Polymer science concepts

Syrbe, A., Bauer, W.J., and Klostermeyer, H. (1998). Polymer science concepts in dairy systems An overview of milk protein and hydrocolloid interaction. Int. Dairy J. 8, 179-193. 

Until recently, research work on the structure, properties and applications of proteins were mainly considered within the scientific field of Food Science. To reach a better understanding of properties and to define the potential applications of material proteins, it is essential to compare their structural features with those of chemically synthesised organic polymers used to produce plastic materials. Novel research on nonfood uses of agricultural resources, and especially on material proteins , has led to the application of Polymer Science concepts and tools to investigate the structure-function relationships of these macromolecular organisations. This involves ... 

The words basic concepts" in the title define what I mean by fundamental." This is the primary emphasis in this presentation. Practical applications of polymers are cited frequently—after all, it is these applications that make polymers such an important class of chemicals—but in overall content, the stress is on fundamental principles. Foundational" might be another way to describe this. I have not attempted to cover all aspects of polymer science, but the topics that have been discussed lay the foundstion—built on the bedrock of organic and physical chemistry—from which virtually all aspects of the subject are developed. There is an enormous literature in polymer science this book is intended to bridge the gap between the typical undergraduate background in polymers—which frequently amounts to little more than occasional relevant" examples in other courses—and the professional literature on the subject. 

Formaldehyde polymers have been known for some time (1) and early investigations of formaldehyde polymerization contributed significantly to the development of several basic concepts of polymer science (2). Polymers of higher aUphatic homologues of formaldehyde are also well known (3) and frequently referred to as aldehyde polymers (4). Some have curious properties, but none are commercially important. 

The concept and use of food polymer science in describing the behavior of starch during and after thermal treatment has been developed (20,21). In... 

The whole of polymer science is constructed around a battery of concepts which are largely distinct from those familiar in other families of materials, metals in particular. This is the reason why I invited an eminent polymer scientist who was originally a physical metallurgist to write, for a textbook of physical metallurgy edited by me, a chapter under the title A metallurgist s guide to polymers (Windle 1996). The objective was to remove some of the mystery surrounding polymer science in the eyes of other kinds of materials scientists. 

These facts are different demonstrations of the same event degradation reactions occur simultaneously with electropolymerization.49-59 These reactions had also been called overoxidation in the literature. The concept is well established in polymer science and consists of those reactions between the pristine polymer and the ambient that promote a deterioration of the original polymeric properties. The electrochemical consequence of a strong degradation is a passivation of the film through a decrease in the electrical conductivity that allows a lower current flow at the same potential than the pristine and nondegraded polymer film did. Passivation is also a well-established concept in the electrochemistry of oxide films or electropainting. 

It is now a common feeling that our world cannot survive as it is without plastics [1]. Starting from 1930, when the macromolecular concept started to gain acceptance in the scientific community [2], the advances in polymer science have been so striking that plastics have invaded almost every aspect of modern human life, both as daily materials and as sophisticated substrates able to cover high-tech applications [3]. A very easy and simple way to check this assertion is to visit the The Macrogalleria web site (1st floor) [4] where an extensive exemplification of the most common and important plastic applications in different fields is provided in a really immediate and impressive way. 

De Gennes PG (1976) Scaling concepts in polymer science. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York... 

The continued use of aw in foods does not preclude the use of other concepts or measurement methods, such as the food polymer science approach proposed by Slade and Levine (1991) or rotational and translation mobility as measured by NMR. Rather, it may be most useful to combine these various approaches, recognizing the strengths, perspective (i.e., distance and time scales), and limitations of each. Then, each approach can be utilized where it is most applicable so as to build a multilevel understanding of the workings of specific food systems. 

The introduction of Slade and Levine s food polymer science approach has mobilized (no pun intended ) a large number of researchers to pursue the question of how the glass transition concept applies to the processing and... 

Over the years Herman Mark has been known as polymer science s advocate, early explorer, spokesman, representative, teacher, and senior citizen. Starting, as we have seen, as a young man when the concept of high molecular weight was not accepted, Dr. Mark and his many associates confirmed the structure of polymers and helped open whole new areas of scientific research. 

There is an increased awareness of the place in history of science, particularly polymer science where many of those who contributed the basic building blocks are still alive. Ray Seymour is doing a series on the Pioneers of Polymer Science for Polymer News. Fred Eirich has been asked by the Journal of Chemical Education to write a history of the development of the "macromolecular concept." (As a side comment, those associated with the Journal of Chemical Education such as Tom Lippincott, have been "friendly" towards polymer chemistry and have assisted in the attempt to bring polymer chemistry into the mainstream of material presented to both the teaching staff and chemistry students alike). 

In order to present clear concepts it is necessary that idealized definitions be adopted but it is reeognized that the realities of polymer science must be faced. Deviations from ideality arise with polymers at both molecular and bulk levels in ways that have no parallel with the ordinary small molecules of organic or inorganic chemistry. Although such deviations are not explicitly taken into account in the definitions below, the terms recommended can usefully be applied to the predominant structural features of real polymer molecules, if necessary with self-explanatory, if imprecise, qualifications such as essentially. , almost completely. , or highly. . Although such expressions lack the rigour beloved by the purist, every experienced polymer scientist knows that communication in this discipline is impossible without them. 

The book is designed for the reader with some knowledge of polymer science so that familiarity with certain basic concepts is assumed. As the subject is developing so fast, the present monograph can only represent a snapshot of the current state of the art. Nevertheless, it is hoped that it provides a useful reference source and hopefully a discussion of future developments will be incorporated in a subsequent edition. 

The present book was prepared to provide an introduction to the field of inorganic polymers. There has long been a need for such a book, as opposed to the ready availability of numerous other books, that are highly specialized and written for scientists already working in this area. The only background required for its comprehension are the basic concepts presented in a typical undergraduate course in chemistry. Some famil-iarty with the fundamentals of polymer science would be helpful, but not necessary, since many of these are covered in an introductory chapter on polymer characterization. 

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