MTSC 755 – Polymer Processing and Properties
3 Credits. Taught by Theo Dingemans T/Th 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
How does one process ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene into ultra-strong fibers or how would you design a polymer shape-memory actuator? Polymer chemistry is important but equally important is the way how polymers are processed. In this course we will discuss the relationship between polymer chemistry, processing and the final, after processing, properties. We will discuss different processing methods that are currently in use) and which parameters play a role in controlling the final properties.

MTSC 780 – Advanced Materials Science
3 Credits. Taught by Jinsong Huang M/W 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
This course covers the physical fundamentals of material science with an in-depth discussion of structure formation in soft and hard materials and how structure determines material mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Topics include amorphous and crystal structures, defects, dislocation theory, thermodynamics and phase diagrams, diffusion, interfaces and microstructures, solidification, and theory of phase transformation. Special emphasis will be on the structure-property relationships of (bio)polymers, (nano)composites, and their structure property relationships.