, mixing technology, etc. In practice it is important to know how these principles are connected to desirable end-use properties, e.g. texture, shelf life, weather resistance, adhesion, corrosion, biodegradability, etc. Current research projects at UP consider:
• Optimization of product formulations using novel mixture models for experimental design and the correlation of physical properties
• Nanoclays as functional additives that enhance fire resistance and mechanical properties, or provide controlled release via tuneable barrier properties.
• Nano-emulsion technology.
Target products include mosquito repellent lotions, stabilizers and flame retardants for polymers and long-life mosquito netting that incorporates insecticides in the fibre polymer
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