Courses
All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.
501 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering
Physical and organic chemistry of polymers for persons with a basic training in chemistry, physics, or engineering. A survey of preparative methods of polymers; physical chemistry of polymer molecules in solution, liquid, and solid phases; thermodynamics and statistics of polymers; methods of characterization; mechanical properties, fabrication techniques. Prerequisites: one semester of physical chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry. For non-PS&E students.
602 Polymer Characterization Laboratory
Characterization of polymers by up to fifteen methods, including spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman, infrared), mechanical (tensile, dynamic mechanical, rheological), microscopic (electron microscopy), physiochemical (intrinsic viscosity, differential scanning, calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography) and scattering (light, x-rays). Molecular simulation techniques introduced. Lectures provide state-of-the-art description of these and additional polymer characterization methods.
603 Polymer Synthesis Laboratory
Preparation and characterization of the most important types of polymer types. Radical, cationic, anionic polymerization, copolymerization, Ziegler-Natta polymerization, step growth polymerization; suspension and emulsion polymerization; group transfer polymerization; metathesis polymerization.
604 Introduction to Polymer Engineering
Physical and mathematical principles required to understand and solve engineering problems encountered with polymeric materials. Vectors and tensor operations, stress-strain analysis in solids, fluid mechanics, transport equations for mass and energy, nonlinear physical properties, overview of polymer processing.
607 Introduction to Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
Polymer structure, classification of polymerization reactions, theory and practice of step growth polymerization, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polymerization by transition metal catalysts.
608 Physical Chemistry of Polymers I
Review of classical and statistical thermodynamics, configuration and conformation of isolated polymer chains, the rotational isomeric state model, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of polymer solutions, scaling theory, single chain dynamics, scattering (light, x-ray, neutron).
690MR Introduction to Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy
Applications of solid-state NMR include (1) structural elucidation of solid materials, such as crosslinked polymers, gels, zeolites, and natural organic matter; (2) morphology and organization of heterogeneous materials, such as semicrystalline polymers, photovoltaic polymers, and composites; and (3) molecular dynamics and interactions. The information content obtained from ssNMR is highly complementary to that from microscopy and scattering techniques. This class will discuss the fundamental concepts of solid-state NMR and several essential techniques, including magic-angle spinning, direct polarization, cross polarization, and T1 and T2 relaxations. Students are welcome to submit their samples which we will collectively investigate. Credit, 1.
690PD Polymer Decomposition and Degration for Sustainability
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of polymer decomposition and degradation, covering thermal and chemical degradation, biological decomposition, and other mechanisms. The knowledge and discussion gained in this course are essential for designing sustainable polymers. Credit, 1.
696 Introduction to Research
Independent student research on a specific project in polymer science or engineering, selected to teach research methods and techniques and to acquire new knowledge. Credit, 1-3.
699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 6-10.
704 Advanced Polymer Engineering
An overview of advanced polymer engineering concepts including yield and fracture, viscoelasticity and rubber elasticity, and polymer rheology/fluids. Continuation of material in POLYMER 604.
720 Viscoelasticity
Molecular foundations of polymer viscoelasticity, Rouse-Bueche theory, Boltzmann superposition principle, mechanical models, distribution of relaxation and retardation times, interrelationships between mechanical spectra, the glass transition, secondary relaxations, dielectric relaxation.
721 Polymer Morphology
Methods of structural characterization for important morphological classes of polymers. Overview of scattering physics leading to a discussion of specific techniques such as small and wide angle x-ray and transmission electron microscopy. Polymeric materials surveyed include mesophases, liquid crystalline polymers, polymer blends, block copolymers, crystalline polymers forming lamellae or spherulites.
731 Polymer Properties
Techniques for predicting the engineering and physical properties of polymers from their molecular structures. Empirical, semi-empirical, and theoretical methods, with emphasis on the group additivity approach. Properties discussed include refractive index, density, glass transition temperature, modulus, and compatibility.
733 Micromechanics
Effects of microstructure on the mechanics of polymeric media: deformation modes, yield, rubber toughening, alloys and blends, fatigue and fracture of highly filled systems.
