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12/03/2025

Seit 12 Jahren lautet unsere Weihnachtsbotschaft: „Im Kleinsten das Größte entdecken“

@Plastics engineering

Seit zwölf Jahren verschicken wir zu Weihnachten eine besondere Karte: Jede zeigt eine Aufnahme aus unseren aktuellen Forschungsprojekten – ein Blick in Welten, die oft unscheinbar wirken und doch Erstaunliches offenbaren. Unter dem Motto „Im Kleinsten das Größte entdecken“ verwandeln wir mit kreativer Unterstützung von formkonfekt wissenschaftliche Momentaufnahmen in kleine, festliche Grüße.

 

Entdecken Sie im Folgenden eine Sammlung unserer festlich interpretierten Forschungsaufnahmen aus zwölf Jahren - ein visueller Rückblick, der Wissenschaft und Weihnachtszauber verbindet.

Image: IfW
2025: Oh, what a joy... PLA emissions on aluminum foil
The image shows condensed deposits found on aluminum foil after a 16-hour test at 100°C. These are low-volatility compounds that cause the “fogging” phenomenon so dreaded in the automotive industry. These compounds are often attributable to plasticizers or other chemical residues. We are investigating which factors influence the deposition of these substances and how this behavior can be reduced. The image was captured using a VHX-7000 optical microscope from Keyence.
Image: IfW
2024: Cover image: Our “Moon” shows a µCT image of a brittle fracture in a PBS-starch test specimen (notched impact bending test).
Image: IfW
2023: Cover image: Our snow globe shows a transmitted-light microscopy image (400x) of a PLA-starch composite that was stored in compost for four weeks. There is clear fungal growth in the area of the starch particles, as well as damage to the PLA matrix.
Image: IfW
2022: Cover image: Our “gift” was created using the ZEISS Xradia 520 Versa micro-
computed tomography scanner.
The image shows solid silicone rubber filled with inorganic,
flake-shaped filler. The image illustrates the particle distribution
within the matrix. Different colors represent
particles of a specific size.
Image: IfW
2021: Cover image: Our “Christmas ornament” was created using the ZEISS Xradia 520 Versa micro-
computed tomography scanner. The blend structures
were imaged at high resolution with a voxel size of 1.25 μm.
The sphere shows an incompatible blend of PA6 and PP
combined with an aluminosilicate filler. The sample was taken from a
extruded strand after the compound was manufactured.
The structure of the sphere shows that the filler is primarily visible in the phase
of the PA6 (light gray) as small, light-colored dots. The PP (magenta)
achieves the desired effect of volume displacement.
Image: IfW
2020: Cover image: Thin section of a blend of polylactide and native potato starch. The Maltese crosses typical of starch
become visible under polarized light. Imaged with a
Keyence VHX600 digital microscope at 100x magnification.
Image: IfW
2019: Cover image: Surface image of a thermally conductive filled plastic. The polyamide matrix containing titanium dioxide particles is detaching from a glass fiber as a result of material shrinkage. Imaged using the BSD detector on the Zeiss Ultra Plus SEM; the image section shows 20 µm x 13.5 µm.
Image: IfW
2018: Cover image: Our Christmas astronaut floats above a thermoplastic microsphere suspended in a foamed universe of liquid silicone rubber. The “globe” has a diameter of 116 µm. This image was captured using the scanning electron microscope at the University of Kassel.
Image: IfW
2017: Cover image: Our “Winter Landscape” is a photograph taken with the scanning electron microscope at the University of Kassel. It shows a striking image of cellulose fibers that could be wetted by plastic to varying degrees (5,000x magnification; fiber impregnated with polypropylene, including a wetting agent, in solution).
Image: IfW
2016: Cover image: Our stylized “moon” is an image captured using the new CT scanner at the University of Kassel. It shows a striking image of wood fibers as they appear within a plastic part (the plastic component itself is hidden from view). Scan the QR code on the right to watch a fascinating video of this scan!
Image: IfW
2015: Cover image: We are quite impressed by the IfW’s new scanning electron microscope and can now observe what previously could only be detected at the Munich II Research Reactor.
SEM image of a spherically cross-linked PMMA colloid with a diameter of approximately 350 nm
in a PMMA matrix; the image section shows an area of approximately 7 x 5 μm
Image: IfW
2014 Cover Image: REM image of PP with 40% wood flour + 10% PET fibers + 5% adhesion promoter;
Image section shows 180 μm x 270 μm