Symposium on Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces, Chicago, Illinois, March 25-29, 2007

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Project SummaryPolymer surfaces and interfaces control the properties that define function in the emerging areasof biotechnology and nanotechnology. Although the general topic of polymer surfaces andinterfaces has a long and rich history, the evolution of new polymer chemistries, fabricationapproaches, characterization methods, and targeted applications provides unquestionablemotivation for an inter-disciplinary symposium to foster discussions and cross-breeding of ideasand understanding to push this critical field forward. Accordingly, I and three co-organizers[Professor Jeff Youngblood (Purdue University), Professor Rigoberto Advincula (University ofHouston), and Dr. Ying Chang (Academia Sinica Taiwan)] are leading the organization of afocused symposium entitled: Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces at the upcoming national meetingof the American Chemical Society in Chicago during March 2007.Intellectual MeritThis symposium will consist of six focused topic sessions that will not only demonstrate thecommon foundation of polymer surfaces and interfaces across a wide range of applications andapproaches, but most importantly the program will encourage the development of collaborationsand cross-breeding of ideas. The focused topic sessions include: 1.) Polymer Brushes, 2.)Macromolecular Assemblies, 3.) Responsive Surfaces, Interfaