PART I. INTRODUCTION Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 Milestones in the development of polymer science 1.2 Basic terms and definitions in polymer science 1.3 Bonding opportunities in chemistry. PART II. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS Chapter 2. Flexibility of polymer chains and its origin 2.1. Conformational stereoisomerism of macromolecules2.2. Conformational statistics of chain models 2.3. Types of flexibility and its quantitative treatment Chapter 3. Amorphous state of polymers 3.1. Characterization of state of matter 3.2. State of matter and phase transitions of condensed substances. Glass transition 3.3. Deformation of polymers. Three deformational (relaxational) states of polymers 3.4. Relaxation phenomena 3.5. Glassy state of polymers 3.6. High elastic state of polymers 3.7. Viscous-liquid state of polymers 3.8. Mechanical models of linear polymers 3.9. Structure and morphology of amorphous polymers, polymer melts and solutions 3.10. Liquid-crystalline polymers Chapter 4. Crystalline polymers 4.1. Peculiarities of crystalline polymers. Degree of crystallinity 4.2. Prerequisites for polymer crystallization 4.3. Kinetic and mechanisms of crystallization 4.4. Growth of nuclei (crystals) 4.5. Total crystallization rate 4.6. Melting and recrystallization 4.7. Morphology and molecular structure of crystalline polymers Chapter 5. Mechanics of polymers 5.1. Basic terms and definitions 5.2. Nature of neck formation 5.3. Strength of polymers and long-term strength 5.4. Polymer failure ? mechanism and theories Chapter 6. Polymer solutions 6.1. Development of ideas regarding the nature of polymer solutions 6.2. Thermodynamics of polymer solutions 6.3. Flory ? Huggins theory 6.4. Concentrated polymer solutions. Plasticizing Chapter 7. Polymer molecular weights 7.1. Types of molecular weights 7.2. Polydispersity and molecular weight distribution 7.3. Methods for determination of weight and sizes of macromolecules Chapter 8. Methods for characterization and investigation of polymers 8.1. Diffraction methods 8.2. Microscopic methods. 8.3. Thermal methods 8.4. Spectroscopic techniques for investigation of polymer structure and conformational studies of macromolecules 8. 5. Static and dynamic mechanical techniques PART III. SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS Chapter 9. Polycondensation (condensation polymerization) 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Equilibrium polycondensation 9.3. Non-equilibrium polycondensation 9.4. Polycondensation in three dimensions Chapter 10. Chain polymerization 10.1. Introduction 10.2. Radical polymerization 10.3Radical copolymerization 10.4 Ionic polymerization Chapter 11. Synthesis of polymers with special molecular arrangements 11.1 Block and graft copolymers 11.2Graft copolymers 11.3. Stereoregular polymers Chapter 12. Chemical reactions with macromolecules. New non-traditional methods for polymer synthesis 12.1. Introduction 12.2. Polymer-analogous reactions 12.3. Polymer destruction 12.4. New non-traditional methods for polymer synthesis PART IV. POLYMER MATERIALS AND THEIR PROCESSING Chapter 13. Polymer materials and their processing 13.1. Introduction 13.2. Fibers 13.3. Elastomers 13.4. Polymer blends 13.5. Films and sheets 13.6. Polymer composites 13.7. Nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites 13.8. Basic problems in polymer science and technology: environmental impact, interfacial adhesion quality, aspect ratio 13.9. Polymer?polymer and single polymer composites: definitions, nomenclature, advantages and disadvantages 13.10. Processing of fiber-reinforced composites 13.11. Fabrication of shaped objects from polymers Chapter 14. Polymers for special applications 14.1. Electrically conductive polymers 14.2. High-performance thermoplastics 14.3. Polymers for Hydrogen storage 14.4. Smart materials 14.5. Uses for polymers in biomedicine 14.6. Tissue engineering 14.7. Controlled release of drugs