Hands-on Laboratory Modules for Polymer Education within Biomedical Materials Applications

The need for simple and low-cost laboratory experiences extends beyond traditional laboratory spaces in instances where virtual, hybrid, and home learning environments are necessitated. Herein, we provide three at-home laboratory learning modules for teaching concepts in polymer chemistry, such as curing mechanisms, mechanophysical properties, and interactions between polymer adhesives and substrates. Biomaterial design principles are used as the framing for these modules to provide real world examples of how physical properties of polymers influence their utility in the medical field. These modules provide methods for testing the tensile, water vapor barrier, and compressive properties of several wound dressings or biomaterial analogues. The methods allow for the teaching of complex mechanical principles such as stress-strain curves, Young's modulus, stiffness, and toughness through simple setups that can be achieved through commonly available resources. The modules provide a series of tools and a course outline for hands-on teaching of polymer mechanical testing principles. The experiments and methods can also be used independently or easily adapted for teaching a variety of other mechanophysical laboratories.