Planet Polymer

1. Planet Polymer By: Chelsea Zacher and Brianna Kaylor Summer Bridge Program Academy of Science Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Dr. Jennifer Burris, Dr. Nicole Bennett, and Dr. Barry Kurtz http://www.californiasailplanes.com/duckedit.jpg

2. Isn’t Polymer Fancy for ‘Plastic’? Polymers consist of long, repeating chain of smaller units called monomers. Monomers are typically about 4-10 atoms in size. They bond readily in a process called polymerization. Polymers have the highest molecular weight among any molecules Polymers are the largest and most diverse class of known molecules. And yes, they do include plastics. http://www.thisnext.com/tag/freshvac-storage-set/

3. So What Is a Polymer? • An example of a basic polymer is PVC (or polyvinyl chloride). • PVC is a repeating chain of the monomer vinyl chloride. • It is very lightweight and durable. (http://www.mpcfaculty.net/mark_bishop/addition_polymers.htm - Below PVC)

4. spoons • shampoo bottles • shoe string tips • food wraps • disposable razors • egg cartons • thread spools • margarine tubs • disposable diapers • coffee stirrers • insulation caulking • beverage boxes • shrink wrap • bubble pack • Silly String • Silly Putty • Slime • cellophane tape • epoxy glue • Super Glue • dish pan • pens • plastic glasses and cups • plastic dishes • Teflon cookware • food storage containers2-liter pop bottles • motor oil bottles • plastic knives forks and • typewriter ribbon • metallic balloon • Habitrail • flea collar • index tabs • life raft • umbrella • Nerf ball • Frisbee • snorkel • swim fins • wet suit • cleats • football • shuttlecock • hockey puck • rubber gloves • comb • toothbrush • ceiling light covers • table tops • chair seat • carpet • refrigerator • telephone • floor tile • synthetic fabrics for clothing • rubber soles on shoes • bicycle and automobile paint • bicycle and automobile tires • windshield • dashboard • floor mat • vinyl top • bicycle hand grips • reflector • shoe box • vinyl wall covering • sunglasses glasses • compacts • contact lenses • pencil cases • lipstick tubes • chapstick tube • hair spray • windbreaker • raincoat • hose • galoshes • sweater • model plane • model car jewelry • pacifier • baby bottles • baby rattles • cushions • foam rubber pillow • pillow case • exercise mat • photographic film • photographs • flashcubes • decorative fruit • plastic flowers • mannequins • street signs • store signs • book bag • chemistry classroom desk • school desk • knapsack insulated foam cups • milk jugs • garbage bags • toothpaste tubes • sandwich bags • fast food containers • shoe strings • junk food bags Polymers Everywhere • volleyball and net • basketball • racquetball • tennis ball • tennis racquet and strings • guitar strings • balloons • rubber band • credit card • portable radio • computers • watch faces • safety glasses • false teeth • hearing aids • lunch box • coffee mug • thermos bottle • lunch tray • flower pot • supermarket meat trays • microwave cookware • lawn chair • welcome mat • Astroturf • Velcro • football helmet • football • pads • buttons • erasers • thread • wig • false eyelashes • surfboards • parachute • sailboat • sail • Pontiac Fiero • Corvette • Honda CRX • gears • Lucite sculpture • playing cards • floor wax • furniture polish • sousaphone • clarinet • flute • recorder • records • tape recorder • videotapes • audio tapes • computer discs • luggagetypewriter case • football • pads http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.greenworld365.com

5. Natural vs. Synthetic Polymers • Natural: • Extracted from rubber tree • harvested as a latex • Water based • Naturally occurring polymers: • Silk • Wool • DNA • Cellulose • Proteins • Synthetic: • Derived from petroleum oil • Made by scientists • Some familiar products: • Nylon • Teflon • Polyester • Acrylic Paint • Epoxy http://www.adamcarolla.com/AHBlog/wp-content/gallery/ep112/01-pvc-pipe.jpg http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/OS-414-4-73L-PS.jpg http://gelfand.web.cmu.edu/scimodules/1._What_is_a_polymer.html

6. Are People Polymers? • Human DNA is a • polymer with over 20 billion • constituent atoms. • All life is composed of DNA, which is a long chain of monomers called nucleotides linked together. http://www.djfeathers.com/shop/images/deposits/DNA.jpg

7. Brief History of Synthetic Polymers • 1860- Alexander Parkes created the first man-made plastic called Parkesine • Can be molded when heated • Will retain it’s shape when cooled • 1868- John Wesley Hyatt invented celluloid as a substitute for ivory billiard balls. • First flexible photographic film used for still photography and motion pictures K

8. Brief History of Synthetic Polymers cont… • 1930 -   Synthetic rubber was developed by the Carothers • 1938 -  Roy Plunkett discovers Teflon • originally used only in war effort but modified for convenient kitchen use in later years. • 1946 -   Tupperware was created by Earl Tupper. • 1962 -   Nickel-Titanium alloy shape memory • used for braces and flexible eyeglasses frames. • 1964 - Acrylic Paints and Carbon Fiber Developed (the latter by Leslie Phillips) • Carbon fiber was developed to be twice as strong as steel for the same weight.

9. Present and Future • 1990s to present   • Nanotechnology- though polymers are usually macromolecules, their applications branch into micro-science and technology at the atomic level. • The future of polymers has no end in sight. • Super cars, speed trains, personal helicopters, 3D film and devices, apple devices, supercomputers, astrological technology, artificial super skin (in the biomedical field)- all part of the fast moving world of synthetic polymers. Nowtry to imagine this planet as we know it without polymers. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=carbon+fiber+lamborghini&hl=en&biw

10. Acknowledgements • Dr. Rahman Tashakkori • Dr. Jennifer Burris • Dr. Nicole Bennett • Dr. Barry Kurtz • Academy of Science Summer Bridge 2011 (NSF supported) • Mr. Jim Davis • Ms. Jennifer Gallagher

11. Works Cited • Jacobson, Annette. "Macromolecule Products." Polymers and Surfaces Program Outreach Project. Department of Chemical Engineering Carnegie Mellon University, 2009. Web. 2 Aug 2011. <http://gelfand.web.cmu.edu/scimodules/1._What_is_a_polymer.html>. • "2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera " Left Lane. MNM Media, LLC, n.d. Web. 2 Aug 2011. http://www.leftlanenews.com/lamborghini-gallardo-lp570-4-superleggera.html#.  • "High-performance Materials Timeline." Greatest Achievements. National Academy of Engineering, 2011. Web. 2 Aug 2011. http://www.greatachievements.org/?id=3805.  • Constable, George. A Century of Innovation: Twenty Engineering Achievements That Transformed Our Lives. 2003. Joseph Henry Press, 2003. 229-239. Print.