Basic definitions, types of polyreactions, constitution of homo- and copolymers, networks, configurative and conformative aspects, contour length, coil formation, mobility, glass temperature, rubber elasticity, molecular weight distribution, energetics of and examples for polyreactions.

Physical properties and fracture mechanics of brittle materials.Introduction to polymers.

The course teaches the basics and terminology of polymer synthesis. To synthesize various polymeric materials, different polymerization techniques are required. This course will introduce representative polymerization methodologies and will discuss how they operate in order to yield materials with enhanced polymeric characteristics.