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UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN); Department of Chemical Engineering; Department of Physics & Astronomy
Prof. Mark W. Matsen

My research focuses on molecular self-assembly in polymeric systems involving block copolymers. Block copolymer molecules consist of chemically distinct polymer chains (i.e., blocks) covalently bonded together, and they self-assemble because of a general tendency for unlike blocks to phase separate. When this happens, the unlike blocks form microdomains often with some intricate periodically-ordered geometry. Not only do these molecules possess significant commercial applications, they also represent a model system for studying general phenomena associated with molecular self-assembly. This is in part due to various experimental advantages of working with polymeric materials, and also because there exists a highly advanced theory for modelling block copolymers known as self-consistent field theory (SCFT). There is also relatated field-theoretic simulations (FTS). The systems that I examine vary from simple melts of diblock copolymer to block copolymers with elaborate architectures. I also look at blends of various block copolymer combinations and blends with conventional polymers and/or solvents. Issues that I examine include the bulk equilibrium behaviour, the behaviour of thin films, defects and grain boundaries, interfacial behaviour, and phase transitions.