Polymers: concepts properties uses and sustainability

By Prof. Abhijit P Deshpande | IIT Madras

Learners enrolled: 904

ABOUT THE COURSE:
Polymers in solar cells, rubbers in soft robot, polymer composite in ISRO launch vehicle –these are some examples of cutting edge applications of polymeric materials. On the other hand, we see other examples of polymeric materials such as plastics and fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) all around us. What is so special about polymers, and why/how can they be used in such diverse applications? This course will introduce basic concepts related to polymeric materials; engineering estimations about their properties; various applications;and their impact on sustainability.

INTENDED AUDIENCE : Students, practitioners and researchers who want to learn basics of polymers

PREREQUISITES : First year courses in Maths, Physics and Chemistry, and Engineering Thermodynamics

INDUSTRIES SUPPORT : Plastics processors, FMCG companies,Automotive companies, Biotech firms

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Chemical Engineering
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	25 Jul 2022
End Date :	14 Oct 2022
Enrollment Ends :	08 Aug 2022
Exam Date :	30 Oct 2022 IST

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: What are polymers? What are their unique features?

Why are polymers so common?

Polymers: Molecular structure

Process, structure, property

Biopolymers

Molecular weight and distribution

Polymerization

Macromolecular nature

Week 2: Simple concepts related to single macromolecule

Renewable sources for polymers

Polymerization / depolymerization

States of interest

Application based terms

Reuse and repurpose

Molecular conformations

Size, mobility and flexibility

Polyelectrolytes

Week 3: Molecular arrangements and states of polymers

Structures in biopolymers

Amorphous / crystalline states

Orientation

Interactions

Kinetics of crystallization

Glass transition

Week 4: Polymeric systems of different kind

States in environment

Liquid crystalline polymers

Copolymers

Blends

Week 5: Blends, copolymers and composites

Microstructure in polymers

Composites

Stress strain response

Additives for polymeric systems

Blends / composites in recycling

Physical / chemical crosslinking

Mechanical properties

Week 6: Physico-chemical, mechanical and electrical properties of polymers

Physical and chemical aging

Solutions: properties

Conducting polymers

Dielectric response

Plasticity

Properties of composites

Week 7: Viscoelasticity in polymers

Viscoelasticity: introduction

Thermal response

Viscoelasticity: characterization

Viscoelasticity – simple models

Dynamic mechanical analysis

Damping Applications

Time Temperature superposition

Impact and energy absorption

Week 8: Viscoelasticity in polymers / Interaction of polymers with other materials

Testing for applications

Properties of blends

Biomimetic polymers

Advanced mechanics

Viscoelastic response: examples

Polymer packaging

Porous polymers / membranes

Polymer at interfaces

Diffusion in polymers

Week 9: Interaction of polymers with other materials / Polymers processing and recycling

techniques

Compatibilizers

Biopolymer applications

Adhesives and Paints

Dissolution and recovery

Polymerization kinetics

Polymerization reactors

Polymer processing

Week 10: Polymers processing and recycling techniques

Flow simulations

Processing for recycling

Recycle, up-down cycling

Flow behaviour - rheology

Crosslinking

Conversion of polymers

Week 11: Polymers processing and recycling techniques

Rheology and entanglement

Rheological models

Rheology and processing

Absorption and leaching

Swelling of polymers

Viscosity for polymer processing

Week 12: Polymeric materials in nature

Microplastics, aerosols, sediments

Biodegradation of polymers

Biodegradable polymers

Books and references

Polymer Science and Technology, JR Fried,Prentice Hall, 2014
Materials Science of Polymers for Engineers,TA Osswald and G Menges, Hanser, 2012
Introduction to Polymers, RJ Young and PALovell, 2011

Instructor bio

Prof. Abhijit P Deshpande

IIT Madras

Abhijit P. Deshpande is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras. His research focus is on polymeric systems, more specifically their aggregation and gelation behaviour. In his group, polymeric materials such as hydrogels and membranes are being investigated for applications in electrical, electromehcanical and electrochemical devices. His teaching interests include specialized courses in polymers, fluid mechanics, rheology and continuum mechanics; and core chemical engineering courses such as mass transfer and thermodynamics

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 30 October 2022 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Madras .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team

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