ACOMP allows comprehensive, model-independent, near realtime monitoring
of many different types of polymerization reactions. It provides conversion kinetics,
and the evolution of average molar mass, intrinsic viscosity and average composition
distributions (for copolymers). Here, recent advances in ACOMP will be summarized,
dealing with continuous reactors, copolymerization, ‘living’ type reactions (NMP,
RAFT, ATRP, ROMP), polyelectrolytes, heterogeneous phase reactions, including free
radical reactions in emulsions, and predictive control. In the case of emulsion
polymerization, a new approach will be presented in which the evolution of the
characteristics of both the soluble phase – monomer conversion, polymer molar mass
and intrinsic viscosity- and the dispersed phase – particle size – are simultaneously
monitored. NSF CBET 0623531, BoR ITRS 019B, NASA NCC3-946, TIMES, PolyRMC (Tulane
Center for Polymer Reaction Monitoring and Characterization).