Adv Polym Sci (2013) 261: 21–38
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_257
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 27 October 2013
Hermann Staudinger and Polymer Research
in Freiburg
Hans-Joachim Cantow and Rolf Mu ¨ lhaupt
Abstract Between 1926 and 1956, Hermann Staudinger carried out his groundbreaking research on macromolecular chemistry at the University of Freiburg. He
recognized that biopolymers and synthetic polymers are formed according to the
same blueprint. Fighting vigorously against his numerous opponents, he established
his concept of macromolecules. Since the pioneering days, his bioinspired molecular design of multifunctional polymeric materials has stimulated remarkable
progress in materials science, biosciences, and engineering, accompanied by an
extraordinary growth in polymer production. In 1940, Staudinger founded the
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry as the first European center for interdisciplinary polymer research. In 1999, his laboratory was honored as an International
Historic Chemical Landmark dedicated to the foundation of polymer sciences.
Today, macromolecular (bio)systems engineering, inspired by Staudinger’s visions,
plays a prominent role in sustainable development.
Keywords Bioinspired materials Á Hermann Staudinger Á History Á International
Historic Chemical Landmark Á Macromolecule Á Polymer Á Polymer sciences
Contents
1 Staudinger’s Laboratory as International Historic Chemical Landmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2 Staudinger: Pioneer of Bioinspired Chemical Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3 Staudinger’s Viscosity Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4 Imaging of Single Macromolecules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 26
5 Hermann Staudinger and the Third Reich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
H.-J. Cantow and R. Mu ¨lhaupt (*)
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Freiburg Materials Research Center, FMF, and
Freiburg Center of Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, FIT, of the University
Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
e-mail: rolfmuelhaupt@web.de
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_257
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 27 October 2013
Hermann Staudinger and Polymer Research
in Freiburg
Hans-Joachim Cantow and Rolf Mu ¨ lhaupt
Abstract Between 1926 and 1956, Hermann Staudinger carried out his groundbreaking research on macromolecular chemistry at the University of Freiburg. He
recognized that biopolymers and synthetic polymers are formed according to the
same blueprint. Fighting vigorously against his numerous opponents, he established
his concept of macromolecules. Since the pioneering days, his bioinspired molecular design of multifunctional polymeric materials has stimulated remarkable
progress in materials science, biosciences, and engineering, accompanied by an
extraordinary growth in polymer production. In 1940, Staudinger founded the
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry as the first European center for interdisciplinary polymer research. In 1999, his laboratory was honored as an International
Historic Chemical Landmark dedicated to the foundation of polymer sciences.
Today, macromolecular (bio)systems engineering, inspired by Staudinger’s visions,
plays a prominent role in sustainable development.
Keywords Bioinspired materials Á Hermann Staudinger Á History Á International
Historic Chemical Landmark Á Macromolecule Á Polymer Á Polymer sciences
Contents
1 Staudinger’s Laboratory as International Historic Chemical Landmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2 Staudinger: Pioneer of Bioinspired Chemical Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3 Staudinger’s Viscosity Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4 Imaging of Single Macromolecules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 26
5 Hermann Staudinger and the Third Reich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
H.-J. Cantow and R. Mu ¨lhaupt (*)
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Freiburg Materials Research Center, FMF, and
Freiburg Center of Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, FIT, of the University
Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
e-mail: rolfmuelhaupt@web.de