Purpose Introduces the fundamental concept, processes, preparation and physical characterization of polymers, with emphasis placed on those of commercial interest, to make students more effective problem solvers in the industrial environment.
Enrollment is limited.
Students are admitted to master's programs in chemistry or physics upon admission to this interdisciplinary program. Each course runs for three weeks with a week off between courses. The topics of these courses, listed below, have been developed in consultation with the participating industrial partners. Polymer Chemical Physics Statistical and thermodynamic models for the equilbrium configuration, conformation, structure, mechanical properties, and phase transitions of polymer solutions, dense melts, liquid crystals, mixtures, block copolymers, surfaces and interfaces, and electronic polymers. Discussion of techniques for polymer characterization, including light, electron, x-ray, and neutron scattering, light and electron microscopy, and optical, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies.