Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI -P) in Mainz is a center for research into new materials from polymers.

The MPI- P was established on 1 June 1983, is one of 82 institutions that maintains the Max Planck Society (MPG). Founding directors were Erhard W. Fischer (1929-2011) and Gerhard Wegner. Within the MPS, the Institute of Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section is assigned. At the Institute more than 500 employees are working from home and abroad with the aim of preparation and characterization of polymers to develop basic knowledge for new applications in electronics, energy, medical, automotive and materials engineering.

Work areas

The Institute is dedicated to basic research in the field of soft matter, especially polymers. The objective is to gain knowledge of the relationships between chemical structure, physical properties and function of macromolecular materials. To this end, the scientific work of the MPI -P is not strictly organized in departments, but across disciplines.

The main activities of the Institute can be summarized as follows:

  • Development of new synthetic methods
  • Preparation of polymers with non-conventional structure
  • Development of systems of selective functionality, especially of polymers that carry loads or certain molecules
  • Production of polymers with a columnar structure
  • Systems with aggregation through hydrogen bonding
  • Highly branched macromolecules
  • Model membranes
  • Ultra-thin films and layers
  • Defined structured organic-inorganic hybrid systems,
  • Surface coatings with organic functionality
  • Investigation of the molecular and collective dynamics of polymer systems
  • Transport phenomena in the glassy state
  • Organizational behavior and dynamics of block copolymers
  • Properties of synthetic and natural polyelectrolytes
  • Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • Electron spin resonance spectroscopy
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Optical nonlinear properties
  • Surface plasmon optics
  • Scanning probe microscopy, X-ray and light scattering
  • Rheology
  • Computer simulations of the statics and dynamics of melts, networks, and mixtures of the aggregation behavior
  • Analytic theory on the basis of statistical mechanics
  • Numerical computer simulation
  • Measurement of surface strength
  • Characterization of macromolecules at surfaces and interfaces
  • Interaction of macromolecules with other materials
  • Molecular Recognition
  • Composites
  • Adhesion
  • Nanotechnology

Directors

The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, comprises six departments, each of which is preceded by a director.

  • Molecular Electronics, Director: Paul Blom
  • Molecular Spectroscopy, Director: Mischa Bonn
  • Physics of Interfaces, Director: Hans- Jürgen Butt
  • Theory of Polymers, Director: Kurt Kremer
  • Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Director: Catherine Landfester
  • Synthetic Chemistry, Director: Klaus Müllen

Emeriti and former directors

  • Solid State Chemistry, 1983-2008 Director: Gerhard Wegner
  • Physics of Polymers, Director 1983-1997: Erhard E. Fischer
  • Materials Science, Director 1983-1997: Wolfgang Knoll

Research Groups

In addition to the main divisions exist of subsidized junior researchers conducted research groups.

  • Water at interfaces, group leader Ellen Backus, ERC Starting Grant
  • Active surfaces and materials, group leader Aránzazu del Campo, Minerva Programme
  • Raman of solid- liquid boundary phases, group manager Katrin F. Domke, DFG Emmy Noether Fellow
  • Theory of nanostructures and their transport properties, group leader Davide Donadio Max - Planck Research Group
  • 2D nanomaterials, group leader Xinliang Feng, ERC Starting Grant
  • Organic Optoelectronics, group manager Frédéric Laquai Max - Planck Research Group
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