In addition to the studies of fundamental problems in polymer physics, the scientific  activities of the  Polymer Research Group  are directed to questions of materials science and focus on the comprehensive characterization of macromolecular systems having  potential  applications as polymeric sensors, polymer emissive displays and   in the field of colloids. One of the main research topics is the investigation  of struc- ture formation of functional polymers  under the influence of external mechanic,  magnetic and  electric fields; special interest is devoted to the  kinetics of reorienta- tional processes and  ferroelectric switching in liquid  crystalline polymers  and  to thermally  stimulated  currents in conjugated polymeric systems. The orientational  parameters are investigated as well as the local polarization and space  charge distri- bution  which are of importance in the application of thin-layer dielectric systems.

Main methods  of investigation  in this field are the  Nuclear  Magnetic  Resonance (NMR),  the Laser Intensity Modulation Method (LIMM)  and Thermally Stimula- ted  Depolarization Current (TSDC). A second main research  interest is the investi- gation of  dynamics and  molecular interactions  at interfaces with at least one fluid component. This research area is especially relevant to transport processes (diffusion and self-diffusion as well)  which are studied  using Static (SLS) and Dynamic  Light Scattering (DLS) and Pulsed Field Gradient NMR (PFG-NMR).

Scientific collaboration  exists with the  Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V., the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech  Republic (Prague), the Institute  of Physical Chemistry of  the  Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) and  with the  Universities of Darmstadt, Durham, Freiburg and Lausanne.