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 Program Objectives |
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 Macromolecules and polymers are deeply related to various phenomena of
life and exhibit unique properties as advanced functional materials. In
the Undergraduate Program of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, we
are carrying out a wide range of research related to such macromolecules
and polymers. Undergraduate students are provided with various educational
course options to develop their multidisciplinary faculties. Relevant activities
are characterized as follows:
(1) To investigate and clarify the nature of well known polymers by examining them in fresh ways. This will help students to clearly understand how little we know about the structure and properties of these polymers, even though it has been assumed that their characteristics have been fully researched.
(2) To create novel macromolecular materials and structures and to understand in which way they are unique. |
| Curriculum Overview |
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 The aforementioned two approaches are fundamentally related and lead towards
research into the unknown. Within this framework our current education
and research activities are devoted to the following specific fields:
(1) The structural relationship between macromolecules and
macromolecular nanostructures: this includes research on self-organized polymeric structures, multiphase
macromolecules, and liquid crystals. Computational approaches are also
pursued.
(2) Physical processes and the thermodynamics of viscoelastic
materials and soft matter: in this regard, rheology and polymeric material electro-rheology are also studied.
(3) Research and development of new materials and
structures: these include advanced materials with unique electronic and
photonic functions, and peculiar structures formed through nonlinear processes.
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