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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