Polymers from the Inside Out: An Introduction to Macromolecules

Polymer science is concerned with the structure, synthesis, physical properties, and utility of polymers. Polymers are macromolecular building blocks used to construct natural and man-made materials. Polymers from the Inside Out: An Introduction to Macromolecules provides an all-encompassing introduction to polymers and how they affect the world.
Offering a clear explanation of the unique properties exhibited by polymers, this book explores the detailed microstructures of polymers and their internal responses to stress and the environment. Polymers from the Inside Out appeals to a wide range of disciplines, including polymer, organic, materials, and physical chemistry, as well as textile science and engineering.

Chapters include:

• Physical properties unique to polymeric materials
• Step-growth and chain-growth polymerizations
• Microstructures of polymers
• Conformational characteristics of polymers developed with the rotational isomeric states model
• Solution and bulk properties of polymers
• Biopolymers

Discussion questions appropriate for first- and second-semester polymer students at the end of every chapter Polymers from the Inside Out is designed to facilitate either a one-semester or two-semester course on polymers and is an essential resource for the practicing scientist.

Polymer science is concerned with the structure, synthesis, physical properties, and utility of polymers. Polymers are macromolecular building blocks used to construct natural and man-made materials. Polymers from the Inside Out: An Introduction to Macromolecules provides an all-encompassing introduction to polymers and how they affect the world.
Offering a clear explanation of the unique properties exhibited by polymers, this book explores the detailed microstructures of polymers and their internal responses to stress and the environment. Polymers from the Inside Out appeals to a wide range of disciplines, including polymer, organic, materials, and physical chemistry, as well as textile science and engineering.

Chapters include:

• Physical properties unique to polymeric materials
  
• Step-growth and chain-growth polymerizations
  
• Microstructures of polymers
  
• Conformational characteristics of polymers developed with the rotational isomeric states model
  
• Solution and bulk properties of polymers
  
• Biopolymers

Discussion questions appropriate for first- and second-semester polymer students at the end of every chapter Polymers from the Inside Out is designed to facilitate either a one-semester or two-semester course on polymers and is an essential resource for the practicing scientist.

Booknews

Polymers are inescapable. DNA and RNA are macromolecules, as are common polymers such as nylons, polyesters, polyethylene, and polyvinylchloride (PVC). The authors explain polymers' unique properties; contrast step- and chain-growth polymerization; and conclude with a focus on naturally-occurring biopolymers. Chapters include descriptions of classroom demonstrations and discussion questions. Suitable for one- or two-semester polymer science courses. Tonelli is a science professor at North Carolina State U. in Raleigh. Srinivasarao teaches textile and fiber engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

ALAN E. TONELLI, PhD, is KoSa Professor of Science at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

MOHAN SRINIVASARAO, PhD, is Professor in the College of Textile & Fiber Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.