相变是涉及材料、化学、物理、生物等多学科背景的重要课题之一，此前人们制备了一系列含有酰胺、酯羰基、碱基以及离子电荷等特征官能团的类生物大分子，作为模型体系研究相变过程中的分子内/间相互作用。受到生命科学领域甲基化效应的启发以及结合申请人对聚合物中α-甲基作用的前期探索，本课题拟围绕α-甲基对高分子相变行为的调控这一共性科学问题，建立多种新的高分子相变模型体系，发展多角度、多维度、多层次的表征分析技术，突破目前对高分子相变机理的认知瓶颈，指导设计具有特殊相变行为、力学、光学和加工性能的新材料，推动药物控制释放、特殊光学材料、柔性电子材料、智能软机器人等重大前沿领域的发展，促进多学科多领域的交叉融通。

Phase transition is one of the most important topics related to a wide range of disciplines, including material science, chemistry, physics, biology, etc. So far people have synthesized a variety of biomimetic macromolecules featured with amides, ester carbonyls, bases and ionic groups to study the intra- and inter- molecular interactions during the phase transition. However, inspired by the methylation effect found in biological science and some preliminary exploration of the role of α-methyl in polymers, the applicant finds α-methyl probably plays a key role in regulating phase transition behaviors of macromolecules. Therefore, this project will construct a series of novel bio-inspired macromolecular phase transition models, develop multi-angle, multi-dimensional, multi-level characterization technologies, and aim at breaking through the current cognitive bottlenecks on the mechanism of macromolecular phase transition behaviors. Furthermore, it will guide the design for new materials with unusual phase transition, mechanical and optical properties, as well as improved processability, and thus promote the development of some major frontier areas such as drug delivery, optical devices, flexible electronics and intelligent soft robots. Finally, this project will also provide rich inspiration for multiple disciplines and contribute to cross-disciplinary researches.