This reading tells the story of Stephanie Kwolek's invention of aramid polymers and also introduces the concept of the liquid crystalline state. Liquid crystallinity is what scientists call a mesophase; a state of matter in between two of the classical states: solid, liquid, and gas. Liquid crystalline states are somewhat like liquids and somewhat like solids. The topic of this mesophase can be used to reinforce the students' understanding of the three classical states of matter. For this purpose, a Tutorial, The States of Matter, has been included in this module. This reading also leads into the biographical sketch of Stephanie Kwolek.

Relevant National Science Education Standards

Unifying Concepts and Processes — The order (and disorder) of molecules in the various states of matter is central to this reading, especially the semi-ordered arrangements of molecules in liquid crystalline states.

Science as Inquiry — The reading points out how Stephanie Kwolek's inquiry concerning stronger fibers led to the unexpected discovery of a liquid crystalline polymer.

Physical Science — The molecular structure of Kevlar^® and its similarity to the molecular structure of nylon are important points of the reading.

History and Nature of Science — This historical account clearly presents science as a human endeavor.

References

Kwolek, Stephanie. Interview by Bernadette Bensuade-Vincent, 21 March 1998 at Wilmington, Delaware. Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Foundation.