Alan J. Heeger

Polymer synthesis in the 1950s was dominated by Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, whose discoveries of polymerization catalysts were of great importance for the development of the modem 'plastics' industry.

American Physicist

Penn Jillette

My body really, really wanted to reproduce when I was 15. It took a lot of civilization, socialization, willpower and some emulsion polymerization technology for me not to reproduce at 15.

American Entertainer

Used mainly in scientific and industrial contexts related to chemistry.

Chemistry Specific

It's a technical term; use it when discussing topics like materials science or chemical engineering.

Technical Term

It indicates a process, not a single event, that turns small molecules into large chains.

Describes a Process

 by the Environmental Protection Agency. As Styrofoam products are being made, or as they slowly deteriorate in landfills or the ocean, they can release toxic styrene into the environment. In addition, plastics that are created by addition polymerization reactions, like Styrofoam,

From DNA to Silly Putty,...

 Next, a catalyst is mixed in which links the molecules together and forms polymers called resins. This structure allows plastics to be easily molded and shaped, especially, under heat and pressure. Polymerization converts ethylene