Macroscopic orientation of block copolymer cylinders in single-layer films by shearing

The shearing method, which was used for the macroscopic orientation of block copolymer cylinders in single-layer films, was discussed. It was found that the shearing technique provides a simple, scalable pathway to single-layer copolymer alignment. Shearing can induce both ordering and disordering in concentrated solutions of cylinder-forming diblocks. The results show that the shearing technique also prove a useful tool for fundamental studies of linear and nonlinear viscosity, elasticity, shear melting and alignment in a well controlled and constrained geometry.