Fundamental research
in Conductive Polymers (leading to the first Organic Metal), its dispersion, colloidal science in general, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and turbulence
Research Topics and Results
Major results of Dr. Wessling’s research over almost 4 decades have been
– synthesis and characterisation of polyaniline p-toluene sulfonate, its dispersion (towards processable forms), structure elucidation, transformation to an Organic Metal, basic understanding of the properties of an Organic Metal: (nano-)metallic conductivity mechanism in combination with catalytic abilities;
– pioneering application processes (mainly corrosion protection, based on the discovery of the passivation capability of the Organic Metal Polyaniline, and final finishing of printed circuit boards / chemical deposition of Tin on Copper catalyzed by the Organic Metal, and passivation of Copper by it);
– fundamental insights into the Organic Metal’s properties and into the various application processes basics;
– non-equilibrium thermodynamical description of dispersions and emulsions (concise non-equilibrium thermodynamical theory), discovery and theoretical explanation of structure formation in dispersions and emulsions (self-organisation to frozen dissipative structures);
– (together with Dr. Helmut Baumert) parameter-free theory of turbulence of dispersions and emulsions.
The following links offer some paths to history and key publications of this research work.
