Structural analysis of various star-shaped polymer gels by small-angle neutron scattering

Star polymers are unique polymers that have attracted industrial and scientific interest. I have conducted research on the structural analysis of various soft matter materials using neutrons, X-rays, and light scattering. Among them, I have been fascinated by the physics of star polymers and the corresponding gels. In my research for star polymers, I have revealed the unique osmotic properties of critical polymer clusters and excellent properties as biomaterials. Using contrast-tuned small-angle neutron scattering, I also visualized gel mesh in the partially deuterated star polymer gel network. After all these studies, I successfully developed extremely homogeneous gels based on the bond percolation of star polymers. (author)