Harm-Anton Klok

Research at the Laboratory of Polymer (LP) focuses on the development of novel advanced polymeric materials with potential applications in optics, electronics or medicine. The philosophy is that precise control over nanoscale structure is an important prerequisite to tailor polymer properties. To this end, a bottom-up approach is followed, which starts with designing a new material at the molecular level, in order to be able to predict and control its nanoscale organization. For synthesis, a broad range of methods, including both controlled / living polymerization methodologies as well as automated parallel synthesis are used. Finally, the nanoscale structure of the new materials is investigated, using, for example, scattering techniques or microscopy methods and correlated to macroscopic materials properties. This ""structure - property relationships"" approach should ultimately allow a priori design of new materials with predictable nanoscale structure and macroscopic properties.The main topics of research are biologically-inspired polymers, biofunctional surfaces and precision polymerization.

Publications

Selected publications

H.-A. Klok, J. Rodr�guez-Hern�ndez Macromolecules 2002, 35, 8718 - 8723. , 2002	Dendritic-graft polypeptides
H.-A. Klok, J.J. Hwang, S.N. Macromolecules 2002, 35, 746 - 759., 2002	Iyer, S.I. Stupp, Cholesteryl-(L-lactic acid)n building blocks for self-assembling biomaterials
P. Papadopoulos, G. Floudas, H.-A. Klok, I. Schnell, T. Pakula, Biomacromolecules 2003, accepted for publication., 2003	Self-assembly and dynamics of poly(g-benzyl-l-glutamate) (PBLG) peptides

Teaching & PhD

Teaching

Materials Science and Engineering

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

PhD Students

Carrara Nicola, Hu Fei, Lopandic Maja, Lê Thanh Thi Hà, Marcinek Maria Malgorzata, Vosberg Berlind,

Past EPFL PhD Students

Ayer Maxime , Bader Lisa Patricia Elisabeth , Barbey Raphaël , Battistella Claudia , Berti Cristiana , Bilgiç Tune Tugba , Bleich Julian Nicolas , Boarino Alice , Cavusoglu Ataman Nariye , Danial Maarten , Desseaux Solenne , Diaz Gomez Jonas De Jesus , Estry Amelia Emily-Kay , Franz Nadja , Günay Kemal Arda , Ibanescu Sorin Alexandru , Ji Sanhao , Kadlecova Zuzana , Kolesov Vitaliy , Meng Zhao , Metze Friederike Katharina , Mocny Piotr , Nuhn Harald , Paripovic Dusko , Portmann Bojana , Raduta Ana Maria , Sahin Kurtuldu Görçin Görkem , Sant Sabrina , Scholl Markus , Schuster Markus , Schüwer Nicolas Bertrand , Sugnaux Caroline , Tekleab Ghezae , Thomsen Tanja , Tugulu Stefano , Wang Jian , Wu Xingyu ,

Courses

Soft matter

The first part of the course is devoted to the self-assembly of molecules. In the second part we discuss basic physical chemical principles of polymers in solutions, at interfaces, and in bulk. Finally, we look at colloids and emulsions.

Polymer chemistry and macromolecular engineering

Know modern methods of polymer synthesis. Understand how parameters, which determine polymer structure and properties, such as molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, topology, microstructure can be controlled by proper choice of polymerization method and optimization of reaction condition

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