Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers01:00

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers

Polymers that are made up of identical monomer units are called homopolymers. Only one repeating unit is involved in the construction of the homopolymer structure. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, polypropylene is a homopolymer constituted of propylene monomers. Here, the only repeating unit in the polymer chain is propylene.
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers01:24

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Degradable Vinyl-Based Polymers by Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization: A User Guide.

ACS polymers Au·2026
Same author

3D-Printable Nanoporous Thermosets via Disulfide-Based Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026
Same author

Light-Programmable Morphology in Photothermal Polyurethanes Based on Stenhouse Salt as Photothermal Agent.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

Prediction of cationic surfactant phase diagrams via molecularly informed field theory.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2026
Same author

Elaboration of antibacterial polyurethanes for medical devices by a scalable process.

Journal of materials chemistry. B·2026
Same author

Correction to "Critical Micelle Concentration of Multiblock Copolymers in Immiscible Homopolymer Blends".

ACS macro letters·2026
Same journal

Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Local signals, systemic decline.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

The mechanics of liver regeneration.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Computing in a memory with physics.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Retraction.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Making time.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
11:42

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Published on: June 20, 2019

Multiblock polymers: panacea or Pandora's box?

Frank S Bates1, Marc A Hillmyer, Timothy P Lodge

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. bates001@umn.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synthetic polymer chemistry enables complex block polymers with tailored properties. Advances in molecular design and simulation are key to creating advanced materials with precise nanoscale control.

More Related Videos

Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
09:02

Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization

Published on: July 9, 2015

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
10:53

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
11:42

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Published on: June 20, 2019

Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
09:02

Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization

Published on: July 9, 2015

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
10:53

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Synthetic polymer chemistry offers advanced strategies for creating block polymers.
  • Increasing complexity in block polymer sequences (k,n) expands molecular architectures beyond traditional triblock copolymers.
  • This offers opportunities for materials with controlled nanoscale-domain geometry, packing symmetry, and chemical composition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent developments in the field of block polymers.
  • To highlight the role of molecular design, predictive theory, and computer simulation in realizing tailored block polymer structures.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent advancements in synthetic polymer chemistry.
  • Analysis of molecular design principles for complex block polymers.
  • Discussion of theoretical and computational approaches.

Main Results:

  • Unlimited strategies exist for producing block polymers with arbitrary sequences.
  • Increasing sequence complexity (k,n) geometrically expands possible molecular architectures.
  • Tailored materials with precise nanoscale control are achievable.

Conclusions:

  • Advances in block polymer chemistry provide unprecedented control over material properties.
  • Imaginative molecular designs guided by theory and simulation are crucial for targeted applications.
  • The field is poised for the development of exquisitely tailored materials.