To encourage and develop research activities in the fields of Polymer Science and Technology.

(a) To establish a Polymer Research Group of international repute through academic links with institutions abroad and joint research publications.

(b) To support the continuing development of the polymer industry in Thailand.

(a) The development of new biodegradable polymers for use as absorbable surgical sutures.

(b) The synthesis and properties of some synthetic hydrogels for use as temporary skin substitutes in wound dressings.

(c) The design of new polymers for use as controlled release drug delivery systems.

(d) Molecular modelling of polymer chain conformations.

(1) Thermal Analysis System

(2) Automatic Viscosity Measuring System

(3) Membrane and Vapour Pressure Osmometers

(4) Controlled Atmosphere Glove Box

(5) Universal Mechanical Testing Machine

(6) Impact Tester

(7) Bench-top Injection Moulding Machine

(8) Vacuum Former

(9) Fluidized Bed for Powder Coating

(10) Vacuum Ovens

(11) Incubator

(12) Small-Scale Fibre Extrusion Equipment

(13) Water Vapour Transmission Rate Apparatus*

Following the official appointment in February 2537 by theNational Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of our "BIOMEDICAL POLYMERS RESEARCH UNIT"here in the Faculty of Science,the Polymer Research Laboratory has continued with its main interest in thefield of "BIODEGRADABLE POLYESTERS FOR USE IN SURGICAL APPLICATIONS".The main objective here is toproduce a new monofilament absorbable surgical suture with superior handling properties.So far, the work has progressed to the stage where several new speciality polymers have been synthesized and their structures characterised. Research is now continuing to try to control and optimize those polymer properties (molecular weight, crystallinity, microstructure, thermal transitions, etc.) upon which

*This is a new item of equipment obtained through a collaborative research grant with research groups in MTEC and AIT the polymer's usefulness as a suture depends. Running parallel to this synthesis work, some preliminary processing studies have also been carried out on the design and construction of a small-scale melt spinning apparatus.These studies have formed the initial part of an MTEC-funded project (2536-38) entitled: "THE PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF MONOFILAMENT FIBRES FOR USE AS ABSORBABLE SURGICAL SUTURES".A prototype apparatus was built and successfully used prior to the arrival and setting up in April 1995 of a new commercial small-scale fibre extrusion apparatus. Preliminary melt spinning trials are now in progress.

More recently,a second line of biomedical polymer research has been initiated. "SYNTHETIC HYDROGELS AS WOUND DRESSINGS" is a new line of research in response to the urgent need in hospitals for a new type of "temporary skin substitute" for burn victims. This work, as with the suture work, is being conducted in collaboration with staff in the Faculty of Medicine.

A third project, which is still in the planning stage with the Faculty of Pharmacy, aims to develop new polymer systems which can be used as drug matrices or excipients. In this application,the polymer controls the rate of drug release from a pharmaceutical preparation.

Finally, some work has recently started on molecular modelling. Here the main objective is to be able to design new biomedical polymers with predictable properties through the use of computational methods and theoretical calculations.This is supportive of all of the projects previously mentioned.Further details of these 4 main of reseasch are given on page 5.

Some of the most recent results from these research projects were presented early this year (in January 1997) at the International Conference on Materials Technology organised here in Chiang Mai by the Faculty's Materials Science Project. Abstracts of these presentations are attached with this report.

"Ring Strain and Polymerisability of Cyclic Esters" เป็นผลงานวิจัยของห้องปฏิบัติการวิจัยพอลิเมอร์ คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ ร่วมกับ IRC in polymer Science and Technology,มหาวิทยาลัย Leeds ประเทศอังกฤษ ผลงานนี้กำลังอยู่ในกระบวนการส่งเพื่อตีพิมพ์ใน "Journal Polymer"

เป็นผลงานที่นำเสนอใน The International Conference on MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY:Recent Developments and Future Potential

9-10 Janunary 1997,Chiang Mai, Thailand. ประกอบด้วยผลงานทั้งหมด 5 ผลงาน

1.Crystal Modulars of Poly(hydroxybutyrate)*

2.Development of Biodegradable Polymers for Surgical Future Applications**

3.Synthesis and Properties of Some Synthetic Hydrogel for Potential Use as Temporary Skin Substitutes in Wound Dressings

4.Water Absorption Properties of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), Poly(vinyl acetate) and Their Blends

5.AStudy of Ring Strain and Polymerisability in Cyclic Esters

*เป็นผลงานที่ได้ลงตีพิมพ์ใน J.CHEM.SOC. FARADAY TRANS.,1995,Vol. 91เป็นผลงานที่เคยใช้ในปฏิบัติการวิจัยพอลิเมอร์ในปี2539

**เป็นผลงานที่ได้เสนอแบบ Oral Presentation

1. เป็นบทความข่าวงานวิจัยในประเทศใน จดหมายข่าววัสดุและอุปกรณ์การแพทย์ ปีที่ 1 ฉบับที่ 3 เมษายน-มิถุนายน 2540

2. ผลงานเสนอในการประชุมประจำปีของศูนย์วิจัยโลหะและวัสดุแห่งชาติ 22-23 พฤษภาคม 2540 ณ Century Park Hotel, กรุงเทพฯ.