The University of Akron's College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is opening a lab in partnership with Pennsylvania-based Tosoh Bioscience LLC, a subsidiary of Tosoh Corp. of Japan, the company announced in a news release.
The Tosoh Polymer Chromatography Laboratory, which officially opened May 11, is at the Goodyear Polymer Center on the university's Akron, Ohio, campus. Equipment in the lab includes Tosoh's gel permeation chromatography systems, used to analyze polymers and composite materials. It also has external detection instrumentation from Wyatt Technology, the release stated.
Eric Amis, dean of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and vice provost for research, said these systems allow for detailed study of polymers down to the molecules.
Amis said the program has been in the works for about six months. Tosoh was interested in having a place for people to see the machines in action, and the college needed the capability the new machines offer. The equipment also will be available for testing for outside companies, he said.