Interdisciplinary
Research
Polymeric Systems
Bioerodible polymer nanofibers are developed as scaffolding for tissue regeneration. (Photo Credit: Allcock Group, Penn State & Laurencin Group, UVa)
Polymers are organic based substances that exist both in nature and as manmade materials. The polymer molecule is a long chain of covalent-bonded atoms containing many chemically bonded units that together form a solid. Natural polymers include DNA, proteins, and plant cellulose. Synthetic polymers have wide industrial uses as plastics, elastomers, and composites. Polymer systems are used in transportation vehicles (especially aerospace), biomedical applications, energy storage, flexible electronics, and solar photovoltaics.
Polymer research crosses many disciplinary boundaries, including chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, bioengineering, and medicine. Penn State research strengths range from theory and modeling to synthesis of nanocomposite polymer materials to devices.