Microstructured Macromolecular Soft Materials

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9223966 Russell This award is to start a new Materials Research Group (MRG) at Princeton University on the topic of microstructured macromolecular soft materials. The goal of the research is to understand, control, and exploit these materials. The research addresses three major themes: (1) block copolymers where the meso-scale morphology is determined by block lengths and thermodynamic incompatibilities of the constituents, (2) polymer-particle dispersions where the attachment of the block copolymer at an interface leads to ordering in the colloidal phase, (3) study of the properties of complex structured fluids. These three themes involve research on dynamics of ordering, effects of shear on ordering, use of phase separated systems as templates for nano-lithography, effects of block copolymer structure on adsorption and ordering, tailoring of fluid rheology through control of microstructure. Microstructured soft materials order on the length scale of ten to hundred nanometers, where structure formation or self assembly occurs in the fluid state. Structure formation is determined by the balance among structural entropy, steric energy, and electrostatic forces. Examples of microstructured soft materials include motor oils and lubricants, colloidal additives to plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, paints and coatings, drilling fluids, nano-lithography for electronics, and nonlinear optics. The research involves collaboration with Exxon Corporate Research Laboratories. The institutional environment at Princeton University is excellent for training advanced students for careers in research and teaching. ***