International collaboration of the Department of Controlled Polymerization

1. In recent years, Group cooperated with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, U.S.A., in studying thin polymer films and their interfacial behavior. The films are modified with well-defined block copolymers having predetermined chemical structure and molecular parameters, which favorably affect adhesion properties and stability of thin polymer layers on solid substrates, even at elevated temperature.

2. Another collaboration proceeds with Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of North Carolina, Raleigh, U.S.A., in the field of controlled preparation of amphiphilic copolymers and polyelectrolytes, anchored on solid surfaces. Physical and chemical behavior of these layers is studied in dependence on their chemical and molecular parameters. Special attention is paid to synthesis of layers with various gradients and their application to separation of proteins.

3. Cooperation with industrial company has started, focused on controlled synthesis of functionalized polymers and copolymers, and development of novel initiating systems and polymerization methods.