Plastics and polymers have broad range of applications across several industries, from the automotive, electronics, dentistry, sports, fashion, biomedical, building, energy industry and much more. So whether you are starting a plastics processing business, a student seeking additional learning aid, you work within the polymer industry or make use of polymers and seek to sharpen your knowledge of polymers or perhaps an individual wanting to know more about the plastics and other polymers; how they are made and how they are used in various products. This course serves as your ideal entry point into the plastics and polymer industry. Learn how polymers are converted to finished products such as pipes, water bottles, shopping bags, kayaks, phone screen protectors etc. In this course you will learn about processes such as blow molding, injection molding, 3D printing and many others. You will also learn the tests carried out on polymers to determine their quality. The course starts off with some fundamental polymer chemistry which helps you know your polyethylenetherephthalate from your polymethylmethacrylate. There are over 2.5 Hours of video lectures with lots of graphics to make the learning process easy and enjoyable. The course also includes some exercises to test your progress. If you have further questions at any point during or after the course feel free to send a message to the instructor.

Please note: The capstone project is only accessible for ID-verified MicroMasters learners who successfully obtained verified certificate in all MicroMasters programme courses In this capstone project, you will focus on designing a sustainable biobased process. The emphasis of the project is on conversion. You will design a process from biomass to a finished product and discuss your choices for a catalyst, reactor type, organism and feedstock. You should be able to discuss your choices in the broad picture of sustainability while emphasising the conversion aspects of the process. The final product in this capstone project is a written report. Complete your MicroMasters credential by signing up for a virtually-proctored exam. This 2hour, multiple choice exam will test your knowledge on all topics discussed in the 3 MicroMasters programme courses. You can only start the capstone project after completingall other courses in the MicroMasters programme in Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability with a verified certificate for every course. Biorefinery: From Biomass to Building Blocks of Biobased Products ; Design an effective biorefinery to obtain valuable components from various biobased feedstocks Catalytic Conversions for Biobased Chemicals and Products ; Design new (bio)catalytic conversion routes to use biobased feedstocks to their highest potential C From Fossil Resources to Biomass: A Business and Economics Perspective ; ****Learn how to market and sell biobased products within a profitable business model

Chemistry, often referred to as the central science, concerns matter and the transformations it can undergo. While many aspects of chemistry can be applied to solving various problems relevant to our society, chemistry also offers a convenient framework to understand the complexity of the natural world surrounding us. The goal of this course is to apply chemical principles to understand the natural (non-living) world around us and appreciate its complexity. The chemical principles usually covered in general chemistry, undergraduate inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry enable us to examine many aspects of the Earth. We will look at the formation of the elements, and describe the reason for the different abundances, and what this means for the Earth’s composition. We will also look at how isotopes can be used as chemical tracers and “clocks”, leading us to insight on the various processes of the Earth, and even our own bodies. Finally, we will see how geochemistry can help us understand, or even combat the many environmental and technological problems that we face.

This is an introductory course for students with limited background in chemistry; basic concepts involved in chemical reactions, stoichiometry, the periodic table, periodic trends, nomenclature, and chemical problem solving will be emphasized with the goal of preparing students for further study in chemistry as needed for many science, health, and policy professions.

What technical forces are shaping the modern world? Revolutionary developments in the union of chemistry and physics hold the key to solving unprecedented global problems; however, understanding the central role that chemistry and technical forces play in addressing these problems and shaping our modern world requires a grasp of fundamental concepts of energy and energy transformations. Physical sciences are fundamental to an understanding of worldwide energy sources and constraints, energy forecasts, the technology connecting energy and climate, and the role of modern materials science. In this course, you will study industrial advances in solar cells, energy storage, and molecular imaging, and how international policies relate to these innovations. You’ll learn the role of energy in climate change and exactly how irreversible global climate change causes sea levels to rise, storms to become more powerful, and how large scale shifts in the climate structure trigger water and food shortages, as well as how technology advances to address these global issues. PS11.1x: University Chemistry: Molecular Foundations and Global Frontiers is Part 1 of what will be a two-part course. Part 1 of this course will teach you the foundational principles of chemistry and energy: thermodynamics, entropy, free energy, equilibria, acid-base reactions, and electrochemistry. Instead of learning about these concepts in the abstract, case studies will be used to develop quantitative reasoning and to directly link these principles to current global strategies. There is also an optional textbook available for purchase as a supplement to the course.

