The microscopic structure of mixed recycled plastics

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Swansea University Research Forum (SURF)
Research as Art Competition - Entry Form
Please complete this form for each image you want to enter and email it back along with
your image to surfimage@swansea.ac.uk
Name:
Cris Arnold, Trystan Watson, Sue Alston, Matt Carnie, Carol Glover
Department:
Engineering
Image Title (max 10 words): The microscopic structure of mixed recycled plastics.
What is the image of and how was it produced. Also, why does it matter? (max 150 words)
The image comes from a study of the compatibility of different recycled plastics from waste
electronic equipment. Many of these materials are hard to separate from each other and so
recycling mixtures is an attractive option. It is important to ensure that they mix on a microscopic
scale to ensure good mechanical performance of the blends. The image uses a new technique of
Infra-red spectroscopy mapping to observe how the different chemical components separate. This
work was done in conjunction with Axion Polymers, one of the UK’s largest plastics recyclers and
has helped develop the commercial recycling of mixed plastics from waste electrical equipment.
The research has also recently been accepted for publication in “Polymer Testing”
By completing your submission you certify that you are eligible for the competition and have
read and agree with the following rules for submission:
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I am a member of Swansea University (staff or student)
Images must contain only material which is the intellectual property of the person
submitting it
Ensure that anyone appearing in your work has given their permission for their
image to be used
The copyright of each work remains with the entrant but the organisers of the
competition reserve the right to reproduce any of the works in any promotional
materials or websites relating to Swansea University and to use the entries for future
exhibitions and display on campus.
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