Polymer Science Laboratory
A laboratory course from MIT's Department of Chemical Engineering covering the synthesis, characterization, and physical chemistry of polymers. Students carry out hands-on experiments including solution polymerization of acrylamide, bead polymerization of divinylbenzene, and interfacial polymerization of nylon 6,10. Additional labs evaluate polymer networks through tensile and swelling tests, examine the rheology of polymer solutions and suspensions, and compare the physical properties of natural and silicone rubber. Materials are published through MIT OpenCourseWare under a Creative Commons license and include lab assignments and course materials used in MIT's actual chemical engineering curriculum. The course is free to access, with no certificate offered, and is best suited to students who already have grounding in polymer or organic chemistry looking for practical, experiment-based reinforcement of synthesis and materials-testing techniques.