Polymer
Polymers or long chain molecules are a type of synthetic macromolecule, in contrast with natural macromolecules such as proteins and polynucleotides. They are characterized by a large molecular weight and consist of repeating structural units, termed monomers, connected by chemical bonds. In general, their properties differ markedly from the corresponding monomers which they consist of. These properties may result in strong and/or durable materials that have many applications. 

By 2153, the Vissians claimed to have developed a polymer which was composed of over two hundred naturally occurring elements. By contrast, Humans had only discovered 92 at the time. ()

Polymers were, among other things, used to make plexiglass in the 20th century on Earth. To withstand a pressure of 18,000 cubic feet of water, a piece of plexiglass at 60 by 10 feet needed to be six inches thick. To hold the same amount of water, only a thickness of one inch was needed with a piece of transparent aluminum. Montgomery Scott explained how to make this to Doctor Nichols of the Plexicorp cooperation. ()

Polymer composites were used in the 21st century to construct spacecraft on Earth. Ares IV was made out of such a composite. ()

Polymer matrices could also be used to make alloys. The Sky Spirits used polymers to create their dwellings. ()

24th century Starfleet uniforms were created from synthetic polymers. The molecular structure of a polymer could be used to determine if it was made via replicator. ()

Types

Biopolymer
A biopolymer is an organic form of polymer. The 247th element known to the Federation was present in a polymer residue as a byproduct of the decomposition process after a Vhnori died. ()

Carbon polymer
Matter transformed by terraforming emulsion from an ancient generation ship was saturated with carbon polymer dust. ()

Silica polymer
A strange object being constructed in the  cargo bay was made out of silica polymers. ()

Tripolymers
Data's artificial body frame contained 26.8 kilograms of non-conductive tripolymer composites. It was capable of withstanding at least half a million amps, although this was no guarantee that Data would survive such a massive current. Fortunately, his safeguards protected him when he tried to disrupt a high energy arc using his body. ()

Tri-polymers can be used to create tripolymer plasma. This plasma would have less energy than plasma from a Federation  warp engine. The Pralor and Cravic used it in their chromodynamic power modules, which in turn powered the Automated Personnel Units. ()

Enzymes could be made out of tripolymer. A Delta Quadrant merchant named Bathar of Hodos once sold a so-called anti-aging process formula to Neelix which used tripolymer enzymes. It turned out the formula was better suited to make shoe polish. ()

See also
 Liquid polymer
 Sub-polymer scan

Extermal link
 

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Materials