William Winter - Chemistry Department and Cellulose Research Institute
SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
Abstract:
Fiber diffraction dates to 1913 before the concept of a ‘polymer’ molecule was accepted. Although less exact than single crystal diffraction, and complicated by technical problems associated with disorder in the sample, the technique has played an important role in understanding many phenomena including rubber elasticity. It can be complementary to single crystal studies and has its own importance in areas where the study of single crystal model compounds will not suffice. In particular, the interplay between external stresses and the structural changes in assemblies containing chain molecules is central to many physical and biological problems; and fiber diffraction coupled to vibrational spectroscopy etc. can provide unique insight. The DNA ‘double helix’ story is known by most of you and hence will not be a focus of this talk.
2009 Run
Sept. 23rd to Nov. 10th
