| POLYMERS Vol.58 No.7 |
| >> Japanese | >> Chinese | >> Korean |
COVER STORY Self-Organization and Polymeric Materials |
| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Make Negative a Positive | Syuji FUJII |
| <Abstract>Researchers often encounter unexpected phenomena. If the researchers observe the phenomena carefully from different points of view, think deeply and act positively, it should be possible to open doors to exciting new discoveries. |
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| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Construction of Supramolecular Structures and
Molecular Machines Based on Self-Organization |
Akira HARADA and Hiroyasu YAMAGUCHI |
| <Abstract>As
recently reported, self-organization of molecules leads to the formation
of various types of supramolecular architectures. Now we suceeded in synthesizing
rotaxanes bearing a ring component on an axial molecule with a dumbbell
shape and supramolecular polymers in high yield. We review recent studies
and describe a new perspective on the construction of supramolecular assemblies
and molecular machines by self-organization. Keywords: Self-Organization / Supramolecular Structure / Rotaxane / Molecular Machine |
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| Dissipative Structures in Polymeric System | Olaf KARTHAUS |
| <Abstract>Self-organization
is the process of forming dynamic superstructures from more basic units.
Self-organized structures may arise from dissipative structures, which
are not in thermodynamic equilibrium and thus dissipate energy. This makes
these structures inherently difficult to control, but on the other hand,
allows the formation of complex structures from very simple starting conditions
without external guidance. Here, I will review the basic concepts of dissipative
structures and give some examples of how this bottom-up approach can be
used to produce microstructured assemblies. Keywords: Energy Dissipation / Convection / Dewetting / Patterning / Photonics / Electronics |
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| Light-Induced Self-Ordering Phenomena in Polymer Mixtures | Hideyuki NAKANISHI and Qui TRAN-CONG-MIYATA |
| <Abstract>Regular
structures resulting from the competition between antagonistic interactions
in polymeric systems were obtained by coupling phase separation with photo-cross-link
reactions and photopolymerization. Here, spatially graded morphology and
morphologies with an arbitrary distribution of length scales were shown
as the two examples for the structures resulting from the competing interactions
in polymer mixtures. Keywords: Interpenetrating Polymer Networks / Photo-cross-link Reaction / Photopolymerization, Competing Interactions, Stationary Nonequilibrium Process / Self Ordering / Graded Co-continuous Structure / Computer-Assisted Irradiation Method |
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| Applications of Self-Assembling Polymers to Drug Targeting | Masayuki YOKOYAMA |
| <Abstract>In
this review, applications of self-assembling polymeric materials to drug
targeting systems are explained with a focus on polymeric micelle drug
carriers. The definition and methodologies of drug targeting are briefly
summarized, then examples of self-assembling polymeric drug carrier systems
are introduced. Keywords: Drug Targeting / Polymeric Micelle / Self-Assembling Polymer / DDS |
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| Self-Organizing Gels: Polymer Gels as 4-Dimensional Materials with Spatio-Temporal Function | Ryo YOSHIDA |
| <Abstract>The
design of novel functional gels with spatio-temporal structures and their
applications has been introduced in a diverse range of research on materials
design utilizing self-organization. We propose a new concept of materials
design to create unique functions by construction of not only self-assembly
based on molecular design but also dissipative structure based on systematic
design in gels. Keywords: Self-Organization / Dissipative Structure / Spatio-Temporal Structure / Polymer Gels / Self-Oscillation |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Periodic Microstructure Formation Induced in Photopolymerization using Parallel Ultraviolet Light Irradiation | Toshiaki HATTORI |
| <Abstract>Periodic
microstructure formation occurs spontaneously when polymerization is initialized
by parallel UV light irradiation. The microstructure is thought to be
dissipative structure. Keywords: Self-Organization / Photopolymerization / Parallel UV Light |
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| Novel Polyolefin Materials Possessing Self-Organization Ability in Water | Makoto SUZUKI and Kaori MATOISHI |
| <Abstract>Well-defined
hydrophilic polyolefin materials have been newly developed. These polymer
materials disperse in water and form worm-like fibers and nano-particles
through self-organization. Keywords: Water Dispersion / Nanoparticle / Polyolefin / Self-Organization |
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| Nanolithography using Self-Assembling Method and Application to Electronic Devices | Koji ASAKAWA |
| <Abstract>The
performance of electronic devices has greatly improved accompanied by
the smaller feature sizes of their parts. Block copolymer lithography
can fabricate smaller patterns compared to the conventional photolithography
because it forms nano-scale periodic patterns and can be transferred to
substrates. Several kinds of devices are about to be realized. Keywords: Block Copolymer / Self Assembling / Lithography / Resist |
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| Self-Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Hydrogel | Hidenori YOKOI and Takatoshi KINOSHITA |
| <Abstract> Self-assembling
peptides RASDA16-1 (RASARADARASARADA) and RASDA16-2 (RASARADARADARASA)
formed a nanofiber scaffold and a transparent hydrogel, respectively,
under neutral conditions. Keywords: Self-Assembly / Peptide/ β-Sheet / Nanofiber / Hydrogel |
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| Energy-Related Devices Fabricated with Block Copolymers | Yoshinori NISHIKITANI |
| <Abstract>Our
research focuses on the development of energy-related devices such as
batteries, capacitors and organic solar cells by using block copolymer,
which is one of our specialties. We have developed gel-type polymer solid
electrolytes consisting of poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)
block copolymers for dye-sensitized solar cells. We have successfully
proposed the donor/acceptor-type block copolymers for bulk heterojunction
organic thin-film solar cells. Keywords: Energy-Related Device / Block Copolymer / Organic Solar Cell / Polymer Solid Electrolyte / Donor / Acceptor-Type Block Copolymer |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Soft Interface: Novel Functions of Polymer Interface | Masahiro FUJITA and Mizuo MAEDA |
| <Abstract>An
interface composed of soft matters such as a polymer is mobile, diffuse,
and active. Such soft interfaces contain water molecules, ions, and substrates.
Well-defined surfaces with densely grafted polymer brushes and colloidal
nanoparticles with such brushes show peculiar interesting properties,
which are applicable for biomaterials and biosensors. Properties and functions
of the soft interfaces are discussed especially on nonionic and anionic
polymers. Keywords: Soft Interface / Polymer Brush / Polyelectrolyte / PEG / DNA |
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| Copyright(C) 2009 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan All Rights Reserved. |