1. Triglyceride crystallization model systems for polymer crystallization? bart.goderis@chem.kuleuven.be melt Poly(propylene-co-1-pentene) for a better impact/stiffness balance and excellent optical properties bart.goderis@chem.kuleuven.be Model of crystal structure of the new trigonal form, with disorder in the positioning of the lateral groups. spherulites granular base morphology Fringed micelles - clusters lamellar base morphology Shorter Comonomer Exclusion Crystal Size Reduction Lowering of Crystallinity and Melting Point Increasing Comonomer Content Predicting the Behaviour of Polymer Materials and Devices Theory & Computer Simulation Molecular computer simulation and theory are used to understand and predict the properties of polymer materials and devices. HPC Hardware & Advanced Software & Theory are available. Simulation & theory studies are of importance for the experimentally oriented topics. Projects & Milestones Single chain behaviour in relation to molecular parameters & confinement (motors, valves, pumps) Self-assembly of supramolecular polymers. (Hydro)gels and polymer/liquid crystal mixtures Molecular Simulation of Polymer Brush Conformation Ting.Li @chem.kuleuven.be & Erik.Nies@chem.kuleuven.be Various Morphologies of a Single Polymer Chain <= Simulation of Colloid Suspensions and Polymer Chain Absorption Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals (PDLCs) “Swiss cheese" polymer matrix with liquid crystal in the holes. PDLC transparency controlled by electric field. PDLC quality determined by morphology Smart Polymers on Display Projection Displays, Tuneable Mirrors & Filters Potential applications Projection display, Paintable display, Flexible display, Rollable display; Tuneable mirrors, Tunable color filters (band gap materials) Projects & Milestones Make a demonstrator PDLC display Making tuneable mirror or color filter Make a demonstrator mirror Make a demonstartor color filter Making PDLC’s Characterizing phase separation kinetics PDLC structural properties optical properties Linking PDLC & material properties Erik.Nies@chem.kuleuven.be Stimulus Polymers in (Directed) Motion Molecular Motors, Valves & Pumps Stimulus COIL GLOBULE (e.g. T, pH, ions, E-field) Single Chain Collapse Can create motion in polymer micro- and nano-devices. Solute in Solute out Stimulus 0.1 mm Molecular piston In a gel single chain collapse gives work Molecular valve Polymer brush controls aperture. Molecular pump: valves & piston Fields of Applications: (Bio)Medical: sensors, drugs delivery, stents, micro/nano motors, pumps & valves, actuators. Microfluidics: Molecular Valves, motors & pumps; Micro-robotics: Artificial Muscles, Actuators; Smart Coatings: Adapting surfaces (polarity switches), Erik.Nies@chem.kuleuven.be Projects & Milestones Molecular valve in confined space Molecular pump in confined space Anisotropic motion Single molecule motor with directed motion Device & molecular properties relationships 2 Volts potential on/off Artificial Muscle: Directed Motion Self-Assembling Supramolecular Block copolymers Functional Polymeric Nanomaterials x = 2.0x = 1.5 x = 1.0 PS-block-P4VP(CSA) 1.0 (PDP) x Supramolecular block copolymers: THE BUILDING BLOCKS for nanostructuring Fields of Applications: Nanoparticles, Nano-porous membranes, Self assembled color filters, Drug delivery Projects & Milestones Color tuneable reflectors Smart surfaces Smart nanoparticles, Nano-porous membranes, valves & pumps Demonstrator tunable reflector Demonstrator functional nano-porous membrane Erik.Nies@chem.kuleuven.be