Surface, Colloid and Polymer Chemistry Special Topics

The course will first be taught fall 2008, and thereafter either during the fall or spring semester when needed.
Descriptions of courses and their objectives are divided according to topic. Here, only three topics are listed, however; more topics may be added according to the need and accumulated interest.
This course consists of two independent subjects: Part A and B, which will be taught individually.
Part A: Soft Condensed Matter on Surfaces
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This course is intended to provide overview over several outstanding research topics from soft condensed matter that are relevant to nanoscience and nanotechnology. These are outlined below:
Introductory part
• Classification of surfaces – structure & functionality
• Overview of selected experimental probes for studying interfacial phenomena
Small molecules on surfaces
• Self-assembled monolayers on surfaces
• Chemical pattering of surfaces via soft-lithography: Formation & applications)
• Other methods of surface patterning
• Substrates with position-dependent gradient characteristics: Formation, properties & applications)
• Molecular & macromolecular templating
Macromolecules on surfaces
• Classification of polymers, basics of bulk and surface behavior
• Ordering of polymers on chemically and topographically corrugated surfaces
• Block copolymer assembly in thin films
• Macromolecular templating
• Surface-anchored polymer assemblies
• Combinatorial polymer surface engineering: Principles & applications
• Other structured polymer surfaces: liquid crystals, surface “rubbing”
• Computer simulations studies of polymers at structured surfaces
Selected special topics from surface soft condensed matter
• Liquid crystals and liquid-crystalline polymers at surfaces
• Physically “rough” surfaces: Concepts & applications
• Wetting and dewetting of polymers at surfaces
• Buckling instabilities in polymer films: What are they good for?
• “Smart”/responsive soft surfaces
• Soft condensed matter & nature
• Protein & cell partition at surfaces
• Interfacial engineering using bioinspired materials
Part B: Characterization of Colloidal Systems.
This topic covers theoretical and applied aspects of a selection of experimental techniques meant for characterization of colloidal systems (including polymers). The main emphasis will be put on experimental techniques developed specifically for characterization of the colloidal domain, however; where conventional techniques such as UV-vis and near-IR are described, the course will focus on aspects and applications unique to colloidal dispersions, such as colloidochromism. The main categories of this course can be listed as: Molecular spectroscopy, light scattering, surface/interface techniques, rheological measurement, calorimetry and microscopy. Examples from current research will be provided.

The aim of this topic is to provide PhD students with courses directly related to their PhD topics.
Part A: To develop a fundamental understanding of the possibilities and limitations of chemometrics/data analysis applied to experimental data, and to introduce and discuss advanced applications of multivariate analysis.
Part B: To provide an understanding of how to modify surfaces (both planar surfaces and nanoparticles) with polymers and other macromolecules towards specific applications within nanotechnology.
Part C: To familiarize the students with experimental techniques used to characterize colloidal systems (including polymers). Both the underlying theory for and possible applications of the various experimental techniques will be presented.

Seminars and self-study