Bridging Polymer and Glass Physics

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In this project, we will establish a unified description of supercooling, viscoelasticity, and vitrification in a family of molecules-the transition metal alkoxides-whose behaviour bridges that of polymers and small-molecule glass formers. The temperature-dependent properties of materials are of enormous importance to their practical application and therefore a thorough understanding of the molecular origin of these properties is critically important. A wide range of techniques will be used including advanced rheology down to -160C, DSC, Raman, and SAXS/WAXS to characterise macroscopic properties. This is combined with atomistic computer simulations (by collaborators) to provide insights into molecular level structure and dynamics responsible for the macroscopic behaviour. Our overall aim is then to forge a deep connection between polymer and glass physics in order to produce a paradigm shift in fundamental materials science that will ultimately lead to a more rational design of amorphous materials with implications for all areas where glasses are utilised from polymer, oxide, chalcogenide, metallic, organic, to metal-organic framework (MOF) glasses involving applications from amorphous drugs, ultra-strong metallic glasses used in airplane engines, optoelectronic materials, to containment for high-level nuclear waste.