Polymer chemists create, mix, and understand synthetic materials made from polymers. They experiment with different combinations of polymers to create new products. Early polymer chemists focused on discovering polymers, but modern ones find new uses for known polymers. Polymers are essential in plastics, medical research, and consumer products. Polymer chemists work in research and development, government, and academia.
A polymer chemist is a scientist who works to create, mix, and understand the chemical composition of various synthetic materials. Most synthetic materials, from the tough plastics used in aircraft and rocket skins to cleaners and rubber bands, are made at least in part from polymers. Polymers are complex molecules that can be broken down and bonded together to create new compounds. Experimenting with different combinations of polymers and creating and testing new products is the bulk of a polymer chemist’s job.
Early polymer chemists focused most of their time and energy on the discovery of polymers. All polymers are naturally occurring molecules that can be isolated from various compounds. A polymer is essentially a chain of certain molecules that are joined together in a repeating pattern. Each combination of molecules produces slightly different polymer characteristics.
These chemists spent time researching where polymers could be found, then devised different chemical extraction processes for isolation. Scientists have documented the composition of polymers and worked on finding ways to use polymers in everyday life. Nylon was one of the very first products made from polymers and owes its origins in large part to the work of a team of polymer chemists.
Today almost all polymers have been identified. A modern polymer chemist is typically not interested in the discovery of polymers, rather he spends his days finding new uses for those already known to exist. Substances can be combined, broken down and rearranged to highlight or enhance certain properties.
Polymer compounding is a separate area of chemistry studies, but overlaps with the study of organic chemistry in many ways. Organic chemistry is concerned with the molecular interactions and structural compositions of a wide range of chemical reactions. Polymer chemistry is complex, and a polymer chemist must have a solid grounding in this field in order to successfully apply polymer organic chemistry.
Understanding the chemistry of polymers helps scientists maximize their benefits. Polymers are essential to most plastics and play a very important role in medical research. Gene therapy, prosthetics, and organ regeneration programs all depend on polymers. There are uses for the molecules in industry as well, including the manufacture of durable tires and machine parts, as well as non-metallic airplane coatings and rocket casing.
Polymers are also essential ingredients in many consumer oriented products. Antibacterial soap, bleach-based cleaning products, and spandex clothing, for example, are all possible because carefully selected polymers have been included in the right proportions. It is the job of a polymer chemist to both identify how a specific polymer can be used, and to discern the practical ramifications and specifics of that use.
Most polymer chemistry jobs are in research and development, usually within manufacturing companies. These scientists help the company develop new products and improve the range of products already on the market. Polymer chemistry research also takes place in many national governments, especially in defense and security matters. Some also work in academia, conducting more fact-based research and teaching the polymer chemists of tomorrow.
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