Jeffrey T. Koberstein
Jeffrey T. Koberstein
Percy K. and Vida L.W. Hudson Professor of Chemical Engineering810 Sw Mudd, Mail Code: 4721
Phone: +1 212-854-3120
Fax: +1 212-854-3054
Email:
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Education:
BS Chemical Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin 1974PhD Chemical Engineering, Univ. of Mass 1979
Research interests:
Prof. Koberstein's research interests lie in developing fundamental relationships between molecular structure and properties of polymers and other soft matter, and particularly how polymer surfaces and interfaces can be designed from a molecular perspective.Creating Smart Polymer Surfaces:
Smart polymer surfaces are defined by the ability to change structure and properties when exposed to a particular stimulus. The goal of this work can be generally considered as gaining a molecular design capability to change the chemical composition of a polymer surface through external controls. To accomplish these goals, fundamental research on functional polymer surfaces is carried out on model systems such as end-functional polymers. Surface properties are determined as a function of molecular variables using sophisticated techniques such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, interfacial tensiometry/contact angle analysis, x-ray and neutron reflectivity and ellipsometry. Current projects involve investigations of reorganization of functional groups at surfaces, the use of light to create surface functionality, the use of functional surface active block copolymers to create smart surfaces, adhesion enhancement with functional polymers, surface segregation in multicomponent polymer systems, supercritical fluid based surface modification technology and photoisomerization to control functionality and reactivity at polymer surfaces.Bioactive Polymer Surfaces:
The goal of this research is to develop polymer surfaces that can promote a certain prescribed biological response when placed in vivo. An example of the need for this capability is an implantable glucose sensor. Normally these sensors fail within weeks as they become encapsulated with fibrous tissue due to the body's immune response. Bioactive coatings are under development to reduce encapsulation and induce the growth of new capillary vessels. These coatings are based on new types of polymeric hydrogels and block copolymers that can be decorated with cell signaling factors such as cell adhesion ligands and growth factors. Projects involve the synthesis of new hydrogels, characterization of their properties and cellular response, and the development of strategies for surface patterning of biological molecules for the development of microarray biosensors.Selected Publications:
Interfacial Tension Reduction in Polystyrene/Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Blends by the Addition of Poly(styrene-b-dimethyl Siloxane), with W. Hu, J.P. Lingelser and Y. Gallot, Macromolecules, 28, 5209-5214, (1995).End Group Effects on Surface Properties of Polymers: Semi-Empirical Calculations and Comparison to Experimental Surface Tensions for ???-Functional Poly(dimethyl siloxanes", Claire Jalbert, Jeffrey T. Koberstein, Arvind Hariharan and Sanat K. Kumar, Macromolecules 30(15),4481-4490 (1997).
Creating Smart Polymer Surfaces with Selective Adhesion Propertie", J. T. Koberstein, D. E. Duch, W. Hu, T. J. Lenk, R. Bhatia, H. R. Brown, J.-P. Lingelser, and Y. Gallot, J. Adhesion, 66, 229-249 (1998).
The Effects of Low Energy End Groups on the Dewetting Dynamics of Poly(styrene) Films on Poly(methyl methacrylate) Substrates, C. Yuan, M. Ouyang and J. T. Koberstein, Macromolecules, 32 (7), 2329-2333 (1999).
Segregation Dynamics of Block Copolymers to an Immiscible Polymer Blend Interface, D. Cho, C. Jalbert and J. T. Koberstein, Macromolecules 33(14), 5425-5251 (2000).
Conversion of Some Siloxane Polymers to Silicon Oxides by UV-Ozone Photochemical Processes, M. Ouyang, C. Yuan, R. Muisenerm A. Boulares, J. T. Koberstein, Chemistry of Materials, 12(6), 1591-1596 (2000)