particle side it became evident that a sophisticated toolbox of physical and theoretical methods was equally important, such methods including scanning probe and
electron microscopy techniques, but also solid-state NMR spectroscopy, single
molecule spectroscopy and scattering techniques.
Analogous considerations were initially made and obeyed throughout the project
for the accompanying theoretical methods ranging from computer simulations on
the basis of simplified models up to demanding ab initio procedures. The combined
theoretical and spectroscopic analysis provided particularly valuable information
on the structure and dynamics of complex assemblies as well as on fundamental
questions regarding polymer chain statistics.
During the course of the project there were many scientific accomplishments,
new ideas were explored and new challenges were created, all of which are
summarized and reviewed in the present volume of Advances in Polymer Science.
We hope that the results accumulated by the SFB will stimulate new research
projects not only locally in Mainz but also in the national and international polymer
community.
On behalf of all our colleagues we wish to thank the DFG for its continuous and
generous financial and administrative support. The invaluable judgments and critical advice of all the numerous voluntary reviewers involved in the SFB over the
years are gratefully acknowledged.
Thomas Basche ´
Klaus Mu ¨llen
Manfred Schmidt
Mainz, Germany
July 2013
vi
Preface
electron microscopy techniques, but also solid-state NMR spectroscopy, single
molecule spectroscopy and scattering techniques.
Analogous considerations were initially made and obeyed throughout the project
for the accompanying theoretical methods ranging from computer simulations on
the basis of simplified models up to demanding ab initio procedures. The combined
theoretical and spectroscopic analysis provided particularly valuable information
on the structure and dynamics of complex assemblies as well as on fundamental
questions regarding polymer chain statistics.
During the course of the project there were many scientific accomplishments,
new ideas were explored and new challenges were created, all of which are
summarized and reviewed in the present volume of Advances in Polymer Science.
We hope that the results accumulated by the SFB will stimulate new research
projects not only locally in Mainz but also in the national and international polymer
community.
On behalf of all our colleagues we wish to thank the DFG for its continuous and
generous financial and administrative support. The invaluable judgments and critical advice of all the numerous voluntary reviewers involved in the SFB over the
years are gratefully acknowledged.
Thomas Basche ´
Klaus Mu ¨llen
Manfred Schmidt
Mainz, Germany
July 2013
vi
Preface