Opinion: Is the polymer industry still fit for heroes?

ERJ staff report (PR)

London - Stephanie Kwolek, who died last week at the age of 90, is credited with the invention of Kevlar aromatic polyamide fibre – initially developed as a tire reinforcement but now best known for its use in bullet-proof clothing.

Her discovery in 1964, came near to the end of a golden age of development in the field of polymer science: a surge of invention that began in the years leading up to World War II, and ran for about two decades after.

This produced many materials now considered essential to modern life, including - in rough chronological order - low density polyethylene, PMMA, polyurethane, polystyrene, PTFE, polyamide, polychloroprene, high density polyethylene and polypropylene.

By comparison, polymer science today seems to be very much in a sunset era - though this does not to do justice to the excellent work going on in areas such as liquid crystal polymers, metallocene catalysis, nanotechnology and biopolymers.

On the other hand, those with a flair for creativity and invention are less likely to thrive amid all the restrictions and red tape imposed on modern chemical corporations: there is likely much less scope for the ‘serendipity’ said to be key to several polymer breakthroughs including Kevlar.

Another missing ingredient is the urgent necessity brought about by the shortages in essential raw materials, during and after the War. The rubber industry is testimony to what can be achieved when the need arises - and may well be again if the worst-case scenarios for the world’s Hevea plantations come to pass.

The questions for the polymer sector overall, though, are: How would its pioneering scientists, such as Wallace Carothers, Roy Plunkett and Stephanie Kwolek, fare in today's industry, and is it still attracting and developing the skills of the brightest academic stars?

Please email your views on this topic to ERJ editor: Patrick Raleigh