Teaching from Polymer Molecular Structure to Technological Properties; Requirements in Developing Countries

Abstract

© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Polymer Education is considered against a background of four questions. Why do we teach Polymer Science? To whom and by whom is Polymer Science taught? How can instruction in basic Polymer Science be related to capability in Polymer Technology? What aspects are important in developing countries? In developing countries innovative technological research and gathering "tacit knowledge" are needed if they are to break out of the "middle income trap". So the education of researchers, mostly in universities, as well as of those who will enter industry directly must encourage holistic thinking. Polymer science is usually taught as polymer chemistry, polymer physics and polymer engineering with very little connection between them. This article suggests how a bridge of understanding, being a consideration of polymer molecular motion, can inter-relate them.