Shape Persistence of Synthetic Polymers

摘要

Biological macromolecules have marvelously complex structures, made possible by precise molecular shapes and sizes whose three-dimensional arrangement is formed by many weak bonding sites. It is this control over all aspects of macromolecular architecture that enables many life processes. The world of the man-made macromolecule is quite different. Synthetic polymers tend to have variable molecular sizes and typically lack a well-defined molecular architecture. Fortunately, in many applications, physical strength is more important than molecular precision, and despite the lack of control over chain conformation and function, synthetic polymers are extremely useful, forming the basis of a multibillion dollar industry.