Projects / Programmes
Fizika mehkih snovi: modeliranje, eksperimenti in aplikacije (Slovene)
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
P002 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
P250 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: structure, thermal and mechanical properties, crystallography, phase equilibria |
P260 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic and optical properties, supraconductors, magnetic resonance, relaxation, spectroscopy |
Researchers (10)
Organisations (1)
no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,361 |
Abstract
The program is primarily focused on modeling, experimental research, and application of partially ordered soft matter in contact with a solid surface. The interaction of soft matter with the substrate, broken symmetry, and a finite number of molecules in the cluster, which dominate properties of such systems, are of basic importance for the understanding of phenomena in the field of condensed matter physics generally.
Currently, the main topics of the proposed research are related to liquid crystals in confined geometry, where surface ordering, forces, defects, and molecular dynamics are studied. Special attention is given to the understanding of surface anchoring, Casimir forces and interactions in the dispersion of polymer network or colloid particles within the nematic phase. The spectrum of thermal excitations in the presence of defects is studied. The knowledge of these phenomena is important in developing volume-stabilized ferroelectric cells for display application where an embedded polymer network increases the mechanical stability of the cell, its inherent bistability, the contrast, and the gray scale.
In parallel, the program is planned to extend step by step towards more complex soft matter systems, including lipid vesicles to simulate biological membranes, “smart” gels, aerogels and complex polymer structures. In the first step, the use of vesicles for molecular transport of biologically active molecules and genes is investigated. It is particularly important for medical application. Another important topic is the study of the bending elastic modulus of modified vesicles and of the interaction between adjacent lipid bilayers by NMR.
The program includes theoretical and experimental investigations of soft matter. Theory is accompanied by computer simulations while the experimental methods
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report