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Research Areas of Interest Links
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Complex Fluids Under Shear

2D SAXS Pattern

Morphology processing correlations in complex polymer systems play a key role in various advanced materials, such as thermoplastic elastomers.

Traditional manufacturing processes often lead to poly-disperse morphologies of these materials. Precise control over microstructure is important even for conventional applications because mechanical properties such as impact strength and damping coefficient depend strongly on morphology.

In addition, a large number of emerging novel applications of these materials in diverse fields require the production of highly ordered, defect-free materials, these include:


The ability to manipulate and control the microstructure is essential for these applications. Our primary research interest is exploring physical mechanisms underlying the behavior of self-assembled complex polymeric materials under external mechanical fields. The understanding of these mechanisms will eventually lead to invention of novel processing techniques of the materials.

Experimental techniques explored:



Relevant Publications:

A. Jain, L. M. Hall, C. B. W. Garcia, S. M. Gruner, U. Wiesner, "Flow induced alignment of block copolymer directed organic-inorganic nanostructured silica-type hybrids", Macromolecules 38, 2005, 10095-10100

M. Langela, U. Wiesner, H. W. Spiess, M. Wilhelm, "Microphase reorientation in Block copolymer melts as detected via FT Rheology and 2D SAXS", Macromolecules 35, 2002, 3198 – 3204

U. Wiesner, "Flow alignment of block copolymers" in: The Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Pergamon, An Imprint of Elsevier Science, Oxford, UK 2001

H. Leist, D. Maring. T. Thurn-Albrecht, U. Wiesner, "Double Flip of Orientation for a Lamellar diblock copolymer under Shear", J. Chem. Phys., 110, 1999, 8225-8228

U. Wiesner, "Feature Article: Block copolymers under large amplitude oscillatory shear flow: order and dynamics", Macromol. Chem. Phys. 198, 1997, 3319-3352

Y. Zhang, U. Wiesner, Y. Yang, T. Pakula, H. W. Spiess, "Annealing Effects on Orientation in Dynamically Sheared Diblock.Copolymers", Macromolecules 29, 1996, 5427 – 5431

Y. Zhang, U. Wiesner, H. W. Spiess, "Frequency Dependence of Orientation in Dynamically Sheared Diblock Copolymers", Macromolecules 28, 1995, 778 - 781

Suggested Readings:

Rolald G. Larson, The Structure and Rheology of Complex Fluids, Oxford University Press, 1999

Ian W. Hamley, The Physics of Block Copolymers, Oxford University Press, 1998

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Wiesner Research Group - Cornell University