ABOUT LABORATORY

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Center for Experimental Mechanics (LEM) is an independent Laboratory within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana. The main focus of LEM is performing educational and research activities in a field of behavior of polymers, composites, polymer melts, suspensions and the related applications.

The research team of the Center for Experimental Mechanics works in the following directions:

  1. Integration of educational and research processes. We are interested in involving students into research process already at early stages of their education, since such approach not only develops important skills, but also provides guidance within the further studies and helps to determine focus for the future work. Involvement of students into small and large-scale research project also beneficially contributes to researcher’s communication and management experience.
  2. Implementation of research results into industry. Application of basic theoretical knowledge to the solution of a particular practical problem is a challenge for every researcher. CEM research group possesses experiential knowledge that is essential for this step and, moreover, aims to transfering and implementing of break-through ideas and findings into industrial applications.
  3. Cross-disciplinary research. Our experience shows that scientists from different areas have different views on the same problem, therefore can suggest different solutions and analyze them from different angles. Complex problems typically require a synergy of knowledge, experiential approaches and expertise from different fields. Therefore, CEM believes in developing a joint interdisciplinary parternship  network that would connect partners from various areas of research and industry in order to achieve competitive results and providing solutions for  complex problems.

Research activities include basic research within the ongoing ARRS (Slovenian Research Agency) research program “Sustainable Polymeric  Materials and Technologies” (P2-0264) as well as applicative research related to particular industrial applications. We aim to incorporate and implement the obtained information, experience and knowledge into new innovative industrial solutions to enhance competitive capacities and strategic opportunities for various industries (automotive, aerospace, heating industry, medical, military, home appliances, etc.).

LEM is actively involved in various international industrial collaborations:

  • Hella
  • BSH
  • Sandoz-LEK
  • Danfoss
  • Anton Paar
  • Domel
  • Leone
  • Krka

Recent Publication

The Research Group of the Laboratory of Experimental Mechanics (LEM) of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, together with the groups of the Department of Surface Technology and the Department of Electronic Ceramics Jozef Stefan Institute (JSI) and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering The University of British Columbia (UBC), carried out a theoretical and experimental study in the field of carbon nanocomposites to address the impact of the formation and network configurations from carbon nanotubes (hereinafter referred to as CNT) to the reinforcement and conductive properties of such composite materials. The researchers demonstrated that random configuration significantly reduces the concentration of added CNT for the transition of material from the insulator to the conductor (electrical interlacing of CNTs defined by volume randomly lowers the concentration of added CNT for the transition material from the insulator to the conductor.

Alen Oseli, Tanja Tomković, SavvasG. Hatzikiriakos, Alenka Vesel, Matija Arzenšek, Tadej Rojac, Mohor Mihelčič, Lidija Slemenik Perše*

Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) at Center of Experimental Mechanics (CEM), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana!

The Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) allows for the measurement of temperatures and heat flows associated with thermal transitions in a variety of materials, making it an essential tool for investigating, selecting, comparing, and evaluating materials in Research, Quality Control, and Industrial Applications.

With our new DSC equipment, properties that can be measured by our DSC techniques include:

  • Glass transition temperature (Tg)
  • Melting temperature (Tm)
  • Crystallization temperature (Tc)
  • Enthalpy of melting (ΔHm)
  • Enthalpy of crystallization (ΔHc)
  • Specific heat (cp)
  • Product stability
  • Cure/cure kinetics
  • Oxidative stability

The DSC system can be field retrofitted to the 54-position autosampler, which includes features such as new linear X-Y-Z design, two quick-change trays, and the choice of unloading pans back to the tray or disposing of them to free up space for continuous sample queuing. These features help to reduce sample loading time, increase throughput and reliability, and provide scientists with more time for research.

Our new equipment is the perfect catalyst for collaboration and innovation in Research and Development (R&D). Feel free to contact us for collaborations.

Contact:

Dr. Lidija Slemenik Perše

lidija.slemenikperse@fs.uni-lj.si

Telefone: 01 6207 100