[b] [i] This is my Chemistry Assignment, we are to create a Magazine Article for a leading Australian Science Magazine (doesn't matter if its real or not) and discuss which Polymer is the most useful of the 21st Century. I chose Polycarbonate as my most useful polymer and hope that I can get some good feedback from others, I will update it as I go ^-^ [/i] [/b] (I know this isn't really related to the Gallery, but this is also a place for me to store my things so that people can see them even if they aren't fully related. I hope this is okay with you all)

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[u] [b] 21st Century Chemistry [/b] [/u]

[indent] [i] Cassandra Rose 
Polymer Researcher and Developer [/i] [/indent]

[center] [b] Polycarbonate Today [/b] [/center]
[center] Polycarbonate is used throughout daily life, no one may notice, but take a closer look and you'll find it somewhere or even everywhere. This polymer has a use in nearly every home, company, building and vehicle. [/center]

[center] [b] History [/b] [/center]
Polycarbonate, first discovered in 1898 by German scientist, Alfred Einhorn, who worked for the University of Munich, though, after 30 years research, this class of materials were abandoned without any commercialisation. In 1953 however, Hermann Schnell of Bayer in Uerdinen, Germany, began researching this once more and patented the first linear polycarbonate. One week after this innovation, Daniel Fox at GE in Schenectady, New York, independently compounded a branched polycarbonate. Both organisations filed for U.S. patents in 1995, and once resolved, in Bayer's favour they began commercial manufacturing in 1958 as 'Makrolon' and GE began production in 1960 under 'Lexan'. 
[center] [b] Uses [/b] [/center]
Traits of this polymer are that it is used for a wide variety of applications, it can be injection moulded, blow moulded and extruded. Ranging from the engineering industry through to the optical industry along with electronic equipment business for daily uses. The list of products created with this polymer goes on and consists of the following: 

[list] 
Equipment Housing
Medical Supply Components
Electronic Covers 
(Phones, Laptops, etc.)
Bulletproof Windows
Brackets and Structural Parts
Plastic Lenses for Glasses
CDs and DVDs
Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
Exterior Automotive Components
Nameplates and Bezels 
[/list]

The explanation for why polycarbonate is used widely in the engineering industry is the fact it is a plastic with great electric insulation properties, this means that the uses are vast and are even utilised for vandal-proof windows alongside safety helmets. 

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