Bsc/Msc: Internship Chemistry/Materials Science - Curing behavior of UVgel(tm) inks

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

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 and allowing for unparalleled print accuracy and print quality. Once deposited, the ink droplets are exposed to controlled UV-light where photoinitiators absorb energy and generate reactive radicals that rapidly form a polymer network resulting in a solid film. This curing process creates a highly durable, scratch-resistant layer with excellent adhesion to a range of media. Because the system is 100% solids and free of water or solvents, UVgel™ technology is often considered as free of emissions or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, small acrylate components can still volatilize if they remain unreacted, leading to undesirable emissions from printed materials. The Sustainable UVgel™ group at CPP conducts early-phase research to enhance the sustainability of this technology and explores strategies to reduce emissions.

Your assignment

We aim to investigate how the curing behavior of (meth)acrylate systems and the conversion of functional acrylates influence post-curing emissions in UVgel™ prints. The project will involve formulating model inks, performing acrylate conversion analysis, and preparing samples for emission and migration testing. Your work will contribute to understanding the link between polymerization efficiency and residual monomer volatility, ultimately helping to make UVgel™ technology safer and more sustainable!

Your profile

We expect an understanding of chemistry, preferably (meth)acrylate chemistry, (free radical) polymerization through UV photoinitiation and curing kinetics.

• You are a student (BSc/MSc) in the field of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related
• You are excited to contribute to the sustainability of our UVgel™ technology
• You are able to design and perform your experiments (making ink formulations, testing curing kinetics using FT-IR, preparing samples for emission and migration tests)
• You are able to process, visualize and interpret experimental data

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

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 innovate to create high-quality solutions that add color to the world. Guided by the philosophy of Kyosei—living and working together for the common good—our culture is built on openness, collegiality, trust and stability. 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.