Polymer Concepts across the Curriculum
The November 2017 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. The entire issue is focused on polymer concepts across the curriculum. This special issue provides useful ideas and tools for chemistry instructors of all levels.
Cover: Polymer Concepts across the Curriculum
Plastics, fibers, elastomers, and adhesives pervade our daily lives, ranging from commodity items made from poly(ethylene) and poly(vinyl chloride) to high-tech materials for aerospace, electronics, and medicine. Some are natural biopolymers such as cellulose and wool; most are products of synthetic chemistry. Because of the real-world applications experienced every day, students are motivated to learn about how polymers are made; how the unique thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of polymers are possible because of long-chain molecules. In response to a call for papers on polymer chemistry, this Journal of Chemical Education special issue provides useful ideas and tools for chemistry instructors of all levels, including foundational undergraduate courses as well as secondary school, general, and advanced chemistry courses, in addition to outreach efforts such as workshops and demonstrations for the public. These papers offer ideas and models for instructors to incorporate polymer chemistry into their own courses.
Editorial
Warren T. Ford served as the guest editor for this special issue. As a professor at Oklahoma State University, he taught organic chemistry and polymer chemistry for many years before retiring to teach at Portland State University. In his Editorial, he introduces and contextualizes the Journal of Chemical Education’s “Special Issue: Polymer Concepts across the Curriculum”.
Polymers in the Curriculum
Inclusion of Synthetic Polymers within the Curriculum of the ACS Certified Undergraduate Degree ~ Laura L. Kosbar and Thomas J. Wenzel
History of Polymer Education in the United States through the Efforts of the Committee on Polymer Education and the Intersociety Polymer Education Council ~ Charles E. Carraher Jr., Erik Berda, Frank D. Blum, John P. Droske, Warren T. Ford, Bob A. Howell, John M. Long, and Sarah E. Morgan
Teaching Polymer Science in the Department of Polymers at the University of Concepción, Chile: A Brief History ~ Patricio Flores-Morales, Víctor H. Campos-Requena, Nicolás Gatica, Carla Muñoz, Mónica A. Pérez, Bernabé L. Rivas, Susana A. Sánchez, Mario Suwalsky, Yesid Tapiero, and Bruno F. Urbano
Polymer Chemistry Courses
The Contribution of IUPAC to Polymer Science Education ~ Chin Han Chan, Christopher M. Fellows, Michael Hess, Roger C. Hiorns, Voravee P. Hoven, Gregory T. Russell, Cláudio G. dos Santos, Adriana Šturcová, and Patrick Theato
A Primer on Polymer Nomenclature: Structure-Based, Sourced-Based, and Trade Names ~ H. N. Cheng and Bob A. Howell
Hybrid Course Design: A Different Type of Polymer Blend ~ Spence C. Pilcher
Investigation of the Influence of a Writing-to-Learn Assignment on Student Understanding of Polymer Properties ~ Solaire A. Finkenstaedt-Quinn, Audrey S. Halim, Timothy G. Chambers, Alena Moon, R. S. Goldman, Anne Ruggles Gere, and Ginger V. Shultz
Introductory Activities and Demonstrations
Polymer Day: Outreach Experiments for High School Students ~ Jeffrey M. Ting, Ralm G. Ricarte, Deborah K. Schneiderman, Stacey A. Saba, Yaming Jiang, Marc A. Hillmyer, Frank S. Bates, Theresa M. Reineke, Christopher W. Macosko, and Timothy P. Lodge (This article is available to non-subscribers through ACS AuthorChoice.)
Augmenting Primary and Secondary Education with Polymer Science and Engineering ~ Rose K. Cersonsky, Leanna L. Foster, Taeyong Ahn, Ryan J. Hall, Harry L. van der Laan, and Timothy F. Scott
Tie-Dye! An Engaging Activity To Introduce Polymers and Polymerization to Beginning Chemistry Students ~ A. M. R. P. Bopegedera (Also discussed in Erica Jacobsen's Especially JCE: November 2017.)
Using Polymer Semiconductors and a 3-in-1 Plastic Electronics STEM Education Kit To Engage Students in Hands-On Polymer Inquiry Activities ~ Jessica L. Enlow, Dawn M. Marin, and Michael G. Walter
Writing Without Ink: A Mechanically and Photochemically Responsive PDMS Polymer for Science Outreach ~ Cameron L. Brown, Meredith H. Barbee, Jeong Hoon Ko, Heather D. Maynard, and Stephen L. Craig
The Preparation and Simple Analysis of a Clay Nanoparticle Composite Hydrogel ~ David S. Warren, Sam P. H. Sutherland, Jacqueline Y. Kao, Geoffrey R. Weal, and Sean M. Mackay
Demonstrating Unique Behaviors of Polymers ~ Jialong Shen and Alan E. Tonelli
General Chemistry
Lengthening the Chain: Polymers in General Chemistry ~ John W. Moore and Conrad L. Stanitski
Modules for Introducing Macromolecular Chemistry in Foundation Courses ~ Chris P. Schaller, Kate J. Graham, Henry V. Jakubowski, and Brian J. Johnson
Investigating Saltwater Desalination by Electrodialysis and Curriculum Extensions To Introduce Students to the Chemical Physics of Polymeric Ion-Exchange Membranes ~ Kevin Tkacz, Samuel T. E. Nitz, William White, and Shane Ardo
Identification and Formulation of Polymers: A Challenging Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Chemistry Lab Assignment ~ Wanda J. Guedens and Monique Reynders
Organic Chemistry
Structure–Property Relationships of Small Organic Molecules as a Prelude to the Teaching of Polymer Science ~ Gary E. Wnek
The Distribution of Macromolecular Principles throughout Introductory Organic Chemistry ~ Joel I. Shulman
Using 1H NMR Spectra of Polymers and Polymer Products To Illustrate Concepts in Organic Chemistry ~ Mary L. Harrell and David E. Bergbreiter
Synthesis of Polystyrene and Molecular Weight Determination by 1H NMR End-Group Analysis ~ Jay Wm. Wackerly and James F. Dunne
Inorganic Chemistry
Methods for Introducing Inorganic Polymer Concepts throughout the Undergraduate Curriculum ~ Daniel T. de Lill and Charles E. Carraher Jr.
