Control of polymer gel surface pattern formation and its three dimensional measurement method

摘要

We report the controllability of a gelation surface pattern formation.Recently, we have found and studied a novel kind of pattern formation thatoccurs during a radical polymerization (gelation) process. The patternformation is observed in an open top boundary of quasi two dimensionalgelation. In previous studies, we have used two dimensional photo based imageprocessing to analyze the patterns. However, the actual pattern is a threedimensional surface deformation. Thus we develop a three dimensionalmeasurement system using a line laser displacement sensor and an automaticx-stage. Patterns measured by the system are analyzed and discussed by means ofpattern controllability. In particular, we focus on the possibility of thepattern control using an external temperature field. As a result, we revealthat the global structure can be controlled, whereas the characteristic lengthscales (wavelength and amplitude) are not controllable.