Research Activities

Polymer and Colloid Science

Members

D. Vlassopoulos,  G. Petekidis

The Polymer & Colloid Science Group activities are directed towards the fundamental understanding of the structure-properties relationship in soft matter. This is accomplished through systematic approaches on carefully selected projects utilizing a range of powerful, high spatial and time resolution experimental techniques. We focus our attention towards model polymeric and colloidal systems with special consideration to dynamical properties. The main mastered experimental techniques are scattering (Light, X-ray, Neutrons) and rheology. As we are not manufacturing our model samples, we rely on close collaboration with a number of pioneering chemists. Our effort is also directed towards the development of specific experimental tools like Evanescent wave scattering and Echo dynamic light scattering.

The main general interest includes:

• Dynamic of soft systems in dense solutions like polymer (diblock, rodlike, brush) and colloid (soft and hard) systems,
• Rheology of branched polymers,
• Laser writing in polymer solution.

Current research topics:

• Soft colloids: effective interactions, dynamics and rheology ( G. Petekidis, D. Vlassopoulos)
• Dynamics and non linear rheology of colloidal glasses and gels. (G. Petekidis, D. Vlassopoulos)
• Macromolecular architecture, self assembly and relaxation in polymeric systems. (D. Vlassopoulos)

Group Publications

Experimental equipment