2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Polymer Physics II (Solid Structures)
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Shinji Ando
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.Y205
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The basic structures (especially three-dimensional steric structures) of polymeric material in the solid state are classified as amorphous solid (including oriented amorphous), crystalline solid, and liquid crystals, and the characteristics of these structures are introduced. Then, the lecturer explains the knowledge and information provided from experimental and analytical methods, such as diffractometry, vibration spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron microscopes, and microspectroscopy. For the development of novel polymeric functional materials, a deep understanding of so-called "Structure-Property relationships" of solid polymers is essential. This course aims to provide the fundamental knowledge to understand "Structure-Property relationships" through the three-dimensional structures of polymers and their generation mechanisms.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand the basics of hierarchic and higher-order structures of polymers in the solid state.
2) Understand the analytical methods that are used to characterize the structures of polymer solids including semi-crystalline polymers, amorphous polymers, and liquid-crystalline polymers.
3) Acquire knowledge to understand the relationship between the structure and physical properties of polymeric materials.
Keywords
Monomer structures (Structural isomerism, Stereoisomerism, Configuration), Second order structures (Conformational rotational isomer, Helix structure), Higher order structures (Crystal, Liquid crystal, Amorphous, Single crystal, Spherulites, Micro-phase separation, Crosslink structure, Surface and Interfacial structures)
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
1) At the beginning of each class, I will explain the assignment and review the previous lecture and then enter the lecture.
2) After each class, students are given assignments related to the teaching context on the day (Uploaded to T2Schola).
3) Please understand the learning objectives of each class, download the course materials, and prepare for the lecture with the book of reference.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Hidden structures of polymers around us. Various Structures of Polymer Solids, Higher Order Structures, Aggeregation Structrures, and Hierarchic Structures | Understand the Classification of Hierarchic Structures of Polymer Solids |
| Class 2 | Temperature Dependence of Specific Volume and Elastic Modulus for Semi-crystalline Polymers and Amorphous Polymers. Basics of Polymer Melting and Glass Transition. | Understand the Temperature Dependence of Specific Volume and Elastic Modulus |
| Class 3 | Structure, Physical Properties and Molecular Motion of Polymers (Micro Brownian Motion and Local Motion) + Intermidiate Exam. | Undestand the Relations among Structure, Physical Properties, and Molecular Motion of Polymers. |
| Class 4 | Glass Transition of Amorphous Polymers and Physical Aging (Enthalpy Relaxation) | Understand the Glass Transition of Amorphous Polymers and Physical Aging |
| Class 5 | Periodic and Crystalline Structures of Polymers and Analytical Methods for Characterization | Understand the Crystallization Behaviors of Semi-crystalline Polymers, Understand the Understand the Various Crystalline Structures of Polymers and Analytical Methods |
| Class 6 | Melting Temperatures, Degree of Crystallization, and Crystal Growth Mechanism of Semi-crystalline Polymers | Understand the Melting Temp., Crystallinity, and Crystal Growth Mechanism of Polymers |
| Class 7 | Final Exam. + Characteristic Structures of Liquid Crystalline Polymers (Special Lecture) | Understand Environmental Issues and Polymers Made from Plant-derived Raw Materials |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 60 minutes preparing for class and reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class. They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Lecture Hand-out will be delivered via Science Tokyo LMS system, and the lectures will be based on the hand-outs. Besides, 'Chemistry of Polymers.', Sankyo Publishing is the major book of reference. Please study it by yourself according to the progress of the lecture.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
H. Kitano et al. 'Chemistry of Polymers', Sankyo Publishing; ISBN: 4782705441 (Japanese)
The Society of Polymer Science Japan Ed., 'Fundamental Polymer Science 2nd Ed.', Tokyo Kagaku Dojin; ISBN: 9784807909629. (Japanese)
The Society of Polymer Science Japan Ed., 'Exercise in Fundamental Polymer Science 2nd Ed.', Tokyo Kagaku Dojin; ISBN: 9784807920198. (Japanese)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students will be assessed on their understanding of lecture contents and their ability to apply them to solve problems.
Activities in class and Homework: 30%, Mid-term exam: 30%, Final exam: 40%
Related courses
- CAP.P201 ： Polymer Science
- CAP.P221 ： Polymer Physics I (Polymer Solutions)
- CAP.P321 ： Polymer Physics III (Rheology)
- CAP.P322 ： Polymer Physics IV (Physical Properties)
Prerequisites
Students are highly advisable to have completed CAP.P201：Polymer Science & CAP.P221：Polymer Physics I (Polymer Solutions) or have equivalent knowledge.