Course: Thermoplastic & Functional Elastomers

With growing global concern regarding the increasing level of solid waste due to polymeric materials and interest in material recycling, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) provide an attractive alternative to conventional elastomers. This course will introduce participants to different types and contemporary uses of TPEs, in addition to the molecular design, synthesis and characteristics of TPEs derived from block copolymers. Thermodynamic considerations regarding network formation and bridging metrics in TPEs will be addressed by experimental observations, theoretical predictions and computer simulations. Blends of TPEs and their uses in conventional and emerging applications will be described, as will the chemical functionalization of TPEs for specialized technologies (e.g., designer additives, organic photovoltaics, soft actuators, separation membranes and antimicrobial materials). Click for full details.

Instructor: Richard Spontak, North Carolina State University