The polymer laboratory at William and Mary consists of three experiments in polymer synthesis, four involving solution characterization of polymers, and two treating mechanical and thermal properties of bulk polymers. The objective of the laboratory is to give students hands-n experience with important techniques and to provide them with first-hand experience in the principles of polymer chemistry. Two major instruments are utilized in this project. First , a membrane osmometer for determining the number-average molecular weight of a polymer sample and a light-scattering photometer for the weight-average molecular weight and also for determining molecular sizes. The latter will also be used downstream from a GPC instrument for the analysis of molecular-weight distributions. The introduction of this laboratory courses allows the Department of Chemistry to make available to its majors a curriculum option of a chemistry major with a polymer emphasis. The institution is matching the award with an equal amount of funds.
