About Us

Materials' response to internal or external stimuli formulates the basis of novel materials for the 21st Century. Polymeric materials, and in particular polymeric films, have paced the evolution of technologies for the last 50 years and their importance in the advancement of global growth is undeniable. The property-driven view of structures and polymer film processing for the creation of value, which is shared by modern scientists, embraces an essential complexity of polymeric films.

The scientific objective of the Center is to understand responses of biological systems, development of synthetic routes for macromolecular chain responses, development of environmental stimuli functions enabling their film formation and analysis, development of techniques for predicting environmental responses, and understanding formation processes in polymeric films. IRG-1 focuses on design, synthesis, and understanding of molecular processes in biomaterials, self-assembling amphipatic protein films, response-driven water-soluble macromolecules that mimic biosystems, and liquid crystals as well as environmentally compliant 'smart' molecules. A scientific understanding of film formation and structures that develops as a result of it, while central to the demand for the production of films with process-driven and response-driven performance, will be essential in exploiting breakthroughs in emerging technologies. For that purpose films or film substrates that possess responsive and graded molecular entities are the research focus of IRG-2. Processes and stimuli-response entities forming films as well as chemico-physical and environmental conditions leading to film formation are investigated on molecular levels. Another objective of IRG-2 is the development of new characterization techniques.

Both IRGs are integrated into one scientific Center body via collaborative research projects, utilization of novel molecular probes capable of reaching previously unattainable detection limits, and integration of scientific research and education. High quality, multi-disciplinary research teams are assembled from polymer science, biochemistry and chemistry, physics, and biological sciences. The emerging area of nano-technologies includes recent developments of ultra-structured organic/inorganic hybrid materials and functional films. Two seed projects are conducted annually and focus on high risk projects.

The education outreach mission of the Center is the development of a comprehensive educational program including new laboratory courses, web-based tutorials, and world-wide presentations supporting conventional and distance learning. The goal is to reach new levels of scientific discoveries that will be integrated into education and outreach.