Scientific and education center "Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology" is equipped with high-precision modern automated devices for the wide range of scientific, research, industrial and educational applications.
• The particle size in nanoscale can be determined. Both wide range of measurement types (size of particles varies from 0.2 nm to 6.5 microns) and various methods (X-ray scattering and laser diffraction) are implemented. Measurements in liquid and gaseous carrier mediums are possible.

• The mechanical properties of materials in the nanometer range, the internal stresses and stress relaxation kinetics, as well as the material structure, interface strength (including thin films) can be examined. There is a special control over the conditions of the test environment, which guarantees high accuracy and reliability of the research.

• Low-resolution pulsed NMR spectrometer intended for measurement the time corresponding to the thermal balance in the nuclear magnetic resonance; for determination of the substances concentration in the solid or liquid phase in the raw materials and products (for various industries).

• Optical study and determination of materials’ structural parameters can be performed with zoom about 2000X.

• Complex for studies of supramolecular systems allows analyses of the dispersed powders and granular materials. The extra feature of the complex is the ability to measure the zeta potential and molecular weight of the particles and polymers.

• Vertical dilatometer allows determining a set of thermal characteristics. The linear thermal expansion, thermal expansion coefficient, volume expansion, the Curie point, softening point, the sintering temperature, glass transition temperature of polymer materials, dimensional changes caused by chemical reactions (e.g., oxidation), shrinkage during sintering and phase transitions (melting, crystallization) can be studied in a wide range of temperatures from –150 °C to 1600 °C.

• High-performance microwave system can be used for small- and large-scale microwave synthesis of organics, organometallics and other complex compounds.

• Electro-kinetic analyzer allows examination of zeta potential of macroscopic solids.

• Automated adsorptive porosimeter permits the measurement of specific surface area by the BET method, STSA, Langmuir. Pore size and distribution can also be investigated.

• Automatic integrated system for laboratory analysis of technologic liquids measures the temperatures, electrical conductivity and the pH, the titrimetric values of total and free alkalinity (so-called m and p values), the concentration of calcium and magnesium compaunds, as well as the concentration of anions by means of ion chromatography.

• Rheometer allows performing different rheological tests in oscillation and rotation modes. The modular nature of the system allows integration of the rheometer with several accessories (temperature devices etc.). Because of this, it is possible to carry out additional rheological testing and thermo mechanical analysis.

• The Senterra Raman spectrometer combined with confocal Olympus BX microscope can be used for chemical and mineralogical analysis, as well as for examination of the phase transition processes. The unique features of the spectrometer are very low requirements of the sample (several milligrams are usually enough to carry out the measurement) and capability to perform the measurements in wide range of temperatures (from room temperature up to 1200 °C). The spectral range is from 45 to approximately 4000 inverse centimeters, with resolution up to 3 inverse centimeters. There are two excitation lasers – green and near infrared – which can be easily switched during the measurement. The accompanying software allows complex processing: spectra averaging, zero line adjusting, Fourier analysis and so forth.

• Complex for sample preparation includes automatic cutting machine of high precision, as well as single-disk grinding and polishing machine for high-efficiency and fast processing and preparation of samples for studies (optical and atomic force microscopy, dilatometry, mechanical studies on the nanometer scale).

• In order to study the surface properties, the scanning probe microscope which produces images of the surface and allows examination of local characteristics can be applied. Two scanning techniques (tunnel and semi-contact atomic force microscopy) are implemented.

• Automatic multi servohydraulic system allows complex static and low-frequency dynamic testing of construction materials for different purposes.

• High-performance climate chamber allows us to study materials in different operational environments. Sample test is carried out on the effects of environmental factors such as temperature range from –40 ° C to +80 ° C, infrared and ultraviolet radiation, simulates the effects of precipitation and other necessary aggressive media.

On the base of SEC «Nanovaterials & Nanotechnology» the modern laboratory with automatic equipment, which allows designing, fabricating and studying of road construction materials, including nano-modified asphalt concrete, is formed. Our center has facilities for the production and studies the properties of asphalt, as well as their source components.

• Planetary mixer for bitumen-based mixtures allows uniform and temperature-controlled mixing of bituminous mixtures intended for mechanical tests. It allows to control the temperature and stirring rate during preparation of mixture. This facilitates the preparation of samples (especially – samples of small volume) for further testing.

• Automatic ductility testing machine with electronic digital display is for characterization of extensibility and flexibility of bituminous materials (according to ASTM D113 technique). In the operation process testing machine measures the ability of the bitumen sample (of standard form, stretched at a predefined temperature) to thread without a final break.

• Automatic device for determining the softening point of bitumen implements the so-called “Ring and Ball” (EN 1427) method.

• Automatic penetrometer is intended for measurement the consistency of bitumen by means of determining the penetration depth of the test body (of standard size and weight) in the test zone.

• The Fraass instrument is designed to determine brittle point of bitumen by periodic bending of steel plate coated with a layer of bitumen, cooled at a constant rate to the temperature at which the bitumen layer will crack (DIN 52 012).

• Engler viscometer is used to measure the relative viscosity by determining the ratio between the time of the expiration of the bitumen at the test temperature and the time of the expiration of the same quantity of distilled water at +20 ^oC (DIN 51 801).

• Semi-automatic analyzer of flash point temperature is for quick and accurate determination of the flash point of petroleum products in the closed crucible in accordance with the Pensky-Martens method.

• Device for determining the polarity of the particles of bitumen emulsions (ISO 1430) allows to determine the presence of the electric charge carried by particles of ionic emulsions.

• The device to aging of bitumen can be used for determination the effect of heat and exposure to air on a moving film of semi-solid bitumen.

• Asphalt concrete mixer is for making the asphalt mix at given temperature and a given mode of mixing, with reduced degradation of the mechanical components of the material. Automatic mixer ensures complete and uniform coverage of all mineral components by bitumen.

• Vacuum system is designed for determination of water saturation of asphalt concrete and asphalt mix specimens prepared in lab or taken from the cover or bottom of the road in the form of core or cuttings.

• Automated pavement analyzer (APA) is designed to study covers of the roadway and to simulate the operating loads. In combination with a vibratory asphalt compactor, which provides the necessary seal of asphalt mixtures prepared for testing, forming device and a hydraulic press to produce samples, APA is able to provide complex and high-productive tests both in research as well as to address specific practical or production problems. Among them are: rutting test (simulated impact of road wheel), moisture test (simulating the impact of the automobile wheel in a humid environment), fatigue test (the impact of static load on the specimen in bending), test of studded tires (studded tires effect at low temperatures), Hamburg test (impact of metal wheels on the sample immersed in water). The test results are automatically processed by a computer system and recorded in a report.

• Asphalt densitometer is designed for NDT of density and homogeneity of asphalt pavement and base. It is based on the measurement of the density of materials by means of analysis of electromagnetic field, and unlike radioisotope methods require no special radiation safety precautions.

Below is the list of the operations and tests that can be carried out by SEC “Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology” for road materials.

1. Comprehensive study of the properties of materials and bituminous emulsions: extensibility, penetration, softening point, brittleness temperature and the temperature of the flash, the aging of bitumen, viscosity and polarity of bitumen emulsions;

2. Preparation of modified bituminous materials, emulsions and other materials.

3. Comprehensive study of operational properties and durability of asphalt concrete: asphalt content, the parameters of the state, strength properties, water saturation, frost resistance, shear resistance, crack resistance, rutting, resistance to dynamic impact of transport (acceleration / deceleration), resistance to fatigue failure, resistance to deterioration from exposure to studded tires.

4. Production of specimens of asphalt concrete and large samples of asphalt pavement.