Bsc: Chemistry/Materials Science - Curing behavior of UVgel(tm) inks for low emission formulations

Are you a BSc student in Chemistry/Materials Science and looking for an internship or a graduation assignment? Are you excited to play a key role in improving the sustainability of our UVgel™ technology? We are looking for you!

Internship/Graduation assignment in UVgel™ ink R&D

This internship/graduation assignment focuses on the curing behavior of UVgel™ inks for low-emission formulations.

Background

CPP’s UVgel™ technology is based on a solvent-free ink system formulated with acrylate monomers that polymerize and form a solid layer upon exposure to UV light. The UVgel™ inks are designed as low-viscosity liquids at jetting temperature, allowing droplet formation. When the ink hits the substrate, which is held at a lower temperature, the gel solidifies, preventing coalescence of nearby ink droplets allowing for unparalleled print accuracy and print quality.

Your assignment

For the ink research it is important that the pigment dispersions are stable. To determine this, two analytical measurements are developed: Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and viscosity measurements using a rheometer.

We are looking for an intern who proactively contributes to research into determining the parameters that cause a UV-ink to destabilize. During this research you will look into the chemical compositions of the inks and the physical parameters of the raw materials used in the inks. Simultaneously, the analytical methods used to determine ink stability will be optimized to allow for the quickest and easiest way to measure stability accurately.

During the internship you will be supervised by people within the R&D UVgel™ ink group and you will have the opportunity to gain experience performing and optimizing physical-chemical analysis measurements. We expect you to perform research, come with improvement suggestions, and perform an accuracy analysis for the developed methods. It is important that you learn to plan, execute, and interpret this independently, and we will provide you with the guidance needed to develop these skills. If successful, the outcome of the assignment will also be incorporated into further ink engineering.

Your profile

• You are currently an HBO (university of applied sciences) student in the field of chemistry/laboratory technology/chemical physical analysis, at least in your second year.
• You are eager to contribute to the development and improvement of a product and existing measurement techniques.
• You can operate within a larger team and make clear agreements about what needs to be finished and when.
• In consultation, you are available for a period of at least 4 months.

What’s in it for you?

• A challenging assignment on the interface of technology development and product development.
• Skilled coaching
• Internship/Graduation compensation of €500,- per month
• Travel cost compensation if you don’t have an ‘OV-weekcard’
• The possibility to network with professionals inside and outside your field of expertise, thanks to our diversity of disciplines which you will work with

About the company

We develop and manufacture high-tech printing products and workflow software for the commercial printing market as part of Canon, a global leader in imaging technologies. With around 3,300 employees across three continents and our headquarters in Venlo, the Netherlands, we empower our people to grow, take initiative, and make an impact.

With our company values collaboration, innovation and ownership, we strive to bring out the best in each other, expand boundaries and feel empowered to take ownership of our work.