1. Student project

Bicontinuous morphologies of liquid metal – block copolymer blends for soft materials with enhanced conductivity and stretchability.

The project explores directed assembly of gallium-based liquid metal droplets within copolymer matrices into continuous networks. Eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) is characterized by non-toxicity and low melting point of 15.5°C. Its liquid state is attractive in constructing soft and stretchable materials of increased thermal and electrical conductivity. EGaIn can be easily processed into stable nanometer-sized droplets coated with gallium oxide. The challenge is on how to (1) arrange droplets into strings, and (2) how to destroy insulating oxide coating. To address this challenge, self-organization methods will be used.

Tasks:

• Synthesis of block copolymers by ATRP
• Analysis of the prepared composites (AFM, TEM, DSC, mechanical and electrical measurements, etc.)

Requirements:

• Laboratory skills (chemistry, physicochemical analysis, e.g.: polymerizations, NMR, FTIR, DSC)
• Excellent English skills (to present orally and write reports, manuscripts for scientific publication)
• High motivation and strong commitment to research
• Preferred students interested in conducting PhD studies after completion of the project

Offer:

• Stipend of 1500 PLN/month until 30.09.2025

List of required documents:

• CV, transcript the grades/credits received
• Signed consent to the processing of personal data available at www.chem.uw.edu.pl/oferty-pracy (bottom of the page: “Klauzula informacyjna RODO”).

e-mail: p.mocny@chem.uw.edu.pl

In the title of the e-mail, please enter “MetCopolPhases – stypendium studenckie”

Deadline: undefined (to be resolved within a few months)

Date of announcement: 10.01.2025