The Department of Engineering at Winona State University offers a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Composite Materials Engineering. Composites are lightweight materials which exhibit both high strength and stiffness and are fabricated by embedding reinforcing fibers into a polymeric, ceramic, or metal matrix. The aim of this project is to establish polymer synthesis and molecular weight characterization capabilities which are currently absent in this program. To achieve this objective, we are requesting the purchase of a glass reactor, a high pressure metal reactor, two viscometers, and a high temperature gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) unit. These instruments will be used in "hands on" polymer and engineering laboratory instruction, and for independent faculty-student research on synthesis and characterization of advanced polymeric materials for use as matrices in composite structures. The acquisition of this equipment plays a critical role in the integration of synthesis laboratory experience into the chemistry and composite materials engineering curricula.
