ABOUT THE COURSE:Polymers play a transformative role in modern healthcare, driving innovations in drug delivery, regenerative medicine, diagnostics and medical implants. Despite their remarkable diversity and versatility, the use of polymers across most applications is guided by a common structure-property-function framework. This course offers a conceptual understanding of this framework by connecting fundamental concepts in polymer science with real-world biomedical and clinical applications. Through numerous examples of biomedical polymers, scaffolds, implants and hydrogels, we will explore two key aspects of biomaterial design, namely hierarchical organization and multi-scale functionality. Building upon this foundation, we will learn specific engineering principles that guide the processing, design and use of polymers in components such as resorbable sutures, hip implants, dental resin composites, vascular access grafts, drug release systems, degradable scaffolds, stimuli-responsive hydrogels and hemostatic dressings. Throughout this journey, we will draw inspiration from the extraordinary lives and exciting contributions of scientists whose stories will bring the science alive!INTENDED AUDIENCE:Undergraduate, masters and doctoral students interested in the topic or conducting research in the area; Researchers & industry practitioners working in chemical, biomaterial, pharma, biomedical & healthcare sectorsPREREQUISITES:College-level first-year courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics.INDUSTRY SUPPORT:Pharmaceutical industries, Industries producing/processing polymers for healthcare, Implant manufacturers, (Bio)medical device manufacturers, Biotechnology firms/start-ups, FMCG companies with healthcare verticals

Syllabus

Week 1: Introductory ConceptsHistorical perspectives; Biocompatibility; Bioactivity; Biodegradation; Biomimicry; Biomaterial classes; Protheses; Implants; Medical devices; Design-application paradigm; Clinical case studies
Week 2: Structure-Property Relationships-mer/Monomer/Oligomer/Polymer; Molecular structure: Backbone, End-group, Side-group, Co-polymer; Configuration: Stereoisomers, Tacticity; Molar mass; Degree of polymerization; Polydispersity
Week 3: Structure-Property RelationshipsChain conformation; Size: End-to-end distance, Persistence length, Rg, Rh; Architecture: Linear, Branched, Cross-linked, Brush, Dendrimer; Thermoplastic; Thermoset; Elastomer; Polymer synthesis
Week 4: Temperature and Solvent EffectsCrystalline and Amorphous states; Hierarchy; Folded chain model; Phase transitions; Crystallization kinetics; Melting; Glass transition temperature; Flory-Fox & Fox equations; Microstructure & modulus
Week 5: Temperature and Solvent EffectsDissolution; Solubility parameter; Solvent quality; Excluded volume; Entanglement; Viscosity; Mark-Houwink equation; Solution thermodynamics; Ideal solutions; Lattice model; Flory-Huggins theory
Week 6: Biomedical PolymersSynthetic polymers; Design of Sutures, Hip prosthesis, Soft contact lenses, Dental resins, Vascular grafts, Bone cement; Structure-property-function-application: Polyurethanes, Silicones, (e)PTFE, PMMA, PEG, Polyanhydrides & Polyesters (PLA, PGA, PLGA, PCL); Drug release case study
Week 7: Biomedical PolymersNatural polymers; Proteins; Polysaccharides; Structure-property-function-application: Collagen, Silk fibroin, Elastin, Cellulose, HPMC, Chitosan, Alginate, Aggrecan, Heparin & Hyaluronic acid; Hydrogels: Types, Swelling, Crosslink density, Mesh size, Flory-Rehner theory, Merrill-Peppas equation
Week 8: Bulk Behavior and ResponsesTensile testing: Temperature, Solvent, Strain rate & microstructural effects; Stress-strain curves; Brittle-ductile transition; Elastomers; Tensile Properties; Ageing; Other testing modes; Failure mechanisms
Week 9: Bulk Behavior and ResponsesViscoelasticity; Hooke’s & Newton’s laws; Creep; Stress Relaxation; Deborah number; Hysteresis; Viscoelasticity in Collagen, Elastin, Ligaments & Tendons; Tendon testing; Linear viscoelastic models
Week 10: Biomaterial ProcessingScaffold preparation techniques; Polymer electrospinning: Physical insights, Nanofiber preparation & demonstration, Controlled release; Additive manufacturing and 3D printing: Methods & applications
Week 11: Surfaces and InteractionsBiomaterial surface properties & modification; Protein adsorption: Thermodynamic, Kinetic and Steric effects; Monolayer theory; Competitive adsorption; Vroman effect; Blood-polymer interactions
Week 12: Biomaterial PerformanceBiomaterial implantation; Foreign body response; Inflammation; Immune response; Biomedical devices; Translation & regulatory aspects