735 Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Maxwell’s equations, wave propagation and dispersion, index of refraction and polarizability, absorption and the “Golden Rule,” introduction to nonlinear optics, scattering.
736 Polymer Surfaces and Adsorption
Discussion of theoretical and experimental methods providing insight into polymer interfacial phenomena. Theoretical: surface dynamics, Gibbs isotherm, gradient-square theory of interfaces, wetting. Experimental: IR, optical, neutron, and x-ray reflectivity, contact angle, surface tensiometry, scanning probe microscopy (atomic force, scanning tunnel), electron probes (ESCA, EELS).
737 Polymer Reaction Engineering
Engineering principles applied to the analysis and design of polymerization processes. Mathematical modeling of polymerization kinetics, ideal polymerization reactors, heat and mass transfer, reactor dynamics and optimization, mixing effects. Case studies of important industrial processes.
740 Vibrational Spectroscopy of Macromolecules
Infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Concepts and algorithms of normal mode analysis, symmetry analysis, Fermi resonance interactions, defect-induced vibrational transitions, polarization phenomena, surface characterization.
742 Biopolymers
Structure, function, and physical properties of naturally occurring polymers, including proteins, polysaccharides, polyesters, and DNA. Methods of characterization (nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, circular dichroism, centrifugation, electrophoresis, chemical modification), polymer chemistry of biological processes (visual transduction, synaptic transmission, ion transport, chemical recognition).
745 Colloidal Phenomena
This course examines the origins and consequences of interfacial interactions. Students will gain a qualitative perspective on various contributions to interfacial and small particle energies: Brownian, hydrodynamic, van der Waals, electrostatic interactions. At the same time students will develop quantitative tools to assess the magnitudes of these interactions. These fundamentals will be developed in basic form and then applied to nanoparticle stability, electrokinetic phenomena, nucleation, film stability, biomaterial interactions, and adhesion.
757 Polymer Rheology
Definition and measurement of the material functions of complex fluids, continuum mechanics of stress and deformation, constitutive equations derived from both continuum and molecular theories, interrelation of material functions for both shear and elongational flows, linear and nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity, material functions of important classes of polymeric fluids, the role of rheological properties in material characterization and polymer processing. Prerequisite: POLYMER 604 or an equivalent background in fluid mechanics. Credits, 1-3.
758 Polymer Processing
Application of engineering principles to the analysis of polymer processes such as extrusion, roll coating, mixing, etc. Applied fluid dynamics with attention to heat and mass transfer. Prerequisite: POLYMER 604 and 757.
760 Organic Polymerization Reactions
Mechanisms, kinetics, and thermodynamics of the principal polymerization reactions. Recent special topics included liquid crystalline polmers, piezoelectric polymers, biopolymers, olefin metathesis polymerization. Prerequisite: POLYMER 607.
780 Scientific Management
This course deals with the challenges and issues of managing a group of scientists – in industry or academia. Although many of you are being successfully trained as scientists and engineers, graduate school should also begin your preparation as a manager or advisor. These are the positions that many of you will assume over the next several years. As you'll learn through this course, a successful career in science and engineering relies on many skills that are not related to your ability in the laboratory. We will discuss topics such as proposal writing, lab management, communication strategies, and mentoring. Our coverage of these topics in this initial course will not be deep, but it will be broad and insightful. Credit, 1.
786 Research Proposal
Students write and defend a proposal for experimental investigation of a research problem not directly related to their thesis topic. Project selected requires approval of thesis committee, and involves primarily library research. Credit, 1.
789 Physical Chemistry of Polymers II
Rubber elasticity, glass transition phenomena, phase separation kinetics, crystallization thermodynamics and kinetics, physics of polymer crystals, description and determination of crystalline and amorphous orientation.
891 Seminar
Invited lectures by visiting academic and industrial scientists. Held regularly on Friday afternoons throughout the academic year. PS&E students required to register and attend. Credit, 1.
899 Doctoral Dissertation
Credit, 18.