Polymer Science
Polymer Science - Related Videos
02:34
Polymers
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2020
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
08:44
Tension Tests of Polymers
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2023
Source: Roberto Leon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Polymeric materials are widely used in civil structures, with uses ranging from very soft sealants to more rigid pipes in water and wastewater systems. The most basic definition of a polymer is a molecular structure with repeating subunits. The term polymer comes from Greek, where "poly" means many, and "-mer" means basic unit. Monomers, or single mers, are the specific repeating units. With...
10:48
Aseptic Technique in Environmental Science
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - The University of Arizona Demonstrating Author: Luisa Ikner Aseptic technique is a fundamental skill widely practiced in the field of environmental microbiology that requires a balance of mindfulness and practice in the laboratory. Proper use of this technique reduces the likelihood of bacterial or fungal contamination of reagents, culture media, and environmental samples. Aseptic technique is also vital to ensure data integrity and...
01:13
Psychology as a Science
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2024
Psychology, as a scientific discipline, aims to understand the mind and behavior through rigorous and systematic methods. The foundation of psychological research is evidence-based, relying heavily on the scientific method to derive and validate knowledge. This structured approach ensures that findings are reliable, valid, and applicable to broader contexts. The scientific method in psychology involves six critical steps: making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting tests, analyzing...
10:27
Preparation of Highly Porous Coordination Polymer Coatings on Macroporous Polymer Monoliths for Enhanced Enrichment of Phosphopeptides
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Cited by 12 •
2015
A procedure for the preparation of porous hybrid separation media composed of a macroporous polymer monolith internally coated by a high surface area microporous coordination polymer is presented.
FAQs
Molecular weight is one of the primary structural variables engineers evaluate because it helps determine polymer performance. It is considered together with branching, crystallinity, and crosslinking rather than treated in isolation. Comparing these features lets designers connect chain-level structure with practical requirements such as strength, flexibility, thermal stability, and chemical resistance.
Branching, crystallinity, and crosslinking represent different structural variables that influence polymer behavior. Engineers examine them separately because each contributes to the relationship between molecular structure and properties. Considering these features together helps explain why polymeric materials can display different combinations of strength, flexibility, thermal stability, and chemical resistance despite being formed from repeating molecular units.
Polymerization is the stage at which monomers join into chains, so it establishes the molecular framework later evaluated for performance. The resulting chain structure can be considered alongside molecular weight, branching, crystallinity, and crosslinking. In engineering, this link makes polymerization relevant to designing materials with targeted strength, flexibility, stability, or resistance.
Engineers begin by identifying the needed performance, such as strength, flexibility, thermal stability, or chemical resistance. They then relate those requirements to molecular weight, branching, crystallinity, and crosslinking, before considering processing and the intended product form. This structure-property approach supports selection or design of plastics, elastomers, fibers, coatings, adhesives, or composites.
Applications range from packaging and construction to electronics and biomedical devices, with the material form matched to the functional need. Polymer science also supports plastics, elastomers, fibers, coatings, adhesives, and composites. Engineers use structure-property relationships to pursue lighter products and improved durability, linking molecular design and processing decisions to performance in service.
It contributes to sustainability by guiding work on recycling, bio-based feedstocks, and controlled degradation. These approaches address material life cycles while maintaining the engineering goal of suitable performance. The same structure-property perspective used for strength or chemical resistance can therefore support materials that are lighter, more durable, or designed for improved end-of-life outcomes.