Tuesday, 12/03/2024
2:00 PM
Steinman Hall #312
Professor Dimitris Vlassopoulos
Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (F.O.R.T.H.), Heraklion, Greece
“Tailoring the Properties of Soft Materials with Loopy Macromolecules“
ABSTRACT
In the absence of free ends, macromolecules form loopy structures with unique and intriguing properties. Unlike their linear counterparts, entangled ring polymers do not exhibit a plateau modulus. The addition of loopy structures to linear polymer matrices yields a delayed response due to threading. Rings exhibit weak shear thinning and strong extension rate thickening, which are not present in entangled linear polymers. They also form stronger depletion gels compared to their linear counterparts. These features provide ways to tailor the properties of polymers entropically through blending of different molecular structures.
BRIEF ACADEMIC/EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
- Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FO.R.T.H.), Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser (I.E.S.L.), Affiliated Faculty (2002-) Associate Scientist (1998-2002); Assistant Scientist (1995-1998); Contract Researcher (1992-1995).
- University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.Department of Materials Science & Technology, Professor (2007-);Associate Prof. (2002-2007). Department of Physics, Adjunct Associate Professor (Visiting Professorship 407), 1998-2002.
- Mobil Research & Development Corporation, Paulsboro, N.J., USA (1990-1991). Senior Staff Engineer, Paulsboro Research Laboratory, Process Research and Technical Service Division.
- Metelco S.A., Metamorphosis Attikis, Greece. Technical Consultant, printed circuit boards (1992); Production Engineer (1983-1984, summer 1981).
The underlying research theme is the molecular rheology and engineering of soft matter by devising strategies based on the design of model systems with adaptable molar mass, macromolecular architecture or tunable interactions and bridging polymers and colloids. Current topics include nonlinear rheometry, ring, branched and supramolecular polymers, macromolecular networks, jammed topological states, microrheology at extreme pressures, vitrimers.
