Journal #2
Research Goals and General Goals:
- Research Polymerization processes and the different processes to produce polymers
- Research Polymer structure and nomenclature
- Design and set up a lab demonstration undergoing the chemical process of polymerization
My Research:
For these weeks, I had decided to research on the basics of polymers rather than just the polymerization process. To go about this, I had delved into the polymer segment of Micheal Evan’s Organic Chemistry II, Bio-organic Edition course hosted on YouTube. This class, taught by a Georgia Tech Chemical Engineering Professor, had directed me through the structure and properties of Organic Polymers, the nomenclature of polymers, and the differences between linear and branched polymers. Through this course segment, I have expanded my own personal knowledge of what a polymer is and how to go about forming these polymers with carefully set up aspects that will keep the process from confounding. Polymers all have different, varying properties, such as molecular weights (typically high), tensile strength, impact resistance (in reference to collisions with other atoms), melt viscosity, and melting temperature. Different polymers can also maintain various conductivities, where application of this change from insulators to conductive material.
From this research, I took the initiative to start creating a laboratory set up to demonstrate my knowledge over the topic, along with create some concrete evidence as a basis for my wet-spinning machine. With the support of one of my expert advisors, I had dialed the scope of my experiment to utilize only two chemical compound that are highly reactive towards one another, 1-6, hexanediamine and Sebacoyl Chloride. These two compounds will go about a free-radical polymerization, specifically bulk polymerization. To go about running this demonstration, with the permission of my expert advisor, I will safely recreate my lab within my school’s chemistry classrooms over winter break. In order to prepare, I had purchased both legally and am waiting for their arrival. I plan to film this demonstration for both proof of concept and entertainment value for my presentation for my presentation.
Sources:
Introduction to Organic Polymers." YouTube, uploaded by Michael Evans, 28 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCSel91jFaM&list=PLykBd3LSjfsTPbhbIujp909K-HPkrS8P7&index=107. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
"Structure and Nomenclature of Polymers." YouTube, uploaded by Michael Evans, 28 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZufFaYsTyU&list=PLykBd3LSjfsTPbhbIujp909K-HPkrS8P7&index=108.
"Ionic Chain Polymerization-Cationic Polymerization." YouTube, uploaded by PolymerWorld, 22 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE72--6ml7A&list=PLEbdbXWE8jWzt2vZeMfGQeg8gUZuWO0M6&index=4.
"Free Radical/Addition Polymerization/Chain Reactions." YouTube, uploaded by PolymerWorld, 25 Feb. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ruPbIaIYM4&list=PLEbdbXWE8jWzt2vZeMfGQeg8gUZuWO0M6&index=3. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Accomplishments:
- Completed Basic research over polymers and the polymerization process
- Finished research over basic free-radical polymers and the chemical compounds to create them
- Purchased and established dates to set up and demonstrate lab going through the polymerization process
Reflections on Goals and Timeline:
Completing the polymerization research is a big goal I am excited to have completed, and being able to create this lab demonstration is going to feed my passion to pursue this project to a greater extent. With that said, I am extremely behind on my actual timeline, even with the cuts to some of the project objective I had initially had. Durning the break, I intend on expanding what I have currently worked on and hope to either have a good amount of my mid-year presentation done or a good amount of research on the actual machines I wish to recreate finished.