Inside the POLYMER NANO CENTRUM Laboratory – Part 1

When polymers meet nanotechnology, extraordinary things happen. Epoxies can be stronger, coatings can gain new functionalities, polycarbonates can have improved chemical resistance, and polymer production can be cheaper.

The challenge for polymer manufacturers is in connecting the technology with the products. How does a company with years of experience in creating well-manufactured polymer products take its first steps into enhancing them with nanomaterials?

At POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, researchers are turning goals into reality with the help of highly specialised equipment designed to analyse, test, and enhance polymers at the nanoscale.

Here is a behind the scenes look at the laboratory to show the types of tools in use—and how they help to develop practical solutions for polymer businesses.

1. Spectroscopy: Knowing What a Polymer is Made Of

Every polymer product starts with chemistry. To ensure the right performance is achieved means knowing exactly what’s inside. To do this, the POLYMER NANO CENTRUM lab is armed with Raman spectrometers, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, and UV-VIS spectrophotometers.

These instruments identify chemical bonds, detect contaminants, and monitor additives within a polymer. For example, if a filler is used to improve stiffness, these tools can verify whether they are well-dispersed and interacting as intended. If a batch from a supplier is underperforming, it can also confirm whether it meets specification—saving time, money, and potential product recalls.

Spectroscopy systems help identify chemical bonds and detect impurities in polymers. This can give manufacturers more control, as it ensures consistent, high-quality inputs, while also supporting nanomaterial additive development by revealing how additives, fillers, or surface treatments are interacting within a polymer matrix.

2. Microscopy: Revealing Structural Detail

The internal and surface structures of polymers play a critical role in their behaviour. Optical microscopes—equipped for bright field, dark field, and polarised light imaging—are utilised to visualise micro-scale features invisible to the naked eye.

This makes it possible to locate defects such as voids, phase separation, or contamination. If a coating fails prematurely, for instance, microscopy can pinpoint whether adhesion problems, surface impurities, or formulation incompatibilities are to blame. Polymer engineers are then able to target corrective action.

3. Thermal Analysis: Predicting Behaviour Under Heat

Many polymer applications—from packaging to automotive parts—face temperature extremes. With differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a polymer’s response to heat can be studied.

To further predict behaviour, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is employed to measure stiffness and damping over a range of temperatures and Capillary rheometry and Melt Flow Index (MFI) testing are used to evaluate flow properties during processing.

Once polymer manufacturers know under what conditions a polymer melts, crystallises, or starts to degrade, nanomaterials can be tailored to perform reliably in end-use environments, improve thermal stability, extend product lifespan, and reduce warranty claims.

What This Means for Polymer Improvement

These advanced tools are not just “nice to have”—they are problem-solvers. They provide insights that translate into tangible benefits: reduced costs, improved product reliability, and faster innovation cycles.

By understanding how polymers behave at the molecular and microscopic level, opportunities for improvement can be uncovered that would otherwise remain invisible. Subtle weaknesses can be identified and addressed, formulations can be adjusted for greater durability, and entirely new functionalities can be introduced.

At POLYMER NANO CENTRUM, these insights are applied to bring nanotechnology into practical for industry. Nanoparticles are incorporated to improve strength, reduce weight, or increase resistance to heat, chemicals, or UV radiation. Surfaces are modified to become hydrophobic, antimicrobial, or electrically conductive, and processing methods are refined to ensure these enhancements are achieved without increasing production costs.

Crucially, this is not an exercise in academic experimentation. The focus is on real-world solutions—enhancing materials with nanotechnology so that they perform better in the marketplace, while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing processes.

For businesses seeking to explore nanotechnology, the key challenge is often where to begin. By combining advanced characterisation tools with expertise in polymer science and nanomaterials, POLYMER NANO CENTRUM provides a bridge between established manufacturing know-how and cutting-edge innovation, making it possible for polymer producers to take their first steps into nanotechnology confidently, with measurable outcomes and reduced risk.

In Part 2, the focus will shift from analysis to application—highlighting the processing, durability testing, and pilot-scale equipment that enables these laboratory insights to be translated into commercially viable, next-generation polymer products.

Photo credit: POLYMER NANO CENTRUM