Soft Matter Characterization Laboratory

Undergraduate / Graduate

The goal of this course is to train students in the fundamental experimental approaches to polymer and soft materials characterization. The course will cover both the theory and practice of techniques focused on three themes: molar mass determination (size exclusion chromatography, laser light scattering, NMR spectroscopy); morphology and structure (x-ray scattering, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy); and thermo-mechanical properties (calorimetry, thermogravimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, rheometry, tensile testing). Contextual application of these characterization techniques to modern research problems will be introduced. Through this course, students will develop foundational experimental skills necessary for addressing research challenges in modern polymer and soft materials science and engineering.