McMaster University invites qualified suppliers to submit proposals for the supply of a mechanical spectrometer, better known as a parallel plate rheometer, to the Department of Chemical Engineering in accordance with the terms of this Proposal Call. Proponents are requested to provide a user-friendly device that functions as both photo rheometer and standard rheometer, which will be used to train graduate students and post-docs in the preparation and characterization of molecularly controlled soft materials. The photo rheometer is to be housed in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and will be available to researchers in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and other Departments in the University.
The requested instrument, a rheometer, studies polymers by melt deformation and is often the only means to study these materials due to their inability to be dissolved into solvents for use in other characterization instruments. A photo-rheometer combines melt deformational analysis with the capacity to grow or modify polymer within the instrument by initiating light-sensitive reactants.
A Proposal must include, or conform with, the following Mandatory Requirements:
- Capable of both controlled stress and strain measurements.
- Suitable for a range of viscosity from 0.001 Pa-s to 10000 Pa-s (torque between 0.00002 mNm to 200 mNm)
- Normal force range of 0.01-50 N; minimum resolution of 1 mN.
- Parallel plate and cone-and-plate attachments
- Operate on an air bearing, for pressures not exceeding 90 psi.
- Oscillatory frequency range of at least 0.00001 rad/s to 100 rad/s; equipped with a low inertia measuring head (ideally less than 100 μNms2).
- Cover a temperature range from at least 20 to 300 oC.
- A recirculating cooler for temperature sweep studies.
- Attachments suitable for ultraviolet/visual light curing studies at room temperature, including plates, a light source, fiber optics and filters for the wavelength range of at least 320-380 nm.
- Include ‘smart’ attachments which the software will immediately recognize and configure for use.
- CSA certified, or equivalent
