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Key areas - interdisciplinary task groups

In order to intensify both the interdisciplinary and international colaboration work within the EGS we decided to group the running research projects according to the following topics:

  • Fundamentals
  • Heterogeneous Systems
  • Controlled Polymerization
  • Materials
    •  One day of the semi-annually hold workshop was dedicated to team work, that is, the latest results of the ongoing projects were presented and discussed in the respective task groups. In addition, extensions for running collaborations and future projects were projected. The broad range of experimental expertise of the task group members on synthesis and characterization of polymeric materials has proven to be extremely advantageous for supporting each other´s work by stimulating new ideas and helping with unsettled problems. These task groups were the starting point for the development of new syntheses and analytical techniques as well as tailored simulation program packages, which were commonly explored and used by the individual research groups and exploited for the particular research efforts. The various experimental resources within the EGS were made available to the members in an easy and straight-forward manner in order to allow quick access. Travel costs were covered by the DFG and NWO, respectively. The success of our interdisciplinary task groups is demonstrated by an increasing number of joint publications, either being published or in preparation. Involving junior researchers in the ongoing jointly performed projects teaches scientific diversity, interdisciplinary research and teamwork to the undergraduates in an early stage of their education. The four key areas, which are coordinated by one or two academics, are outlined below:

    EGS Research Areas

    Fundamentals

    Coordinator: S. Beuermann (Göttingen)
    The availability of reliable rate coefficients of radical polymerization for wide ranges of temperature and pressure, respectively, is of immanent importance for the detailed understanding of the individual reaction steps of homo- and copolymerization. In addition, knowledge about these rate coefficients is vital for modeling and understanding of solvent effects.

    Heterogeneous Systems

    Coordinator: A.M. van Herk (Eindhoven)
    Kinetic aspects of emulsion polymerization of homo-, co-, and terpolymers as well as impact of polymerization conditions, initiator and emulsifier on microstructure and particle size are highly relevant for improving this economically important polymerization technique.

    Controlled Polymerization

    Coordinator: P. Vana (Göttingen), M. Drache (Clausthal)
    Various controlled radical polymerization techniques are currently available for the controlled synthesis of complex macromolecular architectures, such as block, comb, and star polymers. The most prominent of these methods are SFRP (stable free radical polymerization), ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) and RAFT (reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization). The complete kinetic scheme of the RAFT polymerization is still under discussion in the scientific community and is tried being elucidated via dedicated experimental approaches, supported by modeling procedures for which advanced and more effective simulation modules are required.

    Materials

    Coordinator: W. Oppermann ( Clausthal)
    Grafting methods in conjunction with cross-linking processes in polymer solution or on solid surfaces allow for the generation of complex polymeric structures. For obtaining these structures, a multitude of different polymerization techniques (e.g., conventional radical, living radical, cationic) may either be employed alone or used in various combinations.

    © TU Clausthal 2005 · Impressum · Letzte Änderung: 23.2.2010 · Verantwortlich: Webmaster