Projects / Programmes
Physics of soft matter, surfaces, and nanostructures
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P002 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
physics of condensed matter, liquid crystals, surfaces, polymers, colloids, elastomers, molecular motors, nanostructures, STM, AFM, molecular dynamics, phase transitions, self-assembly, order parameter, NMR, relaxometry, Monte Carlo simulations, displays, nanotubes, actuators
Researchers (30)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The research will cover several complex soft matter systems with interesting functional properties: liquid crystal (LC) elastomers, molecular motors, photonic crystals, and artificially synthesized or spontaneously self-organized micro- and nano-structures. The goal of the proposed research is to coherently use experimental, theoretical, and simulation approaches to uncover how molecular interactions lead to the formation of complex structures, their behaviours, and processes of self-organization. Particular attention will be paid to the possible applications of these systems. The proposed program consists of the tasks:2D AND 3D PERIODIC STRUCTURES (PHOTONIC CRYSTALS). Freezing and melting of colloidal particles embedded in a 2D liquid and influenced by external periodic potentials will be investigated. Further, 3D fotonic crystals, formed by colloidal micro- or nano-particles regularly dispersed in a LC matrix, and LC-polymer composites formed by the holographically modulated phase separation, will be studied. SELF-ORGANIZATION OF COLLOIDAL PARTICLES ON MICROSTRUCTURED SURFACES in the presence of a liquid medium. We are interested how structural interactions in thermotropic LCs and interactions between interfaces in aqueous solutions change on going from the micro- to nano-region. Surfaces will be patterned by AFM nano-writting, laser writting, or by classic photo lithographic methods. Presumably, a preferential adsorption of particles favouring one type of boundary condition will be achieved.
STRUCTURAL AND FLUCTUATION FORCES IN LCS and model binary systems with modified surfaces. The nature of these forces in the vicinity of phase transitions will be investigated utilizing new experimental techniques of piezoresistive sensors and the total reflection microscope.LC ELASTOMERS are important multifunctional materials with the potential use even as artificial muscles. They are composed of mesogen units forming polymer chains, which are weakly cross linked. To understand molecular mechanisms of the thermo-elastic and opto-elastic effects we decided to study elastomers with admixed deuterated LC probes by deuterium NMR. A possible application of LC elastomers for new technological solutions in adaptive optics will be examined.
DEFECT STRUCTURES & NEW LYOTROPIC AND GLASSY PHASES. The influence of hydrodynamic flow on the dynamics of colloids in LC medium, creation, annihilation, and decay of defects, and fluctuations of topological disclination lines will be investigated. Further we will study the influence of a weak disorder on the phases and dynamics. A particular emphasis will be given to the glass-like behaviour.
NEW HIGH-CONTRAST WIDE-ANGLE LIGHT MODULATORS. Strongly twisted LC structures and effects of ionic contamination in liquid crystal displays will be modelled. The ion adsorption in boundary layers and the resulting unwanted memory effects in AM LCDs will be examined in detail.
MOLECULAR MOTORS: The mechanisms of oscillatory action of motors based on a description of their chemical kinetics will be examined and models for some unconventional motors will be developed. Particular attention will be paid to the synchronization of oscillators and further to spontaneous pattern formation and wave generation in systems where motors and biopolymers interact in a solution. INORGANIC NANOTUBE SYNTHESIS and their surface functionalization. The research will be aimed towards the synthesis of new materials belonging to the family of sulfides and selenides of transition metals. Further functionalization of the nanotube surface is expected to lead to the adsorption of proteins, DNA, and nanoparticles (e.g. with ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties).
SYNTHESIS OF ORDERED SURFACE NANOSTRUCTURES BY single molecule chemistry performed in a nanoreactor based on the STM will be developed. Thermal and structural stability of nanostructures synthesized by assembling individual atoms and molecules will be studied. Further
Significance for science
The main task of our group was to obtain new knowledge in the field of soft matter, surface, and nanostructure physics, and to apply it in the joint effort to develop new technologies and materials. Comparing its content, novelty, and impact, our research easily copes with the European and world-wide efforts in colloidal science, nanotechnology, instrumentation technology, and their applications. The international acknowledgement of our achievements is reflected not only in the high citation rate of our publications, but also in form of international awards and appointments: the Samsung Mid-Career Award 2008 was awarded to Igor Muševič, while Slobodan Žumer was elected president of the International Liquid Crystal Society for the period 2008-12. An essential element for the success of our group is its equilibrated coverage of our research field, covering experiments, theory, computer simulations, as well as application development. This synergy is our major advantage in the international competition. To our knowledge, there is presently no other laboratory capable of building colloidal superstructures comparable to ours. Moreover, even world-wide there are only few laboratories with the ability of single-atom manipulation at low temperature, or the ability to synthesize comparable inorganic nanotubes and particles. Our research and technology achievements listed in Chapters 2 and 5 provide an excellent starting point for the next research period. In the future, we expect the development of nematic colloids for optical materials, energy transformation and storage materials, as well as materials for information storage and quantum computing, and for single-molecule identification and chemistry.
Significance for the country
The research carried out within our group has a significant impact for the sustained development of Slovenia. Indirect impact: Our research achievements are at the forefront world-wide in a number of fields; this therefore significantly strengthens the national identity and recognition of Slovenia. On the other hand, the group represents a core that absorbs foreign knowledge and know-how into Slovenia. Only scientists actively participating in international collaborations can promptly follow new scientific developments, and can transfer these, with some criticism, into their local environment. We must stress that our group also invests significant effort in presenting science to the broad community in Slovenia. Our key research was also essential for the set-up of several university courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to their research, most members of the group teach at the universities in Ljubljana or in Maribor, which is the best pathway for the integration of latest research developments into all stages of the teaching process. Within the group, several PhD theses have been prepared and published, providing high-level training and education for a number of young researchers, which was essential for their future employment. Here it is important that the young researcher's training takes place in an internationally recognized group. Direct impact (national economy): Our liquid crystal research covers the field of optical applications, where the new Slovene small and mid-sized high-tech industry has achieved a tremendous success (Fotona, Balder, and Optotech companies). This can be mainly attributed to good existing knowledge of physics and optics. For example, a spin-off company of JSI, Balder, which is a licensed manufacturer of automatic LC protective optical filters (used in welding and medicine), has covered a 10% share of the world market in 2007. The company managed to include their products into the sales catalogue of the leading welding equipment manufacturer in Europe, ESAB. This was accompanied by another breakthrough in the US market. Further, the group members have participated in a workgroup appointed to prepare the eye protection ISO standard, as well as in several major international projects (funded by EU and NATO) in the fields of optical shutter eye protection, application of liquid-crystalline elastomers, and nanoparticle synthesis. These activities made our local research become an integral part of global development activities. The scientific contacts with competent individuals and institutions from abroad allow for rapid exchange of knowledge and ideas. We expect that this is going to enable the emerging high-tech industry in Slovenia to successfully compete on the global market in future. Here we summarize 3 types of events that are not included in the current review, but are present in the 2009-15 project proposal. • Organization of 4 international conferences, ranging from a major international conference in Ljubljana, to a specialized workshop abroad. •The group members have held a total of 35 invited and plenary lectures at international conferences. •A spin-off company of JSI, Nanotul Ltd., has been founded with the aim to synthesize and manufacture novel hybrid materials for lubricants, strengthening fibers, composites, anorganic materials for photovoltaic cells, catalysts, etc.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
