2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/108514Conformational properties of star-shaped polymer aggregates that carry attractive end-groups, called telechelic star polymers, are investigated by simulation and analytical variational theory. We focus on the case of low telechelic star polymer functionalities, $f \leq 5$, a condition which allows aggregation of all attractive monomers on one site. We establish the functionality- and polymerization-number dependence of the transition temperature from the "star burst'' to the "water melon" macroparticle structure. Extensions to telechelic stars featuring partially collapsed configurations are also discussed.11 pages 4 figuresSoft Condensed MatterStatistical Mechanicstext