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

Polymers02:34

Polymers

35.8K
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...
35.8K
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.4K
Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta...
3.4K
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.5K
Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
3.5K
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.3K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
2.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Development of Amorphous AlN Thin Films on ITO-Glass and ITO-PET at Low Temperatures by RF Sputtering.

Micromachines·2025
Same author

Combining method validation data with additional information for measurement uncertainty evaluation - determination of melatonin content in tea.

Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications·2024
Same author

Nanovaccines: Immunogenic tumor antigens, targeted delivery, and combination therapy to enhance cancer immunotherapy.

Drug development research·2024
Same author

Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction of Melatonin with Graphene/Clay Mixtures and Fluorescence Analysis in Surfactant Aqueous Solutions.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·2024
Same author

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials 4.0.

International journal of molecular sciences·2024
Same author

QbD-Based Fabrication of Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite Embedded Gelatin Nanoparticles for Localized Drug Delivery against Deteriorated Arthritic Joint Architecture.

Macromolecular bioscience·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging
07:41

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: July 19, 2016

7.8K

Polymers and Nanotechnology for Industry 4.0.

Ana M Díez-Pascual1

  • 1Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra, Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33.6, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain.

Polymers
|September 9, 2023
PubMed
Summary

The term polymer, meaning "many parts," was coined in 1833 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius. His initial definition differed from today's standard polymer definition.

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • The etymology of the term "polymer" traces back to Greek roots, signifying "many parts."
  • Jöns Jacob Berzelius first proposed the term in 1833, laying groundwork for polymer science.
  • Berzelius's original definition of polymers differed from the contemporary IUPAC definition.

Discussion:

  • Historical context of polymer terminology.
  • Evolution of scientific definitions in chemistry.
  • The impact of etymology on scientific understanding.

Key Insights:

  • The term "polymer" originates from Greek words for "many" and "part."
  • Jöns Jacob Berzelius introduced the term in 1833.
  • The definition of polymers has evolved since Berzelius's initial proposal.

More Related Videos

Manufacturing of Three-dimensionally Microstructured Nanocomposites through Microfluidic Infiltration
14:24

Manufacturing of Three-dimensionally Microstructured Nanocomposites through Microfluidic Infiltration

Published on: March 12, 2014

12.4K
Formulation of Diblock Polymeric Nanoparticles through Nanoprecipitation Technique
06:47

Formulation of Diblock Polymeric Nanoparticles through Nanoprecipitation Technique

Published on: September 20, 2011

37.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging
07:41

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: July 19, 2016

7.8K
Manufacturing of Three-dimensionally Microstructured Nanocomposites through Microfluidic Infiltration
14:24

Manufacturing of Three-dimensionally Microstructured Nanocomposites through Microfluidic Infiltration

Published on: March 12, 2014

12.4K
Formulation of Diblock Polymeric Nanoparticles through Nanoprecipitation Technique
06:47

Formulation of Diblock Polymeric Nanoparticles through Nanoprecipitation Technique

Published on: September 20, 2011

37.4K

Outlook:

  • Further research into the historical development of scientific terms.
  • Comparative analysis of historical versus modern scientific definitions.
  • Understanding the linguistic roots of scientific disciplines.