Polymer Collection

Bakelite telephone. Dial telephone with bakelite casing. Bakelite, the first plastic to be used for widespread commercial purposes

Cordura Rayon Yarn, front cover of the DuPont Magazine
615356 Cordura Rayon Yarn, front cover of the DuPont Magazine, November 1940 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, Delaware

A styrite Syrian lion-bowl, 10th century BC
A styrite Syrian lion-bowl, stopper for a vase that acts as a cup, from the British Museums collection, 10th century BC

Nylon stockings, post-World War II C018 / 0642
Nylon stockings. Woman in the street putting on nylon stockings in the USA after World War II. Nylon was a new material discovered by the DuPont Company in 1935

Dental filling polymerisation, artwork C014 / 2025
Dental filling polymerisation. Artwork of a cross-section of a human tooth, with a filling (white) being set using an ultraviolet light lamp tool

Conceptual image of cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a cellular scaffolding or skeleton contained within a cells cytoplasm, and is present in all cells

Microscopic view of dendrimers. Dendrimers are repetitively branched molecules

Conceptual image of red blood cells with fibrin

Microscopic view of centrioles within a human cell
Microscopic view of barrel shaped structure of centrioles within a human cell. A centriole is a cylinder shaped cell structure found in most eukaryotic cells

Representation of a polymer in which molecules of the same structure are linked together in a chain to yield a single
CHEMISTRY: GIANT MOLECULES. Representation of a polymer in which molecules of the same structure are linked together in a chain to yield a single molecule different in weight

Representation of the desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymer
CHEMISTRY: GIANT MOLECULES. Representation of the desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymer

Mussel glue threads, SEM
Mussel glue. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the byssus (glue threads) of a common mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Oxoguanine glycosylase complex F006 / 9318
Oxoguanine glycosylase complex. Computer model showing an 8-Oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) molecule (beige) bound to a section of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, red and blue)

Oxoguanine glycosylase complex F006 / 9307
Oxoguanine glycosylase complex. Computer model showing an 8-Oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) molecule (beige) bound to a section of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, red and blue)

Polyunsaturated fat molecule. Computer model showing the structure of three unsaturated fat molecules bound together to form a polyunsaturated fat molecule

Nylon stockings exhibition, 1939 C018 / 0643
Nylon stockings exhibition. DuPont saleswoman (right) demonstrating the advantages of nylon stockings at an exhibition in 1939

Nylon stockings, 1940 C018 / 0644
Nylon stockings. Nylon stockings in use in a still from the DuPont Companys film A New World Through Chemistry (1940). This film showcased some of the latest advances

Early nylon research, 1940s C018 / 0676
Early nylon research. DuPont research chemist working with nylon 6-6, the original nylon polymer discovered in 1935. First synthesized in February 1935, this new polymer was later commercialised

Airbus A350 XWB wing manufacturing. Engineers working on a component that forms part of the trailing edge of a wing on the new Airbus A350 XWB

Fabric inspired by pine cones C014 / 0308
Fabric inspired by pine cones. Close-up of the surface of a climate-sensitive fabric that reacts to temperature and humidity in a similar manner to that of pines cones

Organic light emitting diode, artwork
Organic light emitting diode. Computer artwork showing the layered structure of an organic light emitting diodes (OLED). These ultra-thin polymer semi-conductors are light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Fibreglass, light micrograph
Light micrograph of fiberglass (or fibreglass), also called glass-reinforced plastic, is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibers of glass

Adenovirus penton base protein, molecular model. This protein molecule is a subunit called a penton, forming the vertices of the capsid of this adenovirus

Chitin, molecular model C016 / 5797
Chitin. Molecular model of chitin, a long-chain polysaccharide polymer with the repeat unit having the formula C8.H13.O5.N

Chitin, molecular model C016 / 5796
Chitin. Molecular model of chitin, a long-chain polysaccharide polymer with the repeat unit having the formula C8.H13.O5.N

Chitin, molecular model C016 / 5795
Chitin. Molecular model of chitin, a long-chain polysaccharide polymer with the repeat unit having the formula C8.H13.O5.N

Oxoguanine glycosylase complex C013 / 8884
Oxoguanine glycosylase complex. Computer model showing an 8-Oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) molecule (green) bound to a section of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, pink and blue)

Synthetic sponge, SEM
Synthetic sponge. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the branching structure of a synthetic sponge. This structure is based on that of natural sponges

