It is essential for the study of polymer science and engineering to understand production methods, properties, and functions of industrial polymers from the viewpoint of chemistry. In the fields of polymer technologies and industries, monomer species, polymerization methods, molding processing methods and so forth are optimized based on a variety of previously accumulated fundamental knowledge of polymers. Production costs and social needs should also be considered comprehensively. The purpose of this course is to learn about the "polymer industry and chemistry", "radical polymerization and general purpose polymers", "electronic materials and functional polymers" and so forth.
Understanding and discussion of industrial synthesis methods, structures, physical properties, and functions of general purpose polymers from the viewpoint of chemistry are significant for applying previously learned fundamental knowledge of polymer chemistry.
Students will gain the following abilities from this course.
1) Students can explain industrial production methods and applications of polymers synthesized by chain or step-growth polymerizations.
2) Students can explain structures, physical properties, and functions of polymers utilized for electronic materials, separation membranes, and medical materials.
general purpose polymer, functional polymer, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, coordination polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, electronic material, separation membrane, medical material
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Each class deals with a different topic and contains not only a lecture but also a 10-minute
discussion. Attendance is taken in every class.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Polymer industry and chemistry | Explain the role of chemistry in polymer industries. |
Class 2 | Radical polymerization and general purpose polymer | Explain general purpose polymers synthesized by radical polymerization. |
Class 3 | Ionic polymerization and general purpose polymer | Explain general purpose polymers synthesized by ion polymerization. |
Class 4 | Coordination/ring-opening polymerizations and general purpose polymer | Explain general purpose polymers synthesized by coordination/ring-opening polymerization. |
Class 5 | Electronic material and functional polymer | Explain functional polymers used for electronic materials. |
Class 6 | Separation membrane and functional polymer | Explain functional polymers used for separation membranes. |
Class 7 | Medical material and functional polymer | Explain functional polymers used for medical materials. |
Class 8 | Examination and its explanation | Gain an overall understanding through exams and exam reviews. |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Not fixed.
Materials for this course are distributed.
Understanding of production methods and general purpose applications, as well as functional polymers is evaluated by examination (90%) and report (10%).
Polymer Chemistry I (Step-Growth Polymerization), Polymer Chemistry II (Chain Polymerization)