Polymer property prediction and optimization using neural networks

Prediction and optimization of polymer properties is a complex and highly non-linear problem with no easy method to accurately predict polymer properties directly and accurately. The problem is even more complicated in high molecular weight polymers like engineering plastics which have the greatest use in industry. The effects of modifying a mer (polymer repeat unit) on the polymerization and the resulting polymer properties is not as easy a problem to investigate experimentally given the large number of possibilities. This severely curtails the design of new polymers with specific end use properties. Another aspect in the development of useful materials is the use of polymer blending. Here again predicting miscibility or compatibility together with resulting blend properties is difficult, but imperative in order to get a useful product. Since miscibility can be controlled using lo