TEMPUR memory foam, SEM
TEMPUR memory foam, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This viscoelastic memory foam, made from polyurethane, was originally developed in the 1970s at NASA Ames Research Center, California

Solar-powered flapping wing. Artwork of the solid state aircraft concept developed for the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts by researchers at the Ohio Aerospace Institute, USA

Waterproof bricks being viewed underwater by their developer, Mario Candor. These bricks have been made from clay that has been modified by adding a styrene acrylic copolymer to alter its properties

Intelligent label chip manufacture. Technician checking a polymer transistor (on screen upper right). This is a component of a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip

Material used in intelligent label chips
Intelligent label chips. Technician holding plastic polymers used in radio frequency identification (RFID) chips. RFID chips could soon replace barcodes

Organic light emitting diode. Researchers face reflected in a panel of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). These ultra-thin polymer semi- conductors convert applied voltage into light

Gecko robot foot
Synthetic gecko toes. Toes from a robot foot designed to mimic (biomimetics) the foot of a gecko. The robot foot is made of a dry adhesive polymer

Surgical face mask, SEM
Surgical face mask, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This mask is made of the plant material cellulose, which is biodegradable

Intelligent label chip. Computer artwork of a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip held between a womans finger and thumb

View of a light-emitting polymer researcher
MODEL RELEASED. Light emitting polymer. View of a male researcher working with a light emitting diode (LED) in a dust-free chamber

Intelligent labels. Supermarket trolley filled with products with radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in their packaging. RFID chips could soon replace barcodes

Polymer sphere for drug delivery
Drug delivery capsule. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a burst drug delivery capsule revealing smaller capsules (blue) inside it

Polypropylene filaments, SEM
Polypropylene filaments. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of filaments of the plastic polypropylene, formed by the polymerization of propylene

PLM of a synthetic liquid crystal polymer fibres
Liquid crystal fibres. Polarised light micrograph (PLM) of an extruded, cellulosic, liquid crystal (LC) polymer fibres. LC polymers are long

Polarised light micrograph of polymer filaments
Polymer filament. Polarised light micrograph of two extruded, liquid crystalline polymer filaments. The red and green colours highlight the regular contours on the filaments surface

Cotton and synthetic fibres, SEM
Cotton and synthetic underwear fibres. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cotton and polyurethane mixture of fibres woven to form part of a womans underwear item

Synthetic fibres, SEM
Synthetic fibres. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of synthetic fibres woven to form material for clothing

Contact lens production, artwork. Contact lenses are artificial lenses designed to be worn directly on the surface of the eye

Glycogen units, molecular model. Glycogen is made from many glucose molecules linked by one of two types of glycosidic bonds

Plant cell wall, diagram

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unveiling the Versatility of Polymers: From Ancient Artifacts to Modern Marvels" Polymer, a term that encompasses a wide range of materials, has revolutionized various aspects of our lives. Its impact can be traced back to the early 20th century when Bakelite telephone emerged as one of the first synthetic polymers, paving the way for countless innovations. Fast forward to Cordura Rayon Yarn, which graced the front cover of DuPont Magazine and showcased how polymers could enhance durability and strength in textiles. Meanwhile, an exquisite styrite Syrian lion-bowl from 10th century BC demonstrated how ancient civilizations harnessed polymer-like materials for artistic expression. Post-World War II witnessed another breakthrough with nylon stockings (C018 / 0642), symbolizing women's empowerment and highlighting polymer's role in fashion and everyday life. Not limited to aesthetics alone, dental filling polymerisation (artwork C014 / 2025) exemplified its crucial role in healthcare. Delving deeper into this microscopic realm, dendrimers captivated scientists with their intricate structure - a mesmerizing sight under high magnification. These tiny wonders opened doors to new possibilities in drug delivery systems and nanotechnology. Shifting focus towards biology, conceptual images revealed the importance of polymers like cytoskeletons - providing structural support within cells - while red blood cells intertwined with fibrin emphasized their involvement in clotting mechanisms. Lastly, centrioles within human cells offered yet another glimpse into polymer's significance by aiding cell division and ensuring genetic stability on a minuscule scale. From telecommunication devices to medical advancements and beyond, these captivating glimpses into the world of polymers highlight their versatility across time periods and disciplines. As we continue exploring this fascinating field, it is clear that polymers will remain at the forefront of innovation for years to come.