3-3 Topographic AFM images of Dendl LB fi1ms transferred at 5, 10, 15, 20, 24 (middle
 of plateau, MMA = 20,000 A+2), and 40 mN/m ................. ............ ...................49

3-4 Compression-expansion hysteresis plot of Dend1 (target MMA = 20,000 A+2).................50

3-5 Surface pressure/time isochoric relaxation plot of Dend1 after compression up to 40
 m N /m .............. ...............51....

3-6 Compression-expansion hysteresis plot of Dend1 (target pressure = 40 mN/m) ..............52

3-7 Isotherm of PAA250K (pH = 2.5). ................ ......... ......... ........ ..............53

3-8 Topographic AFM images of PAA250K LB fi1ms transferred at 1.5, 3, and 3.5 mN/m. ....54

3-9 Isotherm of Dend2 (pH = 2.5). (Inset) Compressibility plot versus surface pressure. ......55

3-10 Topographic AFM images of Dend2 LB fi1ms transferred at 2, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, and 8
 m N /m ............. ...............57.....

3-11 Compression-expansion hysteresis plot of Dend2 (target pressure = 5 mN/m, pH =
 2.5). ............. ...............57.....

4-1 The star-shaped PEO-b-PCL block copolymers. ............. ...............63.....

4-2 The linear PEO-b-PCL block copolymers. ............. ...............64.....

4-3 Isotherms of the PEO homopolymers. (Inset) Same isotherms normalized with
 respect to the number of ethylene oxide units. ............. ...............66.....

4-4 Compression-expansion hysteresis plot of the PEO core (target pressure = 2 mN/m)......66

4-5 Isotherms of the PCL homopolymers. (Inset) Same isotherms normalized with
 respect to the number of e-caprolactone units. ............. ...............68.....

4-6 Isotherms of the PCL homopolymers (compression speed = 100 mm/min). ....................70

4-7 Compression-expansion hysteresi s plot of PCL 1250. ................ ....._._ ........_......7 1

4-8 Topographic AFM images of PCL homopolymers LB fi1ms transferred below and
 above monolayer collapse ................. ...............72........... ....

4-9 Isotherms of the star-shaped PEO-b-PCL copolymers. ......... ................ ...............73

4-10 Compression-expansion hysteresis plot of Star#6 (target pressure = 9 mN/m). ...............74

4-11 Compression-expansion hysteresis plot of Star#1 (target pressure = 9 mN/m). ...............74

4-12 Plots of MMA versus number of e-caprolactone repeat units for different surface
 pressures from the isotherms of Star#3, Star#4, Star#5, and Star#6 .............. ..............76