Diapers and polymers

Cleary, Joseph G.

doi:10.1021/ed063p422

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…Upon testing their hypotheses experimentally, the students found that each diaper retained approximately 1–1.5 L of deionized water. Most disposable diapers, including those used for this experiment, contain superabsorbent hydrophilic polymer gels, specifically cross-linked sodium poly(acrylate)/poly(acrylic acid) copolymers . The functional groups on the polymer backbone are a mixture of neutral carboxylic acids and carboxylate anions with sodium cations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most disposable diapers, including those used for this experiment, contain superabsorbent hydrophilic polymer gels, specifically cross-linked sodium poly(acrylate)/poly(acrylic acid) copolymers. 34 The functional groups on the polymer backbone are a mixture of neutral carboxylic acids and carboxylate anions with sodium cations. When no water is present, the cross-linked polymer chains exist in a coiled state, though repulsion between charged carboxylate pendants tends to push these coils apart.…”

Section: Polymer Swelling/rheologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Polymer Day: Outreach Experiments for High School Students

et al. 2017

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We present a collection of hands-on experiments that collectively teach precollege students fundamental concepts of polymer synthesis and characterization. These interactive experiments are performed annually as part of an all-day outreach event for high school students that can inform the development of ongoing polymer education efforts in a university setting. The Advanced Polymer Synthesis experiment aims to introduce broad concepts of polymer synthesis. Techniques such as ring-opening polymerization are explained and demonstrated. The Block Polymer Micellization experiment extends this idea to block polymers for drug delivery applications. Students are taught the idea of self-assembly and prepare micelles to encapsulate β-carotene in water with flash nanoprecipitation. In terms of materials characterization, the vast physical properties space of polymers is explored. The Happy–Sad Spheres experiment provides an interactive demonstration of the glass transition temperature, while the Polymer Swelling/Rheology experiment features the interesting properties of cross-linked and entangled polymers. Evaluation surveys showed positive feedback from students in learning polymer concepts through this program. Overall, the simple principles taught by these outreach experiments can be easily incorporated into modern laboratory curricula with broad implications for disseminating public knowledge and promoting continued interest in polymer science and engineering.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Polymer Swelling/rheologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymer Day: Outreach Experiments for High School Students

et al. 2017

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“…More sophisticated students can calculate the amount of water absorbed per gram of polymer and even make slices of the material for microscopic examination. 8. Workshop Wrap-up.…”

Section: Workhop Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 Water-soluble bags (polyvinyl chloride film) are distributed by Medline Industries, #1 Medline Place, Mundelein, IL 60060. 8 The Polymer Education Newsletter may be obtained free by writing Jane C. Vogl, Div. of Polymer Chemistry, Polytechnic Institute of New York, 333 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.…”

Section: Workhop Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymers, polymers, everywhere!: A workshop for pre-high school teachers and students

Sherman¹

1987

J. Chem. Educ.

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“…Although similar activities and demonstrations involving alginate cross-linking and diapers have been reported before, different approaches and learning goals have been employed. ,,− Ting et al presents valuable polymer-chemistry topics for high-school students, such as advanced polymer synthesis, block polymer micellization, and polymer swelling and rheology . The students are instructed to use diapers to investigate the absorption capacity of SAP.…”

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confidence: 99%

Polymers, Giant Molecules with Properties: An Entertaining Activity Introducing Polymers to Young Students

2019

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In this activity, polymer materials are introduced to 13–16 year old students. The activity is aimed at students with no or little knowledge of polymers. An engaging lecture covering the basics of polymer technology and sustainable development in the plastics field is presented. Important polymers such as polyethylene (PE), cellulose, and polylactide (PLA) are presented, and examples of their everyday use are shown. Quiz questions are employed in the introductory lecture to engage the students, to start discussions, and to evaluate the learning progress. The students are then engaged in two entertaining activities involving a natural polymer alginate and superabsorbent polymers. Alginate spaghetti is produced using different salt solutions enabling the students to create and destroy materials just by playing around with the chemistry, which helps them understand the polymeric material. The second activity has an application-based approach where the ability of superabsorbent polymers in diapers to retain water is investigated. The overall quiz results and discussions after the activities show an improved understanding of polymers and their applications and properties, making this activity useful for teaching polymers to young students.

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Diapers and polymers

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Polymer Day: Outreach Experiments for High School Students

Polymer Day: Outreach Experiments for High School Students

Polymers, polymers, everywhere!: A workshop for pre-high school teachers and students

Polymers, Giant Molecules with Properties: An Entertaining Activity Introducing Polymers to Young Students

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