BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Micromechanics of near-ideal polymer networks -   Dr Laurence.Bras
 sart\, Department of Engineering Science\, Oxford
DTSTART:20201127T140000Z
DTEND:20201127T150000Z
UID:TALK153415@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Hilde Hambro
DESCRIPTION:Understanding the relationships between the structure of polym
 er networks and their mechanical properties remains a long-standing challe
 nge in polymer physics. In recent years\, a new paradigm for network forma
 tion has emerged\, whereby near-ideal hydrogels are produced by the cross-
 coupling of branched macromolecules with well-defined chain length. Such n
 ear-ideal networks constitute an excellent model system to revisit this qu
 estion\, as well as a promising platform for the design of new materials w
 ith tuneable properties. In this work\, we systematically investigate the 
 relative contributions of various network parameters (chain length\, cross
 link coordination\, second-order loops) to the elasticity of near-ideal po
 lymer networks using a computational random network model. Numerical resul
 ts are compared to classical estimates of rubber elasticity theory. Our re
 sults highlight the role of the chain pre-stretch on the mechanical respon
 se\, as well as the importance of topological defects on the elastic prope
 rties. We also compare our results to experimental data for near-ideal tet
 ra-arm PEG hydrogels. 
LOCATION:zoom 853 4440 7455 - for password email  hh463@cam.ac.uk 
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR