small talks: talks by students, for students <style type="text/css">  </style> </head> <body> <center>  <a href="http://dmse.mit.edu/"><img border=0 src="course3.jpg"></a> <a href="http://web.mit.edu/gso/faq/studentlifefee.html"><img border=0 src="gso.jpg"></a>  <a href="index.shtml"><b><font size=7><font color=black>small</font>TALKS</font><b></a> <a href="http://mtlweb.mit.edu/researchgroups/mems/"><img border=0 src="memsatmit.jpg"></a> <a href="http://rleweb.mit.edu/"><img border=0 src="rle.jpg"></a> <br> ♦ <i>talks by students, for students</i> ♦<br> Wednesdays, 4pm, 6-104<br> <a href="sponsors.shtml">sponsors</a><br> <a href="about.shtml">about small talks</a> </center> <p> 03.14.2007: Eric Verploegen (DMSE)<br> <i>Block copolymers</i><br> <h4>Abstract:</h4> Covalently joining two or more polymers of different chemical structures results in a block copolymer. Just as oil and water would macrophase separate to minimize interfacial interactions between the two phases, block copolymers phase segregate into periodic structures on the nano-scale. This self-assembly phenomena yields an abundant assortment of morphologies with a variety of symmetries that can be accessed by tuning the properties of the polymers. <p>In this talk I will discuss block copolymers and their applications. The ability of block copolymers to phase segregate on the nano-scale makes them of great interest for a variety of applications, including nano-patterning, photonic structures, and drug delivery. The incorporation of an inorganic component can allow for the designing of tailored nano-objects. Block copolymers can also be used to create complex micellar structures for drug encapsulation. The incorporation of functional moieties allow for these materials to be responsive to external stimuli, leading to additional application opportunities. <p><p> <center> <small>Questions? Comments? Would you like to give a small talk?<br> [small-talks at mike india tango dot edu]<br> Oh, and sign up for our <a href="http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/small-talks-announce">announce list</a>! :)</small> </center> </body> </html>