2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Advanced Polymer Properties
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Xiaobin Liang
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Tue
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.P422
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this lecture, we will study the physical properties of polymer materials from a multilayered perspective. In the first half of the lecture, we will discuss the basic physical properties of polymer materials, such as molecular structure, polymer aggregation systems, and macroscopic properties. In the second half, we will focus on the mechanical properties of single molecular chains, molecular chain aggregation states, and macroscopic scales, and analyze the mechanics and deformation mechanisms at each scale. In particular, we will introduce the method of evaluating mechanical properties at the nanoscale using atomic force microscopy, and explain it while also introducing the latest research results.
The aim of this lecture is to systematically understand how the physical properties of polymers manifest themselves and how they are linked to the macroscopic properties of materials. We will consider mechanical properties from the perspectives of molecular structure, interactions and aggregation states, and cultivate the knowledge and analytical skills needed to apply this to material development and other areas.
Course description and aims
Students will be able to understand the physical properties of polymers consistently from the molecular level to the macroscale, and explain the relationships between them. They will also learn material evaluation and analysis methods, and acquire the basic skills to apply them to each research.
Keywords
Polymer materials, polymer chains, polymer structure, thermal properties, mechanical properties, atomic force microscopy, deformation, fracture
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The textbook and handouts will be used to explain basic content and practical content that is useful for experiments and measurements. Exercises and assignments will be given as necessary.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Structure of polymers | To be able to discuss how polymer solids have properties that are influenced by their structure. |
| Class 2 | Thermal properties of polymers | Explain the characteristics of thermophysical properties of polymer solids and the methods used to measure thermophysical properties. |
| Class 3 | Mechanical properties of polymers | This section explains the characteristics of the mechanical properties of various polymers, such as rubber, polymer crystals, and polymer blends, as well as the methods for measuring their mechanical properties. |
| Class 4 | Deformation, Yielding, and Fracture of Polymers | It explains the mechanisms of deformation and yielding, as well as the progression of destruction and damage. |
| Class 5 | Evaluation of microscopic mechanical properties of polymer materials | This article explains how to measure the microscopic mechanical properties of materials ranging from single polymer chains to macroscopic materials using methods such as atomic force microscopy. |
| Class 6 | Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms of Polymers at the Nanoscale | We will explain nano-deformation behavior and evaluation methods for fracture and the latest research. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
In order to improve the effectiveness of the study, students are expected to prepare for and review (including assignments) the contents of each class for approximately 100 minutes each by referring to the appropriate sections of the textbook and reference books.
Textbook(s)
Wenbing Hu Polymer Physics , Springer, 2013 (Library, e-books available)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Gert R. Strobl, The Physics of Polymers: Concepts for Understanding Their Structures and Behavior, Springer; 3rd ed. 2007
Evaluation methods and criteria
Assignments will be given to facilitate discussion and understanding of class content. Your grade in this course will be based on your performance on assignments and your participation in class discussions.
Related courses
- CAP.Y302 ： Polymer Rheology
- CAP.Y205 ： Polymer Physics II (Solid Structures)
- CAP.Y204 ： Polymer Physics I (Polymer Solutions)
Prerequisites
Interest in the structure and properties of polymer materials (rubber, elastomers, crystalline and non-crystalline polymer materials, etc.).