Shape-dependent degradability of polymers
Many plastics are used by humans for only a few minutes before being discarded to sit in a landfill for generations. New strategies to degrade plastics are urgently needed, and fundamental stereochemistry may provide a solution. Recent reports have shown synthetic polymers that adopt elongated linear conformations, rather than globular spherical ones, are more rapidly degraded by shearing forces into their constituent monomers. Typically, modifying this morphology requires changing the monomer identity and manipulating either sterics or charge. Instead, we will leverage stereochemical control of polymer backbones to dictate the overall chain conformation. This project will therefore involve both synthesizing polymers with variable backbone stereochemistry, and investigating their morphology and degradation profiles.
Essay prompt: In 1-2 paragraphs, please describe what motivates you to pursue this research opportunity, and work with this research team. Please also comment on why you are interested in performing research full-time over the summer at Mudd.
The Brucks research group is a new team at Harvey Mudd, and we are hoping to start wrapping up our first projects. You will have the opportunity to help finish this project and chart the next directions of our studies into controlling polymer shape and how this influences polymer degradation. This specific project will afford training in techniques from both organic chemistry and polymer science, including characterization with NMR, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and ultrasonication. In addition to lab techniques, supportive collaboration, good record keeping and data analysis, and effective communication of results will be strongly emphasized. Our team always centers respect and inclusivity to foster an environment where everyone can succeed.