UVIADEM
The Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Tampere University of Technology and the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering with partners have launched a new research
project UVIADEM focusing on the UV Radiation Induced and Assisted DEgradation of Materials.
The UVIADEM project aims at improved understanding of UV radiation induced and assisted degradation of materials. The focus is on the mechanisms of the interactive and wavelength-specific effects of the UV radiation together with the other stress agents.
The project will yield improved material testing methodologies, more accurate estimates on the overall environmental stress on materials, and more reliable life time estimates for both traditional and biodegradable materials in the changing climate.
Internal pages of the project (user-id and password required)
Background
Solar UV radiation has been shown to be one of the outdoor environment components deleterious to a variety of materials. These materials have
bond dissociation energies on the wavelength region of UV radiation (280 - 400 nm), leading to a complex set of processes at UV exposure and appearing as photodegradation
with the following signs:
o loss of surface gloss;
o discolouring;
o chalking;
o flaking of surface resin;
o pitting;
o microcracking;
o blistering;
o severe loss of resin from outer surface.
In essence, adverse effects of UV radiation considerably limit the lifetime of these materials.
copyright Matti Heikkilä
Framework
The project is a joint effort of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, the Tampere University of
Technology, and Elastopoli Oy.
The following European observatories participate as co-operators in the project:
o Arctic Research Centre, Finnish Meteorological Institute; Sodankylä, Finland
o Jokioinen Observatory, Finnish meteorological Institute; Jokioinen, Finland
o Meteorogical Observatory Lindenberg, German Weather Service; Lindenberg, Germany
o Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki, Greece
o El Arenosillo Sounding Station, National Institute for Aerospace Technology; Huelva, Spain
o Observatorio Atmosphérico de Izaña, Instituto Nacional de Meteorología; Tenerife, Spain
The project is funded by the the Academy of Finland and the research partners. The project has been launched on the 1st of September 2011. The project will continue four years.
Contacts
Petri Karha, phone: +358-50-596 8469, email: firstname.lastname(at)aalto.fi
Anu Heikkila, phone: +358-50-338 4854, email: firstname.lastname(at)fmi.fi