Polymer Physics
Course facts
- Payment: Free, no certificate
- Credits: Non Credit
- Learning style: Self-paced, start anytime
- Resources: Lecture Notes; Problem Sets; Written Assignments with Examples
MIT OpenCourseWare details
- As taught in: Spring 2007
- Department: Materials Science and Engineering
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A course on the physics of polymers, covering solutions, blends, the glass transition, block copolymers and mechanics, with notes and problem sets.
Glassy, crystalline and rubbery polymers are all long-chain molecules, yet they behave very differently. This course explains why, connecting chain structure and physical chemistry to mechanical, optical and transport properties. It moves through solutions and melts into self-organized materials, and it uses technologically important polymers as case studies.
What You Will Achieve
- Apply Flory-Huggins theory to polymer solutions and blends
- Interpret osmometry, chromatography and scattering measurements
- Explain the glass transition, diffusion and rubber elasticity
- Relate block copolymer structure to material properties
Program Overview
Chains and Thermodynamics
The first part describes chains in solution and how to measure them.
- Thermodynamics of polymer solutions
- Polymer blends
- Size exclusion chromatography
- Scattering and Zimm plots
Self Organization and Photonics
The next part looks at how block copolymers arrange themselves and what that makes possible.
- Glass transition and reptation
- Gels
- Photonic crystals
- BCP-nanoparticle composites
Mechanical Properties and Electronic Polymers
The closing lectures cover crystals, strength and electrically active chains.
- Chain folding and spherulites
- Crazing
- Nanotubes
- Polymer conductives
Course Completion
Job Outlook
This knowledge applies in materials development, plastics and coatings, polymer electronics and research on soft materials.
Good for: Materials science and engineering students, and engineers working with plastics or soft materials who want the physics underneath their properties.
Keep in mind: There are no problem set solutions or lecture recordings, so check your answers by other means. The notes date from 2007.
Bottom line: A solid physical treatment of polymers with notably good coverage of self-assembly, worth using alongside a suggested textbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the project essay involve?
Students write a substantial essay on the structure, processing and physical properties of polymers, with a two-page outline first. Published examples discuss OLEDs and polymer foams.
Which reference book is suggested?
No textbook is required. Introduction to Polymers by Young and Lovell is the suggested reference, and one supplemental reading on block copolymers appears on the schedule.
Does it cover electronic polymers?
Yes. Late lectures deal with single wall and multi-wall nanotubes, electronic polymers, polymer conductives such as polypyrrole chains, and optical interactions.
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