Mini Lecture: “Introduction on Polymers – From their synthesis to their applications”

The planned guest lecture on Polymer Science will develop on 5 sessions of 1.5 hours each
the following topics.

Monday 9th December 14:15-15:45: The lecture will first introduce what are
macromolecules, where are they found in nature and how mankind found a way to synthesize
them in order to obtain polymers. The main polymerization reactions and polymer families
will be presented.

Thursday 12th December 10:15-11:45 and 14:15-15:45: Afterwards, a focus on
semicrystalline polymers will follow. The influence of chemical structure, chain length and
morphology on crystallinity will be discussed. Experimental methods, such as X-ray diffraction
and DSC, to characterize crystallinity will be presented. Then, the glass transition phenomenon
and secondary molecular transitions will be detailed for amorphous and semi-crystalline
polymers. The influence of chemical structure and morphology on these phenomena will be
also detailed, with experimental techniques to characterize them, such as DSC, DMA and
Dielectric Spectroscopy, will be detailed.

Friday 13th December 10:15-11:45 and 14:15-15:45: Furthermore, a focus on biosourced
polymers will be introduced, and their current importance as a means to reduce the carbon
footprint of these materials in functional-oriented applications. Finally, a summary on the
functional and industrial applications of the most common polymers will be given, as regards
their chemical structure and physicochemical and mechanical properties.
These lectures are aimed to be a general introduction on polymer science from a
physicochemical point of view and will be set so as to appeal to a public not familiarized with
these materials.