Through Microscopes and Large Machinery: How Studying Molecules Helped Develop Mass Production

The study of molecules have brought about different innovations in manufacturing, enabling scientists, cooks and even the regular Joe to enjoy different products like lab tools, non-stick cookware and plastic cups. Through the use of large mass production equipment, fabricating these items have been made easier. So, how does the study of molecules fit in this picture?

Mass produced items like bottles, credit cards and even clothes are made of different materials collectively known as polymers. Polymers are large molecules made from smaller units known as monomers. These monomers could act as single molecules, but when bonded together form one larger molecule through a process called polymerization.

There are different kinds of monomers like glucose, amino acids and isoprene. In organisms, these monomers could turn into polymers. Glucose, for example, when bonded with other monomers, could form cellular walls, and amino acids form proteins. Isoprene is found in rubber plants. When synthetically polymerized, monomers could form different kinds of polymers like plastics, nylon and Teflon®.


The arrangement of these monomers could also produce different results. Teflon® for example, is the patented name for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is actually an accidental result from working with the same monomers in perfluorethylene, which is usually used as coolants.

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