Specialty synthesis-ring opening polymerization, metathesis polymerization, ATRP, RAFT; heteroatomic polymers; electrically active polymers-conducting polymers, piezoelectric, pyrroelectric and ferroelectric polymers, polymers for FET, electrical and electronic applications; photoactive polymers- photoresists, light emitting polymers, non-linear optical properties; ionic polymers- ionomers, polyelectrolytes; magnetically active polymers; Shape memory polymers; high performance polymers-polymer concrete, high modulus fibers, polymer explosives.

Fundamentals of chemistry of soft materials; Basic concepts of soft materials, Various interactions, Photoresponsive molecules and self-assembly, Micelles, Vesicles, Toroids, Colloids, Rods, Examples of molecules forming soft materials, Instrumental techniques for morphology studies of soft materials, Liquid crystals, Different class of gels- low molecular weight organo gels, hydrogels, basics, classifications, behaviour of soft materials under zero gravity.

Detailed version

Basic concepts, General mechanisms of polymerization reactions- synthesis, kinetics, techniques, Structure- property relationships of polymers.Copolymerization-mechanism-kinetics.Thermodynamics of polymer solutions, Crystal morphologies-Thermal transitions in polymers--Characterization and Testing-Molecular weight determination- Spectroscopy techniques, Thermal properties. Polymer degradation. Production, properties and applications of industrial polymers and general purpose rubbers.  Applications of polymers in materials processing(ceramic, semiconductors and metals).

phase II of Experimental work, Data analysis and Dissertation, Viva-voce

Literature Survey, Presentations, Phase 1 of experimental work