Description:

Introduction to Polymer Characterization:  Molecular Architecture, Morphology, and Thermomechanical Response

A two-day live virtual short course

June 10-11, 2025

Sponsored by the Golden Gate Polymer Forum.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of commonly implemented polymer characterization techniques to evaluate molecular composition, structure, processibility, and physical properties. A review of polymer characterization techniques will cover relevant instrumentation and its operation, sample preparation, data analysis, and measurement limitations. Brief presentations will highlight the underlying theoretical principles, but the presentations will focus on experimental design and data interpretation. Case studies will be employed to highlight the application, utility and nuances of measurement approaches through real data. The course is designed for all education levels and is accessible even with minimal background polymer knowledge.

 

List of topical areas:

- Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques for evaluation of molecular information
- Microscopy and scattering techniques for morphology and structure analysis
- Thermal analysis techniques for probing thermal transitions and polymer stability
- Mechanical techniques for plastic and viscoelastic properties
- Rheological experiments to assess processibility and influence of processing on polymer performance
- Topical examples around emerging technologies

 

Instructors

Tim Long

Arizona State University
School of Molecular Sciences
Biodesign Institute
School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing
https://longgroup.asu.edu/

Mike Bortner

Virginia Tech
Department of Chemical Engineering
Macromolecules Innovation Institute
https://www.bortnerlab.com/

Karen Winey

University of Pennsylvania
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
https://winey.seas.upenn.edu/

Mark Dadmun

University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Department of Chemistry
https://dadmunlab.utk.edu/

Giles Dillingham

Brighton Science
Founder and Chief Scientist
https://www.brighton-science.com/blog/giles-dillingham-chief-scientist-of-brighton-science

S. Eileen Seo

Arizona State University
School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
Biodesign Institute
Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing
https://faculty.engineering.asu.edu/eseo/

 

Lecture outline

2 day course, all times Pacific Time

Day 1 – Tuesday June 10, 2025

8:30 – Introductory statements from GGPF

8:45 - Characterization of Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distribution: Influence on Polymer Properties (T. Long)

9:45 – break

10:00 – FTIR, NMR and Raman Spectroscopy for Analysis of Structure and Composition (G. Dillingham)

11:00 – break

11:15 – Introduction to Mechanical Properties of Polymers (E. Seo)

12:15 – Lunch break

1:15 – Time and Temperature Dependence of Polymer Behavior: Viscoelasticity and DMA (M. Bortner)

2:15 - break

2:30 – Characterization of Polymer Thermal Stability: From Thermal Degradation and Water Uptake to Flame Resistance (T. Long)

3:30 – break

3:45 – Introduction to Thermal and Dynamic Analysis of Polymers (M. Dadmun)

 

Day 2 – Wednesday June 11, 2025

8:30 – Electron Microscopy Methods: What do electrons “see” in polymers? (K. Winey)

9:30 – break

9:45 – Practical Considerations for Shear and Extensional Rheology Measurements (M. Bortner)

10:45 – break

11:00 – Surface Characterization of polymers: AFM, ATR-FTIR, XPS, and surface energy (G. Dillingham)

12:00 – Lunch break

1:00 – Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS): What do X-rays “see” in polymers? (K. Winey)

2:00 – break

2:15 – Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS): What do neutrons “see” in polymers? (M. Dadmun)

3:15 – break

3:30 – Measuring Permeability of Polymer Films: Opportunities for Separation and Purification (E. Seo)

 

 

Logistical Notes and Registration Information

EVENT DATES:

Tuesday June 10 and Wednesday June 11 , 2025
Each day's lectures begin 8:30 AM Pacific time
Class materials will be presented using Zoom Webinar. Registrants will receive webinar information shortly before the class begins.

 

PRICING AND DEADLINES:

Registration deadline dates are tiered, with early, regular, and late registration fees.  All deadline times are Pacific time.

$400 early registration ends Wednesday, April 9, 11:59 PM

$500 regular registration ends Wednesday, May 21, 8:00 PM

$600 late registration, if still available, ends Wednesday, June 4, 8:00 PM

No registration is complete until payment is received.
No registrations allowed after 8 PM June 4.
GGPF may close registration earlier if in our opinion class size is becoming too large.

 

REGISTRATION INFO AND CANCELLATION POLICY:

Register with the form on this web page.  Please pay by credit card or PayPal on the GGPF secure registration form. If you absolutely must pay by check, contact GGPF well in advance for information to send checks to our Treasurer.

No cancellations or refunds are allowed after end of Regular Registration, at 8:00 PM, May 21.  If you cancel before then, you will receive a refund (minus a $50 processing fee).  If you must cancel after that, another member of your organization may be substituted for no extra cost; contact GGPF (Jennifer Hoffman) to make arrangements.   In the unlikely event that the short course is cancelled by GGPF, you will receive a complete refund (no processing fee ).

If your company requires it, the GGPF Tax ID number will be provided to you by e-mailing a request to Jennifer Hoffman. Please note that the conference registration fee covers the short course expenses and is not a tax deductible donation.

An automated e-mail receipt will be provided as soon as you register and is usually sufficient for corporate reimbursement. If you require a hardcopy receipt, please contact us (via Jennifer Hoffman) and one can be mailed to you.

Please register with the email you intend to use for the Zoom event when the class is live. Class Zoom info will be linked to your email account used for registration.  If you need to change the email after registration has already occurred, contact GGPF.

 

Contact information:

For general questions, including about course content, contact Clayton Henderson, macro2nano@verizon.net. Please make the subject line of the note include "GGPF Short Course".

For questions about registration, such as payment problems, web page issues, cancellations, or to request to pay by check, contact Jennifer Hoffman, jennifer.hoffman@me.eurofinsus.com

 

Important note about emails:

Registrants will be added to the GGPF email announcements list.  As a result, you will receive GGPF email announcements from our Constant Contact mail service, showing as from events@ggpf.ccsend.com.  Please put this address in your safe list.  On an ongoing basis, GGPF will send out 3 or 4 email announcements per month, and you should see those starting before the short course.  You may unsubscribe at any time from the mail list BUT DO NOT DO THAT BEFORE THE SHORT COURSE IS OVER, or you will miss information about the course that is sent out to registrants, such as the Zoom information.