Area 1: Fundamentals
Section 1: Chemical Kinetics and Equilibrium
Rates of chemical reactions, rate laws and the dependence of concentration on rates, integrated rate laws (zero-order, first-order, and second-order integrated rate laws). Temperature and kinetics, reaction mechanisms, catalysis. Chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constants, Le Chatelier’s principle, free energy and chemical equilibrium.
Section 2: Analytical Chemistry
Ground rules and fundamentals of analytical chemistry, including the importance of quality assurance of data and statistics. The use of UV-visible light absorption and fluorescence phenomena for analytical measurements, Raman spectroscopy applications. Separatory methods for analytical measurements, Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry applications.
Section 3: Organic Chemistry
Special nature of Carbon and characteristics of organic molecules. Structures and classes of hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics). Organic reactions and important functional groups (alcohol, amine, aldehyde, etc.). Synthetic macromolecules (addition and condensation polymers, etc.). Biological macromolecules (sugars, amino acids, nucleic acids).
Section 4: Electrochemistry
Oxidation-reduction reactions and galvanic cells, corrosion. Cell potentials and chemical equilibrium. Batteries, fuel cells. Electrolysis and stoichiometry.
Area 2: Applications
Section 5: Commodity and Conducting Polymers
Chemical bonding within a polymer: H-Bonding, Pi to Pi bonding, electrostatic and entanglement. Examples of common commodity polymers and how they are processed. The concepts behind extrusion and injection moulding. Chemical and physical properties of a conducting polymer, with three examples: polyacetylene, polypyrrole and polyaniline. The mechanism of conductivity, and the implications on electrochemical cycling on the properties. Applications of conducting polymers including: surface coatings, actuators and membranes
Section 6: Polymer Roofing
Roofing tiles, and the types of materials commonly employed. An introducting to polymer roofing tiles and the implications. The testing required to achieve certification including hail resistance, wind uplift and fire retardants. The various types of fire retardants used and the concepts behind how they target the fair. The use of the roof to generate power in the form of thermal and photovoltaics.