POLYMERS Vol.58　No.10 October 2009
POLYMERS　Vol.58　No.10
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COVER STORY
Polymer Science by Quantum Beam Source
Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account
Analytical Techniques of Invisible Phenomena Kazuhiro KAMIGUCHI
<Abstract>For the purpose of exploring one of the guiding principles for materials R&D, the author has been studying polymer properties and analytical chemistry by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
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My World Expanded through Research Life Ayae SUGAWARA
<Abstract>It had always been my dream to be a scientist. After I went into research life, I started to realize that it is a privilege and also a responsibility of scientists to be involved in this society through the scientific point of view.
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COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews
Current and Future Trends in Synchrotron Radiation Experiments on Polymers Naoto YAGI
<Abstract>Advanced experimental methods using a synchrotron radiation source, especially those useful for polymer sciences, are reviewed. With the advent of the third generation sources, several new methods have been developed in the last decade. Not only the improvements of the scattering and diffraction measurements, X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and various imaging techniques have been improved and applied to polymers. In addition to the technical development, importance of the applications should be stressed.
Keywords: Synchrotron Radiation / X-ray / Ultra-Small-Angle Scattering / X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy / Polymer Science
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Neutron Scattering for Polymer Science at Reactor and Spallation Sources Satoshi KOIZUMI
<Abstract>The neutron, having a variety of intrinsic properties (no charge, mass, spin and magnetic moment), is a marvelous probe to explore the structure of polymer materials. We report characteristic methods of small-angle neutron-neutron scattering (SANS), which are performed at reactor and spallation sources. A time-of-flight method at a spallation source employs neutrons of wide wavelength distribution in order to observe a wide length scale from ångström to nanometer (from small-angle to wide-angle scattering regions). At a reactor source, on the other hand, a monochromatic neutron is utilized for precise observation of ultra-small-angle scattering, corresponding to a range from nano to micron meters. By combining both facilities, polymer science is further improved into exploring hierarchical structures in polymeric materials.
Keywords: Small-Angle Neutron Scattering / Spallation Source / Research Reactor / Time of Flight Method / Neutron Spin Echo / Neutron Reflectometry
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Advanced Polymer Research using High-Intensity Positron Beam Ryoichi SUZUKI
<Abstract>The positron is known to be sensitive to atomic/nano scale voids, which affects macroscopic properties of polymers. High-intensity positron beams, generated by accelerators or atomic reactors, enable us to perform high-speed measurements on near surface regions, thin films, small regions, etc. We report on the present status of high-intensity positron beam technology and applications to polymer research.
Keywords: Positron / Lifetime Measurement / Accelerator / Polymer Research
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COVER STORY: Topics and Products
In-situ Observation of Structure Formation in Polymer Processing Hiroki MURASE
<Abstract>In-situ X-ray scattering in polymer processing is a crucial method to elucidate the mechanism of structure formation in the process. Fiber spinning is one such process primarily imposing extensional deformation on polymeric melt at the spinline during rapid cooling. In-situ small-angle X-ray scattering using synchrotron radiation on the spinning process allows direct observation of the transient structure developing in the process.
Keywords: Synchrotron Radiation / Small-Angle X-ray Scattering / Fiber Spinning / Crystallization
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Structural Analysis of Block Copolymer in Self-Assembling Process using Time-Resolved GI-SAXS Kazuyuki OKADA
<Abstract>The Self-Assembling method is one of the important technologies for nanofabrication. We performed the structural analysis of block copolymer in a self-assembling process using Time-Resolved GI-SAXS.
Keywords: Time-Resolved GI-SAXS / Block Copolymer / Self-Assembling
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Morphology Observation of Polymer Composites with X-Ray Imaging Techniques Hiroyuki KISHIMOTO
<Abstract>X-ray imaging with synchrotron radiation is a useful technique for the observing of microscopic structures in soft materials. We carried out the real-time observation of contact behavior between the icy road and studless tire containing glass fibers by the use of refraction-contrast imaging technique. Additionally the determination of three-dimensional structure of filler in rubber was performed by imaging X-ray tomography coupled with phase-contrast techniques.
Keywords: Refraction-Contrast imaging / Imaging CT / Phase Contrast CT / Rubber / Soft Material
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Structural Analysis of Polymer Gel Network by SANS Kazutoshi HARAGUCHI
<Abstract>We analyzed the structure of nanocomposite gels with a unique organic (polymer)/inorganic (clay) network in both its static and deformed states by small angel neutron scattering (SANS) using the contrast variation method.
Keywords: SANS / Nanocomposite / Hydrogel / Network
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Polyolefin Structure Analyses by Neutron Scattering Yoshinobu NOZUE and Takashi SAKURAI
<Abstract>Molecular chain information such as interaction between polymers and chain response to the flow field is essential for the molecular design of polymer with better properties. In this topic, neutron scattering applications to the miscibility evaluation of polyolefins and to the molecular analysis of shish-kebab structure are shown.
Keywords: Neutron Scattering / Miscibility / Shish-Kebab
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Analysis of Polymer thin Films and Interfaces Masashi HARADA
<Abstract>Neutron reflectivity (NR) is a helpful tool for analyzing polymer thin films and interfaces. Swelling behavior of Nafion thin films and interdiffusion at bilayer interfaces, which are difficult to investigate by the other methods, have been studied. Accessibility to NR is growing as the number of NR instruments is increasing around the world.
Keywords: Thin Films / Interfaces / Neutron Reflectivity / Nafion / Swelling / Bilayers / Interdiffusion
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Local Vacancies in Optical Modulation Polymers Studied by Positron Annihilation Lifetime Measurements Akira SHIMAZU
<Abstract>The ability of a slow positron beam to probe vacancies at the surface and in bulk regions of optical modulation polymers was demonstrated. A slow positron beam system was found to be a powerful tool to study the change in the microstructure driven by photopolymerization of novel optical modulation polymers.
Keywords: Positron Annihilation Lifetime (PAL) / Vacancy / Slow Positron Beam / Polyvinylmethacrylate / Photopolymerization / Free Volume / Refractive Index
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Front-Line Polymer Science
Design of New Nanobiomaterials by Nanogel Engineering Yoshihiro SASAKI and Kazunari AKIYOSHI
<Abstract>Nanosize hydrogels (nanogels) are polymer nanoparticles with three dimensional networks that are formed by chemically and/or physically cross-linking of polymer chains. Recently, various nanogels have been designed especially for biomedical applications. In this review, recent progresses in syntheses of nanogels and nanogel-based materials for applications to nanomedicine such as drug delivery system and bioimaging are described.
Keywords: Nanogel / Hydrogel / Associating polymer / Amphiphilic polymers / Polysaccharide / Drug Delivery System / Biomedical Applications
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