Posted on July 31, 2021
This is an update of my post published on July 31, 2010:
Born on this day in 1923 in Pennsylvania, Stephanie Kwolek became a chemist and invented poly-paraphenylene terephtalamide. You know—Kevlar!
Kwolek was working for DuPont when she invented Kevlar, which is used for bicycle tires, racing sails, mooring lines, and (famously) body armor. It is a high-strength material, especially considering its weight: Kevlar is FIVE TIMES stronger than steel, weight-for-weight.
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| Some bike tires are advertised with "Kevlar puncture protection." |
Kwolek received a patent in 1971 for Kevlar, and she has received at least 27 other patents and numerous awards for her work in polymer chemistry. A polymer is a natural or synthetic material made up of many (sometimes millions) of repeated units. Two examples of natural polymers are tortoise shell and amber. Plastics are polymers that humans artificially make.
Here is a polymer experiment using PVA glue and borax.
This experiment is a bit easier, because it combines ordinary white glue with borax.
Here is a great Kwolek quote: "All sorts of things can happen when you're open to new ideas and playing around with things.”
Also on this date:
Author J. K. Rowling's birthday
(Last Saturday in July)
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