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From Polymer Physics
University of Sheffield Polymer Physics Group
Introduction
Welcome to the homepage of the Polymer Physics Group. Our research interests include the physical properties of natural and synthetic polymers in thin films and near interfaces and surfaces. We form part of the Molecular and Macromolecular Materials Group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. We are also part of the Polymer Science Centre at the University. We have close ties with the group of Prof. Tony Ryan in the Department of Chemistry at Sheffield.
Applications of our work are in areas as diverse as molecular electronics, hair care, packaging, smart drug delivery. Indeed much of what we do is involved in the highly topical area of what is known as "soft nanotechnology"(Soft Machines Weblog). In order to carry out these studies we use a wide variety of experimental techniques including:
- Neutron and X-ray reflectivity
- Spectroscopic ellipsometry
- Confocal (fluorescence and optical) microscopy
- Quartz crystal microbalance
- Atomic force microscopy
- Light scattering
- Rheology
- FTIR spectroscopy (microscopy and ATR)
- Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.
- JKR adhesion measurements.
