Research Apprenticeship Program

Drexel University Field Trip

Field Trip to Drexel University's:

Students met with faculty and toured different laboratories that focus in the areas of polymers, hydrogels, drug delivery, and electron microscopy.

In the polymer's laboratory we learned about polymers - what they are made of, how they are used, and how they function. We also had the opportunity to conduct two experiments: making a hydrogel polymer and making poly ether foam.

In the Biomaterials and Drug Delivery laboratory we saw many different types of hydrogels and learned of their potential applications including intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus replacement and drug delivery systems for the oral intake of insulin and other drugs.

We also visited the SEM (scanning electron microscope) facility which houses an AMRAY Model 1830/D4 Digital Analytical SEM, among other things. The students got to see a several materials, including coins and fracture surfaces, at magnifications ranging from 10X to 5,000X.

Some highlights from our trip:

When we first arrived we were given a brief introduction to Materials and Chemical Engineering and some of the research conducted in these labs. Once we finished our donuts we were broken into smaller groups and went to the labs.

The polymer's laboratory in the Materials Engineering Department provided hands-on experiments. Here Osama, Eboni, and Rachel make a polymer gel from Borax and poly (vinyl alcohol).

Josylyn and Geraldine also make the gels. The gels are physically cross-linked polymers, which give them many interesting properties.

Aditya, Maria, and LaShauna examine the properties of the gels, including their viscoelastic nature and their good optical properties.

The students also have to opportunity to make foam. This is a process where the students mix monomer with an initiator and polymerization occurs. Here Geraldine, Josyalyn, and Jess show their end products.

As the polymerization process begins, gasses are released and creates air pockets, or pores, in the polymer structure. Osama, Eboni, and Rachel study the properties of their foam, especially its light weight and low density.


When we first arrived we were given a brief introduction to Materials and Chemical Engineering and some of the research conducted in these labs. Once we finished our donuts we were broken into smaller groups and went to the labs.	The polymer's laboratory in the Materials Engineering Department provided hands-on experiments. Here Osama, Eboni, and Rachel make a polymer gel from Borax and poly (vinyl alcohol).

Josylyn and Geraldine also make the gels. The gels are physically cross-linked polymers, which give them many interesting properties.	Aditya, Maria, and LaShauna examine the properties of the gels, including their viscoelastic nature and their good optical properties.

The students also have to opportunity to make foam. This is a process where the students mix monomer with an initiator and polymerization occurs. Here Geraldine, Josyalyn, and Jess show their end products.	As the polymerization process begins, gasses are released and creates air pockets, or pores, in the polymer structure. Osama, Eboni, and Rachel study the properties of their foam, especially its light weight and low density.