Collapse of polymer brushes grafted onto planar ... - Wageningen UR

Chain Molecules at Interfaces: SCF Theory and Experiment: a summary
The symposium "Chain Molecules at Interfaces: SCF Theory and Experiment" was organized
by Frontis - Wageningen International Nucleus for Strategic Expertise, in collaboration with
the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science (LPCCS) of Wageningen
University and with financial support by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences, to
commemorate Jan Scheutjens, who died ten years ago in a car accident. The importance of
the self-consistent field (SCF) theory for mesoscopic physics can be compared with the
importance of quantum mechanics for theoretical physics. Jan Scheutjens was one of the
designers of the SCF theory, and the Wageningen LPCCS has built up a strong international
position in this field. Ten years ago Gerard Fleer and his co-workers pledged to take care of
Jan Scheutjens' heritage. The attendance of so many of the world's most recognized
scientists at this symposium proves that this field of research is still thriving at Wageningen
University.
The participants were unanimous in their judgement that this symposium was extremely
interesting; they were enthusiastic about the wealth of problems that can successfully be
attacked by the SCF theory. The approach by Scheutjens (and Fleer) is still seen as a
flexible tool to study complex problems involving chain molecules and concentration
gradients. There was no doubt about the historic importance of Jan Scheutjens in the
development of this theory.
The symposium brought together various disciplines within physical chemistry. Theoretical
modelling was the issue that united all those who attended the symposium, not only through
typically theoretical approaches, but also in various experimental aspects. The wide range of
subjects that was covered may be deemed unique. New experimental data on polymers at
surface boundaries were discussed in relation with modern developments in modelling of
them. The emphasis was on equilibrium analyses, but also their dynamic modelling was
discussed. Many of these systems have a direct technological relevance. In addition the
modelling of self-assembling systems was thoroughly discussed. This topic has an obvious
biological component. It is not surprising, therefore, that various speakers who usually find
themselves in very different parts of science met each other for the first time during this
symposium. These meetings can be characterized as "cross-pollinations" and must be
considered one of the successes of the symposium. Without doubt Wageningen was put on
the map once again as a centre for SCF modelling, not only in polymer physics, but also in
areas of relevance to biophysics.
The symposium was attended by ca 60 scientists. The 14 invited keynote speakers all had
one hour for their presentations, including discussion. Five additional speakers, selected on
the basis of their submitted poster abstracts, were each given 30 minutes for oral
presentations. The limited number of participants has certainly contributed to the often very
lively discussions that followed the thorough and generally excellent presentations. Also the
LPCCS's PhD students were allowed and able to take part in the discussions, which, of
course, were continued after the formal sessions. The relatively many posters were the
subject of lively discussions during breaks.
The participants represented many countries: Canada (2), Denmark (1), Germany (3),
Greece (3), Israel (1), Japan (2), Lebanon (1), Russia (3), Spain (1), Sweden (2), United
Kingdom (2), United States (8) and The Netherlands (ca 30). The importance of the SCF
method is recognized more strongly abroad than in The Netherlands; Wageningen University
is better known in this field outside the Dutch borders than at home. A limited number of
participants (5) came from industry.
Experimental aspects of polymers at boundaries were discussed by T. Russel (how to place
nano-sized rods perpendicular to a surface), T. Cosgrove (neutron scattering on surfaces