Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

2.3K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
2.3K
Phase Transitions02:31

Phase Transitions

19.0K
Whether solid, liquid, or gas, a substance's state depends on the order and arrangement of its particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). Particles in the solid pack closely together, generally in a pattern. The particles vibrate about their fixed positions but do not move or squeeze past their neighbors. In liquids, although the particles are closely spaced, they are randomly arranged. The position of the particles are not fixed—that is, they are free to move past their neighbors to...
19.0K
Phase Transitions01:21

Phase Transitions

102
A phase transition is the process in which a substance changes from one state of matter to another, like from a solid to a liquid, liquid to gas, or vice versa, at a specific temperature and under given pressure conditions. This change is spontaneous and is affected by alterations in temperature and pressure. These parameters impact the strength of the forces between molecules (intermolecular forces) in the substance.During a phase transition, both the initial and final phases of the substance...
102
Thermal Sigmatropic Reactions: Overview01:16

Thermal Sigmatropic Reactions: Overview

1.6K
Sigmatropic rearrangements are a class of pericyclic reactions in which a σ bond migrates from one part of a π system to another. These are intramolecular rearrangements where the total number of σ and π bonds remain unchanged.
Sigmatropic shifts are classified based on an order term [i, j ], where i and j indicate the number of atoms across which each end of the σ bond migrates. Below are examples of a [3,3] sigmatropic shift in...
1.6K
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

2.1K
Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
2.1K
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing02:39

Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing

11.6K
Heating a crystalline solid increases the average energy of its atoms, molecules, or ions, and the solid gets hotter. At some point, the added energy becomes large enough to partially overcome the forces holding the molecules or ions of the solid in their fixed positions, and the solid begins the process of transitioning to the liquid state or melting. At this point, the temperature of the solid stops rising, despite the continual input of heat, and it remains constant until all of the solid is...
11.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

FEMOROACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT: PREVALENCE OF RADIOGRAPHIC MORPHOLOGY IN INDIAN POPULATION, ETIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT.

Georgian medical news·2025
Same author

Enhancement of bulk second-harmonic generation from silicon nitride films by material composition.

Optics letters·2017
Same author

Molecular epidemiology of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in India.

Epidemiology and infection·2016
Same author

Frequency of folate deficiency in multiple myeloma patients: a 10-year retrospective study.

International journal of laboratory hematology·2015
Same author

Predictors for the need of surgery in antenatally detected hydronephrosis due to UPJ obstruction--a prospective multivariate analysis.

Journal of pediatric urology·2015
Same author

Is universal sample processing methodology better than conventional techniques for detection of tuberculosis?

Indian journal of medical microbiology·2014

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
06:55

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

7.6K

Thermotropic dynamic processes in multiphase polymer systems by (cryo-)AFM.

N B Matsko1, V Mittal

  • 1Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy and Institute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis, Graz University of Technology, Steyrergasse 17, A-8010 Graz, Austria. nadejda.matsko@felmi-zfe.at.

Soft Matter
|June 21, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Physical aging in polymers causes structural changes affecting material performance. Cryo-atomic force microscopy (AFM) monitors macromolecular rearrangements in situ, offering new insights into polymer ultrastructure evolution over time and temperature.

More Related Videos

Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
11:38

Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions

Published on: April 19, 2018

7.7K
Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
06:26

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Published on: May 15, 2017

6.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
06:55

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

7.6K
Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
11:38

Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions

Published on: April 19, 2018

7.7K
Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
06:26

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Published on: May 15, 2017

6.4K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Structural relaxation and physical aging significantly impact polymer properties and long-term performance.
  • Understanding macromolecular rearrangements during aging is crucial for materials engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and validate a novel methodological approach for monitoring polymer structural relaxation during physical aging.
  • To investigate the evolution of polymer ultrastructure in situ using advanced imaging techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing (cryo-)atomic force microscopy (AFM) for high-resolution topographical and phase imaging.
  • Monitoring macromolecular rearrangements within the bulk polymer cross-section.
  • Conducting experiments over extended time periods and a wide temperature range (-120 °C to +20 °C).

Main Results:

  • Cryo-AFM provides unique, in situ insights into polymer ultrastructure evolution during physical aging.
  • The method allows for detailed observation of macromolecular rearrangements.
  • Data reveals the influence of time and temperature on structural relaxation.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed cryo-AFM approach offers a powerful tool for studying polymer physical aging.
  • This technique surpasses conventional methods in providing detailed ultrastructural information.
  • In situ monitoring enhances understanding of polymer behavior and performance over time.