polyacrylamide

[ pol-ee-uh-kril-uh-mahyd, -mid, -ak-ruh-lam-ahyd, -id ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, solid, water-soluble polymer of acrylamide, used in secondary oil recovery, as a thickening agent, a flocculant, and an absorbent, and to separate macromolecules of different molecular weights.

polyacrylamide

/ pŏl′ē-ə-krĭl′ə-mīd′ /

1. A white, water-soluble polymer containing repeating units of acrylamide (C 3 H 5 NO)and related to acrylic acid. Polyacrylamide is used in food packaging, adhesives, coatings, and paper manufacturing. It is also used to reduce soil erosion and as a gel for electrophoresis in the laboratory analysis of protein and DNA structures.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyacrylamide¹

First recorded in 1940–45; poly- + acrylamide

Example Sentences

Two tankers were carrying residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid, the county said, and two others had residual amounts of polyacrylamide water solution.

From Washington Post

Officials said two of the four empty tanker cars that derailed had previously carried diesel exhaust fluid and the other two had residual amounts of polyacrylamide water solution, which Barner said is an additive commonly used in wastewater treatment.

From Washington Times

Officials said two of the tankers were carrying residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid and the other two had residual amounts of polyacrylamide water solution, which they called “common industrial products shipped via railroad.”

From Seattle Times

Two had residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid, and the other had residual amounts of polyacrylamide water solution.

From New York Times

The polyacrylamide gel, similar to what’s in baby diapers, is thicker and stickier than the typical retardant used in aerial firefighting tactics.

From Los Angeles Times