Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Polymers

理论研究包括聚合物链和液晶在随机环境中的驰豫，以及聚合物共混物和液晶溶液中形态随时间的演化。完整的数学表达式将被用来描述(A)捕获在凝胶和受控孔玻璃中的高分子链的动力学；(B)导致聚合物共混物中受控图案形成的相分离动力学；以及(C)通过相分离动力学和这些形态中液晶区域的松弛来形成聚合物分散液晶形态。这项理论工作是对世界各地许多实验室积极开展的许多实验研究的补充。拟议工作的结果也与分离技术的重要技术领域有关，例如层析、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光闸。聚合物科学中的这项理论工作将使用分析和计算技术来解决当前基本和应用感兴趣的一些问题。主要的重点将放在无序环境中聚合物链和液晶的行为，以及聚合物混合物与液晶结合时形成的图案。

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.