The proposed research will develop a novel, general purpose and widely applicable method to use light scattering to non-evasively measure the elastic properties of 'soft' materials. This new technique will extend significantly the range over which elastic properties an be measured and will directly relate the response of the medium to its internal dynamics. The technique will be exploited to obtain new insight into the origin of the elasticity in a variety of disordered, or glassy, 'soft' materials, including colloidal suspensions near their glass transition, polymer solutions and polymer melts, compressed emulsions, networks of bio-polymers such as DNA and actin, and slowly aging systems. %%% The proposed research will develop a novel, laser-based method to non-invasively probe essential properties of a wide class of materials, including gels, and biomolecules such as DNA and actin, a fibrous molecule that imparts strength to cells. The technique will measure the mechanical properties of the materials, thus determining whether their behavior is more 'solid- like' (as in gelatin) or fluid-like (as in honey), and will significantly extend the range of applicability of traditional methods. The knowledge gained by these studies will provide new insight into underlying origins of the mechanical properties of the materials investigated.. It will also facilitate the application of the materials in commercial or medical areas. ***

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Materials Research (DMR)
Application #
9631279
Program Officer
H. Hollis Wickman
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1996-09-15
Budget End
1999-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
$275,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104