The Art of Silicones: Bringing Siloxane Chemistry to the Undergraduate Curriculum ~ Taylor B. Longenberger, Kaleigh M. Ryan, William Y. Bender, Anna-Katharina Krumpfer, and Joseph W. Krumpfer
Copolymerization of Epoxides and CO2: Polymer Chemistry for Incorporation in Undergraduate Inorganic Chemistry ~ Donald J. Darensbourg
Analytical Chemistry
The Use of ATR-FTIR in Conjunction with Thermal Analysis Methods for Efficient Identification of Polymer Samples: A Qualitative Multi-instrument Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Experiment ~ Nicole M. Dickson-Karn
Discovering Volatile Chemicals from Window Weatherstripping through Solid-Phase Microextraction/Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry ~ Cornelia Rosu, Rafael Cueto, Lucas Veillon, Connie David, Roger A. Laine, and Paul S. Russo
Polymers and Green Chemistry
Green and Smart: Hydrogels To Facilitate Independent Practical Learning ~ Glenn A. Hurst
Polymeric Medical Sutures: An Exploration of Polymers and Green Chemistry ~ Cassandra M. Knutson, Deborah K. Schneiderman, Ming Yu, Cassidy H. Javner, Mark D. Distefano, and Jane E. Wissinger
Developing Students’ Understanding of Industrially Relevant Economic and Life Cycle Assessments ~ Claudia J. Bode, Clint Chapman, Atherly Pennybaker, and Bala Subramaniam
Illustrating Plastic Production and End-of-Life Plastic Treatment with Interlocking Building Blocks ~ Stephan Enthaler
From the Archives: A Feast of Polymer Activities
The Journal of Chemical Education has a long history of publishing polymer chemistry content. A sampling of some of the polymer activities in JCE in past issues include:
Polymer Basics: Classroom Activities Manipulating Paper Clips To Introduce the Structures and Properties of Polymers ~ Yunusa Umar
JCE Classroom Activity #11: What's Gluep? Characterizing a Cross-Linked Polymer ~ JCE staff
The Gelation of Polyvinyl Alcohol with Borax: A Novel Class Participation Experiment Involving the Preparation and Properties of a "Slime" ~ E.Z. Casassa, A.M. Sarquis, and C.H. Van Dyke
JCE Classroom Activity #80: Ions or Molecules? Polymer Gels Can Tell ~ Brett Criswell
JCE Classroom Activity #106. Sequestration of Divalent Metal Ion by Superabsorbent Polymer in Diapers ~ Yueh-Huey Chen, Jia-Ying Lin, Li-Pin Lin, Han Liang, and Jing-Fun Yaung; JCE Classroom Activity Connections: NaCl or CaCl2, Smart Polymer Gel Tells More ~ Yueh-Huey Chen, Jia-Ying Lin, Yu-Chen Wang, and Jing-Fun Yaung
JCE Classroom Activity #107. And the Oscar Goes to...A Chemist! ~ Collin R. Howder, Kyle D. Groen, and Thomas S. Kuntzleman; Creating and Experimenting with Fire Gel, an Inexpensive and Readily Prepared Insulating Material ~ Thomas S. Kuntzleman, Dakota J. Mork, Levi D. Norris, and Christopher D. Maniére-Spencer (These two papers are discussed further at ChemEdX in Holding Fire in the Palm of Your Hand by Tom Kuntzleman)
Bustin’ Bunnies: An Adaptable Inquiry-Based Approach Introducing Molecular Weight and Polymer Properties ~ Sean P. Mc Ilrath, Nicholas J. Robertson, and Robert J. Kuchta
Demonstrating the Effects of Processing on the Structure and Physical Properties of Plastic Using Disposable PETE Cups ~ Kendra A. Erk, Morgan Rhein, Matthew J. Krafcik, and Sophie Ydstie
Lithography of Polymer Nanostructures on Glass for Teaching Polymer Chemistry and Physics ~ Adi Sahar-Halbany, Jennifer M. Vance, and Charles Michael Drain
Microfluidics for High School Chemistry Students ~ Melissa Hemling, John A. Crooks, Piercen M. Oliver, Katie Brenner, Jennifer Gilbertson, George C. Lisensky, and Douglas B. Weibel
Take-Home Nanochemistry: Fabrication of a Gold- or Silver-Containing Window Cling ~ Dean J. Campbell, Richard B. Villarreal, and Tamara J. Fitzjarrald
Look to JCE for Many Concepts across the Curriculum
With over 94 years of content from the Journal of Chemical Education available, many concepts in chemistry have been discussed extensively—including the articles mentioned above, and many more, in the Journal of Chemical Education. Articles that are edited and published online ahead of print (ASAP—As Soon As Publishable) are also available.