Bridging Scales in Polymer Physics and Processing

Abstract

Understanding both the flow behavior of polymers during processing and the end-use properties of finished plastic products from a molecular picture of the constituent polymers has been a long-standing dream in polymer engineering and science. It is the goal of our work in the Polymer Physics Group to reduce the considerable discrepancy between dream and reality. Close interaction between theory and experiment is of crucial importance for further progress towards achieving this goal. Furthermore, the bridging of the gaps between chemical polymer structure, viscoelastic flow behavior, and non-homogeneous anisotropic properties in the solid state requires massive use of computer simulations. The Polymer Physics Group thus comprises three strongly interwoven branches, theory – experiment – simulation, as shown in this article.