Abstract

The equilibrium structure and relaxation dynamics of macromolecules near phase interfaces are in most respects quite different from those in bulk polymer liquids. Polymer adsorption to rigid substrates reduces configurational freedom, retards molecular motion, and induces migration of higher molecular weight fractions in polydisperse materials away from interfaces. While the practical importance of these surface effects are perhaps easily appreciated in problems as diverse as extrusion processing of polymers to rheology of soft colloidal glasses, consequences for lubricant design, nanomaterials synthesis, and additives migration in polymer hosts are not. This presentation focuses on fundamental aspects as well as applications of tethered molecules near phase interfaces.

Biography

Lynden Archer is Professor and Marjorie L. Hart Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University. His research focuses on interfacial behavior and rheology of polymers and polymer/particle hybrids. Professor Archer is a fellow of the American Physical Society and is the author of over 100 scientific papers and 1 book. Archer received the bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Southern California in 1989 and the Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Stanford University in 1993. He was a postdoc at AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1993. Archer is the recipient of several awards, including the National Science Foundation Career Award, Dupont Young Professor Award, the 3M non-tenured faculty award, and the James & Mary Tien Excellence in Teaching Award.