Classes

Polymeric Materials II

Semester: 
Fall

Sol-gel transition. Rubber vulcanization. Elasticity of the rubber.
Viscoelasticity: viscoelastic models, master curves, time-temperature overlap principle, WLF equation, Boltzmann superposition principle.

Brief reference to the mechanical properties of polymer matrix composites.
Main commercial polymers. Additives. Properties and applications.
General information on polymer processing. Polymers and environment. The evolution of polymer materials, natural polymers, opportunities, and challenges.

Polymer Chemistry

Semester: 
Fall

Course Program:
Introduction: Concepts and Definitions;History of the concept of polymer; Examples and nomenclature.
Polymer Molecular Weights.Classification of polymerization reactions;Condensation (Step-Growth) Polymerization.Radical Chain polymerization.Chain Copolymerization.
Chemical Modification reaction of polymers.Polymer Hydrolysis reactions.
Techniques for characterization of polymers.Some industrial applications.

Biomaterials

Semester: 
Fall

Biomaterials, i.e. materials for medical applications, can be natural or of synthetic origin but in all cases are designed to interact with the human body. The Biomaterials course will be structured in two parts. In part one, we will analyze the structure and behavior of synthetic materials used as implants to treat injuries and diseases: metals, polymers, ceramics and glasses, composite materials (here we include cellular materials). Part two will focus on the structure and properties of natural biological tissues, including hard and soft tissues and tissue inflammatory response.

Foams and Cellular Materials

Semester: 
Spring

The course covers issues related to the structure and properties of foams and cellular materials. It will be studied in detail the mechanical, thermal, electrical and acoustic properties of cellular materials with a view to a diverse range of applications (construction, biomaterials, etc.). The focus is on the structure-properties relationship of such materials in order to provide students with tools for the development of new cellular materials.

Introduction to Biomaterials

Semester: 
Spring

The word "Biomaterial" refers to a broad set of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) with very different properties. All biomaterials are biocompatible, and are used in various medical applications. 

The main goal of the course is to give an insight to materials structure-properties relationship, with enphasis on materials for biomedical applications.