Polymeric Nano- templates and Nano-structures 

In recent years an increasing number of physicists are focusing their attention on interesting physics found in biological and chemical systems in the nano scale. This branch of condensed matter physics is called "soft condensed matter" and aims at providing better understanding of biological and chemical systems, processes and materials. We study theoretically physical properties of biomaterials and macromolecular materials such as proteins, DNA and other polymers. Most of these water soluble polymers and macromolecules are charged. Hence, special attention is paid to the inter-relation between their electrodynamical properties and their structural ones. We mention now several specific projects which are investigated in our group.

Recent works involved new models to estimate the stiffness of charged macromolecules and its affect on the molecular conformation in aqueous solutions.

The adsorption of charged polymers onto oppositely charged surfaces is explored and results from a competition between electrostatic attraction to the charged surface and loss of entropy.

We study heterogenous macromolecules such as polymer chains composed of several distinctive blocks (sub-units). Because the blocks have different physical properties, they induce morphological changes and transitions. Recently, the response of such systems to electric fields was explored.

Polymeric templating

• "Onset of DNA aggregation in presence of mono- and multivalent counterions". Burak, Y. Ariel, G. ; Andelman, D. Biophysical Journal, (2003), 85, 2100.
• Neutral and charged polymers at interfaces". Netz, R. R. ; Andelman, D. Physics Reports, (2003), 380, 1-95.
• "Structural changes in block copolymers: Coupling of electric field and mobile ions." Tsori, Y. ; Tournilhac, F. ; Andelman, D. ; Leibler, L. Physical Review Letters, (2003), 90, 145504.