97228 - Era of Plastic

Learning outcomes

The course aims to illustrate the history and development of polymeric materials widely used in everyday life and to present future prospects, critical issues and ways of communicating them. At the end of the course, the student acquires the necessary skills to communicate: 1) the discovery and evolution of polymeric materials; 2) the type and use of the main plastic materials in the various application fields; 3) current recycling methods and processes; 4) reference legislation; 5) possible future prospects. Furthermore, particular emphasis will be given to: 1) evolution of the market and technologies; 2) design for recycling; 3) design for sustainability; 4) innovative materials; 5) current and future use of recycled materials.

Course contents

The course aims to illustrate the history and development of polymeric materials widely used in everyday life and to present future prospects, critical issues and ways of communicating them.

1) Introduction, purpose of the course and polymer market;

2) the discovery and evolution of polymeric materials;

3) the type and use of the main plastic materials in the various application fields;

4) evolution of the market and technologies;

5) innovative materials;

6) current recycling methods and processes;

7) current and future use of recycled materials;

8) design for sustainability;

9) Biopolymers and perspectives;

10) possible future prospects;

Case studies and group work on dissemination (in match race)

Insights: speeches by industry experts

Readings/Bibliography

H. Ulrich - Introduction to Industrial Polymers, Hanser Publ., 1993, Munich

The Chemical Industry, A. Heaton editor, Blackie Acad., London

Handbook of plastics Recycling, Ed. F. La Mantia, Rapra Technology Publisher, Shawbury, 2002

newspapers and dissemination articles

Teaching methods

The teaching activities are performed through lessons, training by written questions, visits to research and industrial laboratories.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment is performed through a final oral examination by which the achievement of a sufficient threshold of knowledges and abilities by the candidate is ascertained and evaluated.

Teaching tools

The contents of the course are presented by pc videoprojections. Printed copies of the presented topics are made available to the students.

Office hours

See the website of Loris Giorgini