?? Giant molecules are important in our everyday life. But, as pointed out by the authors, they are also associated with a culture. What Bach did with the harpsichord, Kuhn and Flory did with polymers. We owe a lot of thanks to those who now make this music accessible ??Pierre-Gilles de GennesNobel Prize laureate in Physics(Foreword for the 1st Edition, March 1996)This book describes the basic facts, concepts and ideas of polymer physics in simple, yet scientifically accurate, terms. In both scientific and historic contexts, the book shows how the subject of polymers is fascinating, as it is behind most of the wonders of living cell machinery as well as most of the newly developed materials. No mathematics is used in the book beyond modest high school algebra and a bit of freshman calculus, yet very sophisticated concepts are introduced and explained, ranging from scaling and reptations to protein folding and evolution. The new edition includes an extended section on polymer preparation methods, discusses knots formed by molecular filaments, and presents new and updated materials on such contemporary topics as single molecule experiments with DNA or polymer properties of proteins and their roles in biological evolution.

The Second Edition of Giant Molecules presents an introductory textbook on large molecules that exhibit specific physical and biological properties related to their size, orientation, and environment, making this subject accessible to students from high school to universities. Written by Charles Carraher, author of more than forty books on the subject, this up-to-date guide presents material in an integrated fashion, marrying fundamentals with illustrative applications. The text assumes no previous formal scientific training, and includes new and updated questions and answers, a glossary of relevant terms, bibliographies, visual aids, and related Web links in every chapter. Giant Molecules, Second Edition will appeal to individuals who have a personal or professional interest in polymers, as well as to college chemistry and materials science students who study polymers.

Introduction to Polymer Chemistry provides undergraduate students with a much-needed, well-rounded presentation of the principles and applications of natural, synthetic, inorganic, and organic polymers. With an emphasis on the environment and green chemistry and materials, this fourth edition continues to provide detailed coverage of natural and synthetic giant molecules, inorganic and organic polymers, elastomers, adhesives, coatings, fibers, plastics, blends, caulks, composites, and ceramics. Building on undergraduate work in foundational courses, the text fulfills the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (ACS CPT) in-depth course requirement

Accompanied by an introductory overview of the history of polymer science, this book contains biographical sketches of 12 pioneers, from Marcellin Berthollet and John Wesley Hyatt to Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta. It also includes time charts before each chapter that summarise significant events.

This history of the government-funded synthetic rubber research program (1942-1956) offers a rare analysis of a cooperative research program geared to the improvement of existing products and the creation of new ones. The founders of the program believed the best way to further research in the new field was through collaboration among corporations, universities, and the federal government. Morris concludes that, in fact, the effort was ultimately a failure and that vigorous competition proves the best way to stimulate innovation. Government programs, like the rubber research program, are far better at improving existing products, the author contends, than creating wholly new ones.

This Third Edition of the classic, best-selling polymer science textbook surveys theory and practice of all major phases of polymer science, engineering, and technology, including polymerization, solution theory, fractionation and molecular-weight measurement, solid-state properties, structure-property relationships, and the preparation, fabrication and properties of commercially-important plastics, fibers, and elastomers.