MEEN40110 Advanced Polymer Engineering

Academic Year 2023/2024

This elective module will involve a series of lectures on the chemistry, physics, mechanics and rheology of polymers, all of which will serve to ensure students know about the viscoelastic nature of polymers, alternative ways in which polymers are processed and recycled, and how polymeric products are designed and manufactured. Given the importance of polymers to the medical devices industry, this module will give particular focus to relevant products and processes, both existing and emergent, including new micro/nano manufacturing processes and polymer based microfluidic diagnostic devices.

SYLLABUS:
Structure of polymer molecules and industrial synthesis; Microstructure and solid-state properties; Elasticity and viscoelasticity of polymers; Melt flow, rheology and processing of polymers; Additives, blends and composites; Moulding, forming and extrusion of polymers; Advanced polymers for medical, electronic and other industrial applications; Polymer micro and nano manufacturing technologies.

One lab of polymer micro injection moulding will be carried out. The labs will be carried out with reference to current School Health and Safety protocols. Students should follow these during all laboratory activities. Further information is available at https://intranet.ucd.ie/smme/index.html and within the Brightspace resources for this module.

The EDI principle will be applied in teaching & learning for a variety of activities including data sharing, lecture slides preparation, teamwork and assessment. The group assignment will be made available to teams with options of self-enrolment and automatic allocation. Groups are free to choose their assignment topic under defined guidelines. Team communication will be guided via Brightspace and in-person discussion.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:
(i) illustrate and quantify the difference between elastic and viscoelastic
behaviour of engineering materials
(ii) illustrate and quantify the flow characteristics of molten polymers
during common manufacturing processes
(iii) design and manufacture some key components that are associated with
polymer medical devices

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Laboratories

36

Autonomous Student Learning

48

Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Classroom-based teaching, Labs, project-based teaching. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of semester exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded Yes

60

Lab Report: Labwork Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

10

Assignment: Report Week 12 n/a Graded Yes

30


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mhlengi Khaya Luke Masango Tutor
Dr Yuyang Zhou Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 29 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 30 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 23, 26 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 24, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 25, 31 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
Laboratory Offering 6 Week(s) - 23, 26 Fri 10:00 - 11:50
Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 24, 32 Fri 10:00 - 11:50
Spring