Polymers in Our Lives

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Polymers in Our Lives
Much of nature's artistry depends on the ability
to spin complexity from simplicity by linking
small, mobile, and easily transportable molecules
into chains and webs.
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Polymers in Nature
3
Rubber is also a natural polymer
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Nature's Building Block
- Wood - Grass - Very similar to starch
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Humankind's Use of Polymers
As well as making use of natural polymers such
as wood and silk, humans have learned to make
polymers by a variety of methods.
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Formation of Rubber
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Not All Insulating
Dr. Hideki Shirakawa
- Obtained shiny material when too much catalyst
used.
In conversations with Dr. Alan Heeger, and Dr.
Alan MacDiarmid, discovered that polymer was
able to conduct electricity
Used on photographic paper as antistatic, non
toxic developing agent.
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First Popular Man-Made Polymer
Wallace Caruthers (DuPont) - 1935 - 6,6-Nylon
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6,6-Nylon (Wearing the smell of death)