Polymers:The Materials of Ever-Emerging Possibilities

History of the advent of the polymer science and of the phenomenal growth in the technology and applications of polymeric materials over the past 75-90 years has been traced. Emergence of poly­ mer-based materials compounded with a host of different other ingredients to make them depend­ able materials suited for applications as rubbers, plastics, fibres, adhesives, encapsulates, laminates and composites and as chemical and bio-sensors and the structure-property relationships have been highlighted. Emerging trends of synthesis of newer polymers with new range of sturctures suited to new range of applications, and polymer’s possible role in power generation and the technology approaches for such transformations and possibilities have been highlighted.