Block Copolymer Nanopatterns as Enabling Platforms for Device Applications—Status, Issues, and Challenges

Synthesis of PCL–PEG–PCL Triblock Copolymer via Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization and Its Application as an Injectable Hydrogel—An Interdisciplinary Learning Trial

“…As a flourishing interdisciplinary subject, polymer science has greatly facilitated the progress of innovative technologies in many fields, such as medicine, electronics, and the aerospace industry. − Laboratory experiment is an important part of teaching polymer science to undergraduates, and is aimed at training their experimental skills and cultivating their research interest. However, most of the polymer experiments just involve classical reactions and types, although a few new experiments reflect the development of the discipline. − Polymer chemistry experiments focus on the skills of polymer synthesis but sometimes ignore the properties and applications of synthetic materials. ,, Meanwhile, teaching experiments of polymer physics and polymer chemistry experiments are independent of each other in most of cases .…”

Teaching Polymer Theory through the Living Polymerization and Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Poly(butyl methacrylate) Homo- and Copolymers

“…Polymer science is a transformative field that has enabled emerging technologies across medicine, electronics, and the aerospace industry. − Recently, living polymerization techniques that provide precise control over molecular architecture have allowed chemists to begin to approach the architectural precision of natural biopolymers, which are monodisperse and can perform highly specific functions. , To date, the well-defined polymers synthesized by living polymerization have unlocked material technologies from lighter car parts for the auto industry to more durable biomaterials. − With still more nuanced material technologies on the horizon, the importance of understanding structure–property relationships for students interested in polymer chemistry is growing. − Here, we describe a learning module, accessible to graduate-level students with backgrounds in either chemistry or engineering, that uses living polymerization and thermomechanical characterization to demonstrate the relationships between polymer structure and material properties.…”

Investigating Sequential Vapor Infiltration Synthesis on Block-Copolymer-Templated Titania Nanoarrays

“…These techniques, however, are limited by trade-offs among resolution, cost, and throughput. Other techniques, including nanoimprint lithography (NIL), nanostencils, and block-copolymer (BCP) templates, are capable of the efficient and large-scale fabrication of nanostructures. − Block copolymers use molecules as building blocks, which enables high feature densities (>10 9 cm –2 ) with spatial resolutions down to a few nanometers. BCP templates can be converted into nanoarrays of different materials by either lithography − or selective chemistry of the polymer blocks. − BCP templates have been demonstrated using solution-based micelles of amphiphilic copolymers deposited as thin films on a surface, instead of phase-separated thin-film morphologies.…”