This first-year University chemistry course explores the basic principles of the chemical bond by studying the properties of solids. Properties such as stiffness, electrical conductivity, thermal expansion, strength, and optical properties are the vehicle by which you can learn a great deal of practical chemistry. AP Chemistry High School students and teachers are among the thousands of learners who have successfully taken the course and enjoyed it. You will see how experts use their knowledge of trends in the periodic table to predict the properties of materials. 3.091x is an engineering course so there is an emphasis on applications and how materials are used. The on-campus version of the course has been taught for over forty years and is one of the largest classes at MIT. This course will cover the relationship between electronic structure, chemical bonding, and atomic order, and characterization of atomic arrangements in crystalline and amorphous solids: metals, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers (including proteins). There will be topical coverage of organic chemistry, solution chemistry, acid-base equilibria, electrochemistry, biochemistry, chemical kinetics, diffusion, and phase diagrams. Examples will be drawn from industrial practice (including the environmental impact of chemical processes), from energy generation and storage (e.g., batteries and fuel cells), and from emerging technologies (e.g., photonic and biomedical devices).

“Syntheses for Life” will start with the Bohr model of hydrogen atom and discuss chemical evolution, protein synthesis and structure, photosynthesis, and Haber’s synthesis of ammonia. The course provides an overview of remarkable scientific discoveries. First, In 1913 Bohr showed that the hydrogen line spectrum can be explained based on the nuclear model of the atom and quantum theory. Bohr model introduced the concept of energy levels for electrons in an atom and led to wave mechanics and a full understanding of chemical bonding. We will then discuss how amino acids could be produced from methane, ammonia, water and hydrogen using electric discharge as a source of energy. Chromatographic separation of simple compounds will be demonstrated. The 1953 paper in Science by Miller will be the primary source material. Third, The central dogma in protein synthesis will be briefly described. The determination of the primary structure of insulin will be discussed using Sanger’s 1958 Nobel Lecture. Experimental techniques such as electrophoresis and mass spectrometry as well as X-ray crystallography will be highlighted. We focus on the chemical principles of oxidation and reduction in photosynthesis. Calvin’s 1961 Nobel Lecture explains the role of enzymes involved in the dark reaction. How plant life and animal life are coupled by photosynthesis and respiration will be emphasized. Finally, Haber’s synthesis of ammonia is on top of the list among scientific discoveries that saved most lives. How Haber successfully selected the right process conditions and the catalyst will be described using his 1918 Nobel Lecture. Ertl’s discovery of the mechanism of the iron catalyst will also be discussed.

During each module of this course, chefs reveal the secrets behind some of their most famous culinary creations — often right in their own restaurants. Inspired by such cooking mastery, the Harvard team will then explain the science behind the recipe. Topics will include: How molecules influence flavor The role of heat in cooking Diffusion, revealed by the phenomenon of spherification, the culinary technique pioneered by Ferran Adrià. You will also have the opportunity to become an experimental scientist in your very own laboratory — your kitchen. By following along with the engaging recipe of the week, taking precise measurements, and making skillful observations, you will learn to think like both a cook and a scientist. The lab is certainly one of the most unique components of this course — after all, in what other science course can you eat your experiments?

The use of fossil resources is a controversial topic and there is much scientific research to argue against their use for energy, chemicals, and in the production of almost every product. Because of this, we're seeing a huge shift towards sustainable biobased and renewable resources and away from fossil-based ones. In this new world, it's critical to know how to efficiently and effectively obtain valuable elements from biomass. Jointhis course and gain the latest academic knowledge on biorefinery which can be applied to their ongoing studies or to advance their careers. Just as the petrochemical refinery is a crucial part of the fossil-based industry,so is the biorefinery for the biobased industry. In a biorefinery, a complex biobased feedstock is separated and processed in such a way to maximize sustainability and application opportunities. Upon completing this course, you will understand the tools and techniques needed to efficiently disentangle, separate and convert different biomass based feedstocks into simpler (functional) components. First, you'll learn about available techniques and processes for biomass activation, disentanglement and separation. Next, you'll explore how to design a biorefinery taking into account feedstock and sustainable energy use and dive into: Mass and energy balances Design of biorefinery process units to obtain multiple products from one type of biomass How to recover energy and resources in the biorefinery system Evaluation of the designed system with respect to sustainability and economic criteria Evaluation of criteria for successful implementation This course is part of the MicroMasters programme in Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability : a series of 3 courses and a final capstone project designed to help you develop the skills needed to seize opportunities and embrace the transition from a fossil-based economy to a biobased one.It'sespecially valuable to those who have (or ambition to have) a career in industries such as: (bio)chemical industry, agrifood water companies, energy producers, logistics, and related (non-)governmental organizations. Explore the other courses in the MicroMasters programme: Catalytic Conversions for Biobased Chemicals and Products From Fossil Resources to Biomass: A Business and Economics Perspective Capstone - Final project and exam (only available to learner who have obtained a verified certificate in all other courses of the MicroMasters programme).

For an entrepreneur thinking about one day starting a craft distillery, a thorough understanding of water and water chemistry is important. Water is a key raw ingredient in the craft distilling process. This course comprises 5 lectures and will help you gain a more thorough appreciation of water and its importance in craft distilling.