2026 (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)
- Masatoshi Tokita
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu (M-B07)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.Y205
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Sep 9, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The properties of polymer solids, such as fibers and films, are governed not only by the chemical structure of polymer chains but also by higher-order structures arising from chain aggregation, including crystalline and amorphous structures as well as molecular and crystalline orientations. This course examines crystalline, amorphous, liquid-crystalline, and microphase-separated structures in polymer solids, emphasizing their formation mechanisms, characterization methods, and relationships to material properties.
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the higher-order structures of polymer solids and their formation mechanisms, and to develop the ability to explain and evaluate the properties of polymer materials based on their underlying structures.
Course description and aims
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the characteristics of crystalline, amorphous, liquid-crystalline, and microphase-separated structures found in polymer solids.
2) Explain the structures, crystallization mechanisms, and crystal morphologies of crystalline polymers.
3) Explain thermal transitions in polymer solids, including crystal melting and the glass transition.
4) Explain structure-property correlations in polymer solids.
5) Explain the formation principles of self-organized structures in liquid-crystalline polymers and block copolymers.
6) Explain the principles and characteristics of analytical methods used to characterize polymer structures and thermal transitions.
Keywords
Polymer crystal structure, polymer crystallization mechanism, glass transition, Structure-property relationships, Liquid-crystalline Polymers, Microphase-separated structures
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The course will be delivered in a lecture format. Lecture materials will be distributed, and assignments and/or short quizzes will be administered as appropriate to monitor and reinforce students’ understanding.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Structure of Polymer Crystals |
Explain the hierarchical structure of polymer crystals, including unit cells, lamellar crystals, and spherulites. |
| Class 2 | Thermal Transitions in Polymer Solids: Crystal Melting and Glass Transition of Amorphous Phases |
Explain crystal melting and glass transition. |
| Class 3 | Mechanisms of Polymer Crystallization |
Explain nucleation and crystal growth processes. |
| Class 4 | Structure and Properties of Polymer Solids: Crystallinity and Orientation |
Explain the concepts of crystallinity and orientation and their evaluation methods. |
| Class 5 | Liquid-Crystalline Phases and Liquid-Crystalline Polymers |
Explain the structure and characteristics of liquid-crystalline phases. |
| Class 6 | Block Copolymers and Microphase-Separated Structures |
Explain relationships between block-copolymer architecture and microphase-separated structures. |
| Class 7 | Exercises (Examination) and Review |
Systematically explain the relationships among polymer solid structures, structure formation mechanisms, characterization methods, and material properties. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
For each class, students should review the distributed materials and reference books beforehand to become familiar with the basic concepts and terminology. After class, students should deepen and consolidate their understanding through exercises and assignment work.
Textbook(s)
No textbook is assigned for this course. Lecture materials will be provided by the instructor.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
The Society of Polymer Science, Japan (Ed.), Kiso Kobunshi Kagaku (Fundamentals of Polymer Science), 2nd ed., Tokyo Kagaku Dojin, Tokyo, 2020. (in Japanese)
Kitano et al., Kobushi no Kagaku (Polymer Chemistry), Sankyo Pub., Tokyo, 2008 (in Japanese)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Student performance will be evaluated based on a comprehensive exercise conducted in the seventh class (70%) and assignments and/or quizzes given during classes 1 through 6 (30%).
Related courses
- CAP.Y201 ： Polymer Chemistry Basics
- CAP.Y204 ： Polymer Physics I (Polymer Solutions)
- CAP.Y302 ： Polymer Rheology
- CAP.Y304 ： Polymer Physical Properties
- CAP.Y306 ： Polymer Characterization
- CAP.Y307 ： Polymer Materials Chemistry
- CAP.F304 ： Chemical Science and Engineering Laboratory Ⅳ
- CAP.P422 ： Advanced Polymer Properties
- CAP.P522 ： Advanced Polymer Structures
- CAP.P581 ： Advanced Polymer Processing
Prerequisites
Students are recommended to have completed Physical Chemistry I (Thermodynamics), Polymer Chemistry Basics, and Polymer Physics I (Polymer Solutions), or to possess equivalent knowledge. Students who have not taken these courses should independently acquire the necessary background knowledge.
Other
The topics covered in this course are closely related to a wide range of disciplines, including physical chemistry and organic chemistry. Through this course, students will learn about the relationships between polymer structure and properties and are encouraged to deepen their understanding of concepts studied in related courses.