Dec 07, 2002 08:58 PM
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(Updated Dec 07, 2002 09:23 PM)
A polymer is a chain of small molecules joined together in a repeating fashion to form a single layer molecule. Chemists develop polymers so they can be used to make ingredients for products with unique physical and chemical properties. They manipulate large, complex molecules and capitalize on the connections between their molecular structure and the properties that make them useful. Polymer products can be lightweight, hard, strong, and flexible and have special thermal, electrical, and optical characteristics; they include products from the fiber, communication, packaging, and transportation industries.
The big boom in polymer chemistry occurred largely in the first part of the twentieth century with the advent of polymer materials such as nylon and Kevlar. Today, most work with polymers focuses on improving and fine-tuning existing technologies. Still, there are opportunities ahead for polymer chemists. They work in many industries, creating a variety of synthetic polymers such as Teflon and special application plastics and developing new polymers that are less expensive or that outperform traditional materials and replace those that are scarce.
''The world is changing,'' says James Shepherd, a research associate in polymer chemistry at Hoechst Celanese. ''New demands for polymer materials will be coming down the line. What we have learned over the past ten years will enable us to fulfill new needs. We may not discover a new polyethylene,'' he says, ''but we may find smaller-volume and potentially more cost-effective materials.''
. . . Is about research and business
There has been a shift in the economic emphasis and focus of polymer chemistry. Shepherd says when he began working in the field, many projects were purely exploratory. ''Only later would we worry about the product.'' Now, projects are evaluated at the outset on the basis of what they will do for the company and what end-use improvements they will deliver. Therefore, industrial polymer chemists are increasingly in contact with the sales and marketing divisions of their companies and its customers.
This shift has placed a premium on good communication and interpersonal skills. It means chemists must adopt a business outlook in their work. Other skills and disciplines also come into play. ''It helps if you are engineering-minded,'' says Kate Faron, a senior research chemist at DuPont. John Droske, professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, agrees. ''This is a field for people who are comfortable looking at the end use as well as the preparation.''
Polymer chemistry is product-oriented. However, this does not eliminate the availability of positions outside of industry. Some polymer chemists pursue their research interests in addition to their teaching and administrative responsibilities through employment at colleges and universities.
. . . Touches many scientific disciplines
Polymer chemistry touches many scientific disciplines and is vital in fields that develop products such as plastics and synthetic fibers; agricultural chemicals; paints and adhesives; and biomedical applications such as artificial skin, prosthetics, and the nicotine patch that helps smokers overcome their smoking habit. It is estimated that as many as 50% of all chemists will work in polymer science in some capacity during their careers. Because they work in a field that is so broad, polymer chemists must be flexible
and be able to interact and communicate with others in a variety of disciplines.
Because polymer chemistry today is product oriented, it has some overlap with materials science. However, polymer chemists emphasize that the most important aspect of their work is in the organic synthesis of materials. Most Ph.D. chemists now in the field were trained in organic chemistry. They acknowledge the strengths of degree programs in polymer science, but many say they would still choose to obtain a solid background in organic chemistry before entering the polymer science area. ''You should take polymer classes, but not without a strong foundation in organic chemistry,'' says Jim Mason, senior chemist in the polymers division at the Bayer Corporation. ''You learn a lot on the job,'' he adds. He says that an employer can teach you about polymers, but the fundamentals should be learned while in school. Mason adds, ''Traditional training may also provide you with more long-term job security.'' Faron says, ''It helps to be a generalist. If you go into certain polymer programs, you could be specializing too soon.''
JOB OUTLOOK
Because polymer science is product-oriented, hiring can be expected to follow the economy. Polymer chemists stress the need to remain as broad-based and as flexible as possible for long-term employment security, but creative and well-trained individuals should be able to find positions in this field. Most major chemical companies have made deep cuts in their central research divisions, and industry is still in a downsizing mode. The field remains highly competitive, but some say they think these dynamics are cyclical and that the job market will improve.
