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

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight01:01

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

3.0K
Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight. So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
3.0K
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

4.0K
For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
4.0K
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

2.1K
Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
2.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

pyhgf: A neural network library for predictive coding.

PLoS computational biology·2026
Same author

It Is What It Isn't: Introducing a Constraint-Based Approach to Structure Learning.

Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Uncovering the embodied dimension of the wandering mind.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Label-free technique for universal and sequence independent detection of oligonucleotides and nuclease activity.

Nucleic acids research·2025
Same author

Early insulin fibril detection: Insulin fibril research and TR structural transition detection with FRET-Probe.

Analytica chimica acta·2025
Same author

Label-free electronic detection of peptide post-translational modification with functional enzyme-driven assay at the physical limit.

Cell reports. Physical science·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues
09:22

Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues

Published on: March 9, 2021

6.7K

Simple nanoparticle-based luminometric method for molecular weight determination of polymeric compounds.

Sari Pihlasalo1, Maria Virtamo, Nicolas Legrand

  • 1Laboratory of Biophysics and Medicity Research Laboratory, University of Turku , Tykistökatu 6A, 20520 Turku, Finland.

Analytical Chemistry
|December 17, 2013
PubMed
Summary

A new nanoparticle method determines molecular weight using time-resolved luminescence resonance energy transfer (TR-LRET). This technique quantifies polymers from micrograms per liter, aiding biochemical and industrial applications.

More Related Videos

Measurement of Particle Size Distribution in Turbid Solutions by Dynamic Light Scattering Microscopy
09:16

Measurement of Particle Size Distribution in Turbid Solutions by Dynamic Light Scattering Microscopy

Published on: January 9, 2017

16.6K
Evaluation of Polymeric Gene Delivery Nanoparticles by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and High-throughput Flow Cytometry
08:51

Evaluation of Polymeric Gene Delivery Nanoparticles by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and High-throughput Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 1, 2013

15.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues
09:22

Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues

Published on: March 9, 2021

6.7K
Measurement of Particle Size Distribution in Turbid Solutions by Dynamic Light Scattering Microscopy
09:16

Measurement of Particle Size Distribution in Turbid Solutions by Dynamic Light Scattering Microscopy

Published on: January 9, 2017

16.6K
Evaluation of Polymeric Gene Delivery Nanoparticles by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and High-throughput Flow Cytometry
08:51

Evaluation of Polymeric Gene Delivery Nanoparticles by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and High-throughput Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 1, 2013

15.6K

Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Accurate molecular weight determination is crucial for polymer characterization.
  • Existing methods can be complex or require large sample volumes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a simple, cost-effective nanoparticle-based assay for molecular weight determination.
  • To utilize time-resolved luminescence resonance energy transfer (TR-LRET) for this purpose.

Main Methods:

  • A mix-and-measure nanoparticle assay using donor Eu(III) nanoparticles.
  • Competitive adsorption between analyte and acceptor-labeled protein.
  • Size-dependent adsorption for molecular weight analysis.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated molecular weight determination for polyamino acids (1–10 kDa) and polyethylene imines (0.3–70 kDa).
  • Achieved detection down to micrograms per liter concentration levels.
  • Validated the method in a microtiter plate assay format.

Conclusions:

  • The developed TR-LRET nanoparticle method offers a simple and cost-effective approach for molecular weight determination.
  • It shows significant potential for detecting molecular weight changes and quantifying polymers in biochemical and industrial settings.