Structure And Dynamics Of Confined Polymers

Polymers are essential to biology because they can have enough stable degrees of freedom to store the molecular code of heredity and to express the sequences needed to manufacture new molecules. Through these they perform or control virtually every function in life. Although some biopolymers are created and spend their entire career in the relatively large free space inside cells or organelles, many biopolymers must migrate through a narrow passageway to get to their targeted destination. This suggests the questions: How does confining a polymer affect its behavior and function? What does that tell us about the interactions between the monomers that comprise the polymer and the molecules that confine it? Can we design and build devices that mimic the functions of these nanoscale systems? The NATO Advanced Research Workshop brought together for four days in Bikal, Hungary over forty experts in experimental and theoretical biophysics, molecular biology, biophysical chemistry, and biochemistry interested in these questions. Their papers collected in this book provide insight on biological processes involving confinement and form a basis for new biotechnological applications using polymers. In his paper Edmund DiMarzio asks: What is so special about polymers? Why are polymers so prevalent in living things? The chemist says the reason is that a protein made of N amino acids can have any of 20 different kinds at each position along the chain, resulting in 20 N different polymers, and that the complexity of life lies in this variety.

The study of the structure and dynamics of polymers confined by solid surfaces, enhances our knowledge about the properties of composite materials. The topic has been a desired area of study given the development of its applications. In such systems, the macromolecules are responsible for the general performance of the whole system. Therefore, understanding the effect of the confinement on the structure and dynamics of polymers is crucial for the advancement of the field. It has been shown that conformations and dynamics of polymer melts confined to thin films and flat surfaces as well as cylindrical pores are altered in comparison with the bulk. The change in properties depends on several factors including but not limited to the geometry of confinement. In our research, we study the effects of both the nanoscopic confinement and curvature on the dynamics and properties of a chemically realistic united atom model of a 1,4-Polybutadiene (PBD) melt using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Therefore, we divide our work into two systems: one with a PBD melt confined in a cylindrical nanopore and the other with a PBD melt surrounding a cylindrical nanorod. In both systems, the effects induced by the confinement on the melt's structure and dynamics on several scales are examined and compared.

Representing the wide breadth academic disciplines involved in this ever-expanding area of research, this reference provides a comprehensive overview of current scientific and technological advancements in soft materials analysis and application. Documenting new and emerging challenges in this burgeoning field, Soft Materials is a unique and outsta

Concerns about global warming and the depletion of oil reserves have led to significant research into more sustainable composite materials made from natural materials. Recently, research has focussed on the development of nanoscale reinforcements for this new group of composites, significantly improving and extending their range of desirable properties. Environmentally friendly polymer nanocomposites summarises this wealth of research and its practical implications. After an introduction to the subject, part one looks at matrix and reinforcement materials as well as their characterisation. Part two reviews key properties such as tensile and dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability. It also considers issues such as barrier properties, biodegradability, rheology, electrical and thermal conductivity. The book concludes by reviewing potential applications. This book is ideal for polymer and material scientists, researchers and engineers. It will also help industrial researchers and R&D managers who want to bring advanced eco-friendly polymer composite-based products into the market. Summarises the practical implications of the development of nanoscale reinforcements for sustainable composite materials made from natural materials Examines matrix and reinforcement materials and their characterisation and reviews key properties such as tensile and dynamic mechanical properties Considers barrier properties, biodegradability, rheology, electrical and thermal conductivity and potential applications

The rapidly-developing field of confined polymers is reviewed in this volume. Special emphasis is given to polymer aspects of this interdisciplinary problem. Taken together, the contributions offer ample evidence of how the field of polymer science continues to evolve with the passage of time. The topics revolve around the tendency of surfaces to impede chain relaxation and to stimulate new sorts of chain organization. These have been implicated in a variety of spectacular phenomena. Here is a listing of authors and affiliations: K. Binder (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany); P.-G. de Gennes (College de France, France); E.P. Giannelis, R. Krishnamoorti, and E. Manias (Cornell University and University of Houston, USA); G.S. Grest (Exxon Research and Engineering Co., USA); L. Leger, E. Raphael, and H. Hervet (College de France, France); S.-Q. Wang (Case Western Reserve University, USA).

A study of how nanotechnology can be used in disease detection and treatment. It shows how nanotechnology offers sensitive tools for the early detection of cancer, discussing the use of lasers to measure optical deformability in cancer cells, and therapeutics through the use of nanomaterials.

Volume 2 of the conference proceedings of the SPE/Antac on 'Plastics Bridging the Millennia- subtopic of 'Materials', held on the 2-6 May 1999 in New York City, USA.

This volume presents computer simulation methods and mathematical modelling of physical processes used in surface science research. It offers in-depth analysis of advanced theoretical approaches to behaviours of fluids in contact with porous, semiporous and nonporous solid surfaces. The book also explores interfacial systems for a wide variety of p