SH1684

SECOND PERIODICAL PRACTICAL EXAMINATION

Instructions:

1. You are tasked to create a one-page report regarding the progress and future of polymer technology.
The report should answer the following questions:
a. What are the current advancements of polymer technology?
b. Are polymers today becoming more sophisticated in structure? Why or why not?
c. What possible drawbacks do you foresee in polymer technology in the future? Provide a
justification for your responses.
2. The essay must have the following format:
a. Minimum number of paragraphs : Two (three sentences minimum per paragraph)
b. Line Spacing : Single
c. Language Convention : English
d. Font Format (Face and Size) :
i. Arial (10)
ii. Verdana (10) iii. Calibri (11)
iv. Times New Roman (11)
v. Courier New (10)
vi. Garamond (11)
3. You will be graded based on the following rubric:

Report
Criteria Description Points
The content includes a clear statement of purpose or
theme and is creative, compelling, and clearly written. A
Content rich variety of supporting information contributes to 50
understanding topics, including properly cited (and
veritable) sources.
Organization of The report is well-designed and organized, indicating a
Narration logical arrangement of ideas in it. 40

• All the writing is done in complete sentences.

• Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout
Writing the paper. 10
Convention • The paper was organized and followed the specified
format.
Total Points 100
 1st Term, SY 2020-2021 *Property of STI Second Periodical Practical Examination
Page 1 of 1

Samuel E. Marcelino
Stem 212

What are the current advancements of polymer technology?

 Biomass-Derived Isoprene
What is it?  An isoprene, a key molecule used to produce tires, derived from
biomass like trees and grass.
How was it done? Scientists at the Center for Sustainable Polymers and at the
University of Minnesota have developed a way to “hybridize” the process of creating
biomass-derived isoprene. By fermenting sugars in biological material like grass and
leaves at a molecular level, they derive an intermediate known as itaconic acid. From
there, the acid is reacted with hydrogen to methyl-THF using Phosphorus Self-Pillared
Pentasil, offering a catalytic efficiency of over 90%.
What will change? The auto industry will gain a sustainable alternative to traditional
rubber-made tires which require significant usage of fossil fuels to produce and dispose
of. From an economic standpoint, tires may eventually be produced domestically from
readily-available resources in a more renewable fashion.
 Multi-Functional, Self-Healing Hydrogel
What is it?  A hydrogel (a water-swollen, 3-D polymer) with intrinsic “self-healing”
capabilities as well as additional functionality such as electro conductivity.
How was it done? Scientists at the University of Manitoba have developed a new way
to create mechanically stable, conductive polymer hydrogels. A chitosan (DCh-PPy)
polymerizes acrylic acid using iron atoms to create a double-network hydrogel; the iron
also contributes to exceptional self-healing properties. The new material takes only
minutes to “heal” completely when cut, and in addition to providing extreme
conductivity, it is flexible and highly pressure-sensitive.
What will change? Self-healing, electro conductive materials have long been seen as the
Holy Grail of adhesive medical technology. Industries like construction, digital
technology, and aeronautics are also highly interested in self-healing adhesives that
crosslink physical and mechanical properties.
 Stickier Super Glue
What is it?  A non-solvent glue that does not harden as it dries, making it suitable
for bonding polymeric and aqueous, elastic materials together.
How was it done? Researchers at the Johannes Kepler University Linz are studying the
potential of a new glue made from cyanoacrylates that have been diluted with a non-
solvent. When exposed to a surface containing water (such as a hydrogel), the glue
becomes “triggered” to polymerize by the water, effectively entangling polymer chains
with the attached material.
What will change? If perfected, the new technology could drastically impact implanted
devices such as false vertebrae, and even give people patches of “electronic skin” to
which devices could be attached.
Every day, advancements emerge in polymer technology providing endless new
opportunities for scientific and commercial study. Polymers are the future.

Are polymers today becoming more sophisticated in structure? Why or why

not?
 Yes because polymers are used to make electronic components

What possible drawbacks do you foresee in polymer technology in the future?

Provide a justification for your responses.
 People do not like to live near polymer producing industrial works.
Some people think plastic products look cheap compared with natural materials.
Made from oil, a non-renewable resource.
Most plastics are not biodegradable so there is a problem of how to get rid of them.
Sorting types of polymers for recycling can be expensive.
Because Human bodies absorb chemicals which are applied to plastics.
Any of the substances have been found to modify hormones or other possible effects on
human health.
Wildlife may be harmed or killed by polymers waste, contaminated with chemicals and
sometimes eaten by marine animals.