History of CellMat Laboratory

CREATION OF CELLMAT LABORATORY

CellMat Laboratory is funded in 1999 by Prof. José Antonio de Saja and Prof. Miguel Angel Rodríguez-Pérez.

At this time, most of the activities were focused on the characterization of (commercial) cellular materials and the main research topics were:

• The evaluation of the structure-properties relationship in polymer (mainly polyolefin based) foams.
• The analytical modelling of polyolefin foams

FROM POLYMER FOAMS TO METAL FOAMS

Opening of a research line focused on the production and characterization of metal foams

EXPANSION OF CELLMAT LABORATORY – FROM THE CHARACTERIZATION TO THE LAB-SCALE PRODUCTION

With the objective of extending the possibilities of the laboratory, lab scale processing devices are acquired.

Research topics are extended to the development of novel polymeric (mostly polyolefin) foams and novel production routes. The activities are now focused on the understanding of the relationship between composition, process, structure and properties.

Two new research lines are added:

• Microcellular foams: Development of alternative production routes.
• Nanocomposite foams: Addition of nanoparticles for the production of advanced cellular materials.

TALGO AWARD TO TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

CellMat Laboratory receives the Talgo Award to Technological Innovation for its research on aluminum foams

EXPANDING HORIZONS: FROM THERMOPLASTICS TO THERMOSETS AND BIOPLASTIC MATERIALS

Novel polymeric materials, such as non-polyolefin based thermoplastics, thermosets and biopolymers are included in new research projects.

The activities continue focusing on the development of novel and advanced know-how in the cellular materials field. The materials considered for the investigations are extended and two additional research lines are included:

• Thermoset polymers: Rigid & flexible polyurethane foams.
• Bioplastic foams: Starch and bioderived polymers (PLA,PHB).

FIRST PATENTED TECHNOLOGY – STAGES MOLDING

WIDENING THE POSSIBITIES OF CELLULAR MATERIALS: DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL PRODUCTION ROUTES

Three novel technologies are created and patented by CellMat Laboratory.

Three novel production routes are developed and patented by CellMat Laboratory.

• Complex parts – Anisotropic foams: Highly anisotropic foams for the production of helmets.
• OpenCellMat: Low density open cell foams based on crosslinked polyolefins.
• AniCell: Non-crosslinked low density structural foams. Produced using the Improved Compression Molding Route.

FUNDATION OF AN SPIN-OFF COMPANY – CELLMAT TECHNOLOGIES S. L.

The main objective of CellMat Technologies is to promote the transfer of knowledge and technology between academia and industry because it is a key factor for improvement development and competitiveness

The new spin-off company  acquires licenses of the technologies created by CellMat Laboratory.  The main activity  of the company is establishing and optimizing foaming technologies in the manufacturing plants of industrial companies.

THE REDUCTION TO THE NANOSCALE- NANOCELLULAR POLYMERS

The drastic reduction of cell size to the nanoscale opens the door to new cellular materials with outstanding properties.

Nanocellular polymers is added as research line. CellMat Laboratory becomes a pioneer center in the investigations related with these materials. For the first time, the Knudsen effect is proved to exist in nanocellular foams.

CELLMAT IS RECOGNISED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF VALLADOLID RECEIVING THE SOCIAL COUNCIL PRIZE OF THIS UNIVERSITY

CELLMAT PRODUCES FOR THE FIRST TIME A TRANSPARENT NANOCELLULAR POLYMER

By reducing the cell size to values below 50 nm CellMat produces transparent nanocellular polymers based on PMMA.

CELLMAT REACHES 200 PUBLICATIONS IN JCR JOURNALS

CELLMAT EXPANDS ITS CAPABILTIES BY WORKING ON EXTRUSION FOAMING, BEAD FOAMING AND AEROGELS

Research topics are extended taking into account the current requirements of both the academic and the industrial worlds.

• Production of cellular foams by extrusion foaming using physical blowing agents. New raw materials, additives, formulations and blowing agents are tested with the aim of improving the properties of the current products and/or developing new products with advanced properties.
• Production of cellular foams by bead foaming. The research is based on developing tailored formulations and production routes depending on the final apllication of the foamed beads.
• Production and analysis of PU based aerogels. Research topics are focused on developing PU based aerogels and analyzing the evolution of their structure with time.

CELLMAT OBTAINS THE BEST PAPER AWARD IN THE FOAMS 2019 CONFERENCE BY A RESEARCH ON NANOCELLULAR POLYMERS.