Soft-materials at surfaces and interfaces

我们研究组的主要重点是表面和界面的软材料。软材料的物理学不同于硬物质，因为较弱的分子间键导致对外部应力的大响应。我们主要研究聚合物材料，但也研究DNA分子和活细胞。从根本上了解材料的性质，对于新技术的发展至关重要。这些材料的一个令人惊讶的方面是，在小的长度尺度上，如薄膜或涂层，这些材料的性质可能与块状系统的性质截然不同。这种差异可能是分子受到限制的结果，也可能是因为所研究的系统越小，界面发挥的作用越大。近年来，我们的研究方向发生了变化--在帮助我们建立国际存在的领域仍保持着重大活动的同时，我们正在经历向生物物理学的重大转变。这一转变开始取得成果，因为我们能够利用在软材料研究中获得的专业知识来解决生物物理学中令人兴奋的问题。

The main focus of our research group is soft-materials at surfaces and interfaces. The physics of soft materials is distinct from hard matter as the weaker intermolecular bonds result in a large response to external stresses. We study mainly polymeric materials, but also DNA molecules and living cells. Understanding material properties at a fundamental level, is crucial to the development of new technologies. A surprising aspect of these materials is that on small lengthscales, like thin films or coatings, these materials can have properties that differ vastly from those of bulk systems. The difference can be the result of molecules being confined or because the interface plays a greater role the smaller the system studied. Recent years have brought a change in the direction for our research - while still retaining significant activity in the areas that have helped us to establish an international presence, we are undergoing a major shift to biophysics. This shift is starting to come to fruition as we are able to address exciting questions in biophysics using expertise attained in the study of soft materials.