We all come in contact with numerous polymeric products in everyday life. From water bottles to packaging to the cover of the iPad, many things are made of polymers. Polymers are also important materials for modern microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) allowing cost effective mass market compatible products, e.g., in the life sciences or diagnostics. But polymers are not just cost-effective replacements for more expensive classical materials in MEMS (such as, e.g., silicon) – some polymers have intrinsic properties that make them ideal materials for sensors, actuators or templates for biology and chemistry in MEMS.
This lecture will introduce the basics of organic chemistry required for understanding what polymers are, how they are manufactured and which mechanisms are responsible for their unique properties. The lecture will highlight (in the context of MEMS but also in a wider scope) where and why polymers are applied with a strong focus on their chemical and physical properties (and on their synthesis).
Modalities of the course
The course is an online self-taught course, i.e., you can study the lecture material using the presented material at your own leisure and pace. If you have questions, please PM the teacher or write a message to the forum - the teacher will be informed about new messages posted daily.
Appointments for the oral exam can be made with the teacher at any point in time - there is no fixed exam period.
The current self-enrollment key is: 12polymemsA343
- Teacher: Bastian Rapp