| NSF Org: |
DMR Division Of Materials Research |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | April 14, 2000 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | April 14, 2000 |
| Award Number: | 0071743 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Andrew Lovinger
alovinge@nsf.gov (703)292-4933 DMR Division Of Materials Research MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | May 1, 2000 |
| End Date: | November 30, 2003 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $312,500.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $255,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2601 WOLF VILLAGE WAY RALEIGH NC US 27695-0001 (919)515-2444 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
2601 WOLF VILLAGE WAY RALEIGH NC US 27695-0001 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | POLYMERS |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
Theoretical work over the last years has shown that the dynamics of two-dimensional viscous fluids is a richer phenomenon than hitherto believed and described theoretically. Depending on the hydrodynamic and diffusive time scales, the scaling invariance of phase coarsening can break down and jagged domains can form. In preliminary experiments, the various viscosity regimes considered in the theoretical simulations have been experimentally observed. A detailed quantitative comparison to theory will be made and the phase separation of viscous fluids, such as polymer melts, will be experimentally determined for fluid pairs ranging from highly immiscible to weakly incompatible. The primary model systems will be poly(methylmethacrylate)/polystyrene (PS), PS/brominated PS, and PS/poly(vinyl methyl ether) above their glass transition temperature. It is expected that data is acquired outside the applicability of the present simulations, most notably fluids with asymmetric composition and volume fractions as well as asymmetric viscosities. An interesting extension to binary viscous liquids will be the investigation of systems that contain small particles or beads in one of the phases. Recent theory shows that the addition of hard particles significantly changes both the kinetics and the morphology of the phase separation. In order to generate truly two-dimensional fluids, a special sample preparation method that will sandwich the polymer films between Si3N4 membranes will be developed. The surfaces will be treated to make them neutral or near neutral for the polymers utilized. In the process, control over confinement effects such as changes of viscosity in thin polymer films will be achieved. Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) microscopy will be an important characterization tool, complemented by other microscopies (AMF, VLM, SEM). - Improvements in the theoretical understanding of NEXAFS spectra will be pursued. The accuracy of compositional quantitation will be improved.
Students will be trained in executing interdisciplinary research projects situated at the interface of Physics, Chemistry, Materials and Polymer Science. Fundamental understanding of polymer thin films will be advanced, which might improve applications such as coating, adhesives, lubricants, inks and a variety of thin films applications in the semiconductor industry. Part of the effort continues a longstanding collaboration with Dow Chemical.
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