9531161 Schick This project is concerned with various aspects of self- assembling systems, such as block copolymers and lipids. Microphase separation will be considered in systems of potential technological importance, such as diblock, triblock and dendritic copolymers. There will also be a study of the ternary mixtures of diblock and homopolymers, an examination of the swollen lamellar phases and the effect of fluctuations on them. The interfacial profiles and their energy of the interfaces between different microphases will be calculated. Finally there will be analysis of the self- assembly effects in biological membranes during electroporation and rupture. %%% A better understanding of self-assembly in polymers is the objective in this grant. The self-assembly involves phase separation in a binary and ternary mixtures and the properties of the interfaces. There are special phases and configurations that are studied for their properties. The technological applications of the systems studied here are in the vast range between detergent and drug transport through the membranes and cells.
