This is an introductory course text for Masters or PhD students who are studying polymer physics for the first time, and for whom a knowledge of polymers is not the main focus of their research. It is aimed at students from a variety of research backgrounds, including physics, chemistry, materials, chemical engineering, bioengineering and biophysics.
The book is based on a course given by the authors at Monash University. It covers the main classes of polymers (statics, dynamics at and close to equilibrium, and dynamics far from equilibrium) and the necessary background on mathematics, phase transitions, hydrodynamics, and shear and free flows. It is based around problems to aid learning.
Topics are covered in a systematic and pedagogical way, moving from basic concepts to advanced nonlinear behaviours in a step-by-step manner with increasing difficulty level.
Existing books on this topic are long and aimed at those going on to be polymer scientists, whereas this text provides a concise introduction to polymer theory for non-specialists, covering the essentials that students need.
Key Features
- Provides a concise introduction to polymer theory for postgraduate students who are studying polymer physics for the first time
- Covers the main classes of polymers: statics, dynamics at and close to equilibrium, and dynamics far from equilibrium
- Provides the necessary background on mathematics, phase transitions, hydrodynamics, and shear and free flows
- Based around problems to aid learning
- Covers topics in a systematic and pedagogical way, moving from basic concepts to advanced nonlinear behaviours in a step-by-step manner
