Physics 538: POLYMER SCIENCE

Mechanics of plastics, gels, and cells

TEXTBOOKS:

Fundamentals of Polymer Science, An Introductory Text, P.C. Painter and M.M Coleman, 2nd ed. (CRC Press, 1997)

Physics in Molecular Biology, K. Sneppen and G. Zocchi (Cambridge University Press, 2005)

TIME AND PLACE:

Fall 2007, MW 16.00-17.15, P-149

PREREQUISITES:

(Chemistry 200 or 201) and (Physics 360 or Chemistry 400b or Mechanical Eng. 350 or Mechanical Eng. 352) or consent of instructor

INSTRUCTOR:

Prof. Arlette Baljon, P-134, 4-2051

Office hours: MW 14.00-15.00

GRADING:

Problem sessions (10%), Tests (60%), Final presentation (30%).

Scale: A: 85% B: 75% C:65% D:55% partial grades given.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Introduction and polymer synthesis

- What is polymer science?

- Basic definitions

- Step-growth and chain polymerization

- Kinetics of polymerization

- Statistics of polymarization

Microstructure

- Conformations and configurations of polymer chains

- Random walks and random flights

- Polymer morphology

- Gelation and percolation

Crystallization, melting and the glass transition

- Review of basic thermodynamics

- Some statistical mechanics

- The crystalline melting temperature

- Kinetics of polymer crystallization: nucleation

- The glass transition.

Thermodynamics of polymer solutions and blends

- Polymer excluded volume

- The free energy of mixing

- Flory-Huggins theory

- Phase separation

- Theta solvents

Mechanical and rheological properties

- Stress-strain behavior

- Viscosity of polymer melts

- Viscoelasticity: some simple models

- Relaxation in polymers

- Time-temperature superposition principle

Biopolymers

- Elasticity, entropy, and bending energy of biopolymer

- Helix and coil formation

- DNA and RNA

- PRC and electrophoresis

Molecular motors

- The cytoskeleton

- Molecular motor proteins: myosin and kinesin

- Thermal ratchets

- Growth through dynamic instability

- Treadmilling

Week of:	Monday	Wednesday
Aug 27/29	Lecture Chap 1 Painter	Lecture Chap 2 Painter
Sept 3/5		Lecture Chap 3 (A-B), Chap 4 (A-C, E) Painter
Sept 10/12	Problem session 1: read Painter Chap 1 and Chap 2 (till page 47), 3 (A-B), Chap 4 (A-C, E).	Lecture Chap 7 Painter
Sept 17/19	Lecture Chap 7/8 Painter	Problem session 2: read Painter Chap 7
Sept 24/26	Lecture Chap 8 Painter	Test I: Painter Chaps. 1, 2, 3(A-B), 4 (A,B,C,E), 7 and material from problem sessions 1-2
Oct 1/3	Lecture Chap 8/9 Painter	Lecture Chapter 9 Painter
Oct 8/10	Problem session 3: read Painter Chap 8 and 9	Lecture Chap 9/11 Painter
Oct 15/17	Lecture Chap 11 Painter	Lecture Chap 11 Painter
Oct 22/24
Oct 29/31	Lecture Chap 11 Painter	Problem session 4: read Painter Chap. 11 (A-F)
Nov 5/7	Lect Sneppen	Test II: Painter Chaps. 8, 9 ,11 (A-F) and material from problem sessions 3-4.
Nov 12/14		Lect Sneppen
Nov 19/21	Consult presentations	Consult presentations
Nov 26/28	Lect Sneppen	Lect Sneppen
Dec 3/5	Lect Sneppen/ Test III Sneppen (take home)	10-15 min presentations
Dec 12	10-15 min presentations (4-6)

Student learning outcomes:

Polymer Science is an interdisciplinary field in which chemists, physicists, engineers, and biologists closely collaborate. It is a relative young field, actively explored in cutting edge 21th century research. In this course students will familiarize themselves with the most important concepts in this area. They will learn about the fundamental mechanical and rheological properties of polymeric materials and cellular polymeric filaments. They will work with students of other disciplines in the problem sessions. They will also acquire presentation skills.