Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Polymers

将对随机环境下聚合物链和液晶的弛豫以及聚合物共混物和液晶溶液中形态的时间演化进行理论研究。完整的数学表达式将被导出来描述(a)被困在凝胶和受控孔玻璃中的聚合物链动力学的非普遍特征；(b)相分离动力学导致聚合物共混物中图案的可控形成；(c)通过相分离动力学形成聚合物分散的液晶形态以及这些形态中液晶域的弛豫。理论工作补充了世界上许多实验室正在积极进行的许多实验研究。提出的工作结果也与分离技术的技术重要领域相关，如色谱，分子复合材料的制备和加工，以及用于光学处理的可切换窗口和百叶窗。聚合物科学的理论工作将使用分析和计算技术来解决当前基础和应用兴趣的一些问题。主要的焦点将放在聚合物链和液晶在无序环境中的行为，以及聚合物混合物与液晶结合时形成的模式。

Theoretical investigations will be done on relaxation of polymer chains and liquid crystals in random environments, and on the time evolution of morphologies in polymer blends and solutions with liquid crystals. The full mathematical expressions will be derived to describe the nonuniversal features of (a) dynamics of polymer chains trapped in gels and controlled pore glasses; (b) phase separation kinetics leading to controlled pattern formation in polymer blends; and, (c) formation of polymer-dispersed-liquid- crystal morphologies by phase separation kinetics and the relaxation of liquid crystalline domains in these morphologies. The theoretical work complements many experimental investigations which are being actively pursued in many laboratories worldwide. The results of the proposed work are also relevant to the technologically important areas of separation techniques such as chromatography, preparation and processing of molecular composites, and switchable windows and light shutters for optical processing. %%% This theoretical work in polymer science will use analytical and computational techniques to address a number of problems of current fundamental and applied interest. Primary focus will be on the behavior of polymer chains and liquid crystals in disordered environments and on the patterns formed when polymer mixtures are combined with liquid crystals.