Crosslinked Macromolecular Systems as an Example of Systems with Discrete Interactions I

The theory presented is a generalization of our theory of crosslinked, entanglement or contact networks in (bio)polymer systems. It is applicable to any System with Discrete Interactions (SDI), i.e. one which lacks crystal-like translational symmetry, but any structural element of which interacts directly only with a finite (in most cases a small) number of other elements. Such amorphous materials as superpolymers (ferrofluids, worm-like micelles, colloidal necklaces), ceramics and glasses obtained by sol-gel processes, fractal colloidal aggregates are other examples of SDI.