IRG II: Nanostructured Polymer Assemblies @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Fields: | Nanostructures / Nanoparticles | Polymers |
Senior Investigators:
Michael F. Rubner (group leader)
Robert E. Cohen
Paula T. Hammond
Anne M. Mayes
Caroline A. Ross
Edwin L. Thomas
Research Goals: Polymers and polymer nanocomposites with functional electronic, optical and bio-interface properties are becoming increasing more important in many new technologies that exploit nanoscale related properties and effects. This IRG seeks to gain a fundamental understanding of the factors that control the way these oftentimes complex, functionally active polymer systems organize at the molecular and nanoscale levels and use this knowledge to control and significantly enhance the performance of electronic, magnetic, biosensor and optical devices based on these materials. The group explores primarily two complementary routes for fabricating supramolecular polymer-based thin film heterostructures: layer-by-layer assembly and block copolymer templating schemes, both largely pioneered by members of this group.