The positions and trajectories of deformed polymers and networks

This laboratory is interested to understand the heterogeneity that underpins an overall rheological response. To this end, we are integrating fluorescence and phosphorescence imaging with controlled rheological polymer deformations. Integrating epifluorescence imaging with a rheometer, we image individual molecules. Integrating new mechanophores with polymerized networks, we image individual stressed chains. Integrating polymer deformation with a newly-designed approach for fast STED (super-resolution) imaging, we also go below diffraction limitations. Result findings will be discussed.