Polymer Physics
Polymer chains, their conformations, and the physics behind them anchor this MIT OpenCourseWare course. Topics include molecular dimensions of chains in solutions, melts, blends, and block copolymers, the structural differences between glassy, crystalline, and rubbery elastic states, and the thermodynamics governing polymer solutions, blends, and crystallization. Later sessions cover liquid crystallinity, microphase separation, and self-assembled organic-inorganic nanocomposites. Case studies connect molecular structure to macroscopic function in technologically important polymer systems such as those used in optics and mechanical components. Materials draw on MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering curriculum and include lecture notes and problem sets typical of MIT OCW offerings. No enrollment fee or certificate is involved since this is a self-paced open courseware release; learners work through the materials independently at their own pace.