Chemistry 7011
Professor Russo
chruss@lsu.edu
TuTh 9-10:30
Macromolecular Systems IV
Spring 2012
242 Choppin Hall
225-578-5729
Room Life Sciences A347
Course objectives:
1. Improved conceptual understanding of polymer fundamentals from a physical point of view,
with as little emphasis on rote memorization as possible.
2. Improved familiarity with advanced polymer techniques and methods.
3. Appreciation for modern issues in polymer science & engineering, including extensions to
colloidal and nanoscale particles.
4. Integration with ongoing research projects.
Structure: Each week, I will choose some topic I think you should know about and discuss that for one
lecture. The next day, we may consider a topic from your “wish list”.
Some of the stuff I want to cover, time permitting: Differential Dynamic Light Scattering, Diffusing Wave
Spectroscopy, Optical Rheology, Super-resolution Fluorescence Microscopy, Reptation, Polyelectrolytes
(LBL, Saloplastics, molecular devices), Rubber elasticity, Time-temperature superposition, Birefringence,
Polarizing Light Microscopy, Persistence length, Small-angle Neutron Scattering, Grad-Div-Curl & All That
(polyelectrolyte & diffusion connections).
Stuff from your wish list, in alphabetical order:
 Aggregation
 Cross-correlated Dynamic Light Scattering
 Liquid crystals
 Magnetic properties
 Microscopy
 Phase behavior
 Small-angle X-ray Scattering
 Polymers at surfaces (thin films)
 Rheology
Assignments:
1. Occasionally, I may issue problems—challenges, really—for you to solve.
2. Midterm: you will be requested to show a placeholder document in the form of an ACS journal
article. This must be in a subject reasonably close to this class, preferably emphasizing physical
measurement. Your advisor, if you have one, should know of the document.
3. Final:
Part 1. Progress on the placeholder document.
Part 2. Perhaps a short take-home exam.
Grades:
It is graduate school: the harder the material, the better the grades.