【正文】 rbonate. A number of scientists have been named Nobel Laureates for their pioneering work in the field of polymers or macromolecules. They include: Hermann Staudinger for his many discoveries in the field of macromolecular chemistry. (1953) Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta for their discoveries related to polymer chemistry and new polymerization technologies. (1963) Paul J. Flory for fundamental achievements, both theoretical and experimental, in the physical chemistry of macromolecules. (1974) . de Gennes for creating the reptation model of polymer dynamics used to predict polymer properties and viscosity. (1991) Alan J. Heeger, Alan G. MacDiarmid and H. Shirakawa for the discovery and development of inherently conductive polymers. (20xx) The Nobel Prize The Plastics Engineering Program at UMass Lowell (then known as Lowell Technological Institute) was founded by the late Russell W. Ehlers in 1954. High Density Polyethylene The thermoplastic known as ―high density polyethylene‖ (HDPE) was first produced mercially by Phillips Petroleum in 1955. It was given the tradename Marlex 174。 is most widely known for its widespread use in nonstick cookware and as cable insulation but it is used in a wide variety of other unique applications. Teflon174。, is also widely used. However, the single largest use for PET is ―stretch blow molded‖ beverage bottles. PET bottles are transparent, lightweight, have good barrier properties, and shatter resistant. Like most thermoplastics, PET is recyclable. In most cases, the recycled PET bottles are reprocessed to form PET textile fiber for clothing. A major contribution to the mold making and molding industries was made by . Quarnstrom, a toolmaker from Detroit, in 1943. He came up with the concept of producing ―standard mold bases‖ having interchangeable ponents. The standard mold base would greatly simplify the machining process for plastic molds and reduce the time required to build injection and pression molds. The standard mold bases were produced by the DME Corporation that is still the leading supplier of mold bases today. Dr. Roy Plunkett, a young scientist working at DuPont, accidentally discovers polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), an inherently slippery and remarkably chemically resistant plastic. It is said to be the most slippery substance on earth. The initial discovery occurred in 1938, but the mercial introduction of DuPont’s Teflon174。. PMMA is a very hard material and is actually more transparent than glass. This transparent thermoplastic was first used for applications that ranged from contact lenses to thermoformed aircraft canopies. It then became the material of choice for automotive tail light lenses due to its superior optical properties, where it is still used today. PMMA is also used in a wide variety of other applications including acrylic fibers, paints and coatings, and as a marble replacement for kitchen countertops. The process of Injection Molding involves injecting hot (melted) plastic into a closed mold cavity. Most early injection molding machines were imported from Europe. The IM machine shown below was one of the first US built machines and was manufactured by the HPM Corporation in Marion, OH. ( circa 1937) The . duPont de Nemours Company wanted to develop a synthetic fiber that could replace silk. Shortly thereafter, duPont scientists, led by Dr. Wallace H. Carothers, pulled the first long, strong, flexible strands of a synthetic polymer fiber out of a test tube. They realized immediately that this artificial fiber had properties similar and in many ways superior to natural fibers. The material, poly(hexamethylene adipamide), is more monly known as ―nylon 66‖. It was intoduced mercially in 1938. One of the earliest uses of nylon 66 fiber was for tooth brush bristles, previously made from animal (Chinese boar) bristles. During World War II, nylon was used for many applications including cargo parachutes, tire cord for bombers, glider tow ropes, flak jackets, mosquito ting, and jungle clothing. Dr. Wallace H. Carothers The first solution to molding ―larger‖ plastic parts was a molding machine with multiple injection units. This 1939 HPM injection molding machine had four injection units giving it a total shot capacity of 32 ounces. It was used to mold the ―very large‖ (for that time) automobile dash board parts shown above. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is an extremely versatile thermoplastic made by the condensation reaction of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Discovered in 1941, PET was initially used for the production of synthetic textile fiber, know today as Dacron174。Department of Plastics Engineering The History of Plastics Plastics are said to be the most versatile materials on earth. Almost all of the products we use in our daily lives contain plastics. This display chronicles some of the key discoveries, inventions, and people that have helped make the plastics industry what it is today. You will notice that many important developments related to plastics and rubber happened right here in Massachusetts, beginning with Charles Goodyear’s 1839 discovery of the vulcanization process for natural rubber in nearby Woburn. Also note that UMass Lowell (formerly Lowell Technological Institute) was the very first university in the nation to offer a degree in Plastics Engineering. Take a few minutes and learn more about the ―History of Plastics‖. Charles Goodyear spent most of his adult life trying to improve the properties of natural rubber. Working in Woburn, MA in 1839, Goodyear discovers that adding sulfur to natural rubber greatly enhances its elasticity and toughness. His ―sulfurized‖ rubber, later known as ―vulcanized‖ rubber, is still widely used today.