Smart Polymers

Recommended Prerequisites

Polymer Science.

Teaching Methods

Oral exposition class – Theoretical concepts will be explained using audiovisual support materials (mainly powerpoint). Whenever feasible some demonstrations will be performed in the class room.

Practical Lectures – Examples of industrial processes and research projects

Doubt sessions/extra classes – Whenever required by the students doubt session or extra classes can be scheduled.

Special seminars – Whenever possible seminars can be scheduled. An renowned specialist will be invited to give a lecturer about specific topics of interest in the scope of this class.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims to introduce the subject of  stimuli-responsive polymers. The curricular unit is organized in order to provide the students with the following competences: demonstrate broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a limited area of this field; demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames and to review and evaluate such work.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction to curricular unit; objectives, syllabus, teaching methodology and calendar, methods and evaluation standards, task description, main bibliography. Theoretical background to explain the stimuli-responsive behaviour of polymers (pH, temperature, light, ionic strength, mechanical stimulus, ultrasounds and glicose). Synthesis and modification methods.Examples of polymers that respond to stimuli. Aplications of smart polymers in coating, biomedical field and smart sensors.

Head Lecturer(s)

Jorge Fernando Jordão Coelho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

-Stevens, M.P. Polymer Chemistry - An Introduction. 3^rd Ed., Oxford University Press, 1999.

-Fried, J.R. Polymer Science and Technology, 2^nd Ed., Prentice Hall PTR, 2007.

-Cowie, J.M.G.; Arrighi, A. Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials, 3rd Ed., CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2008.

-Urban, M. K. Handbook of Stimuli-Responsive Materials, 1^st Ed., Wiley -VCH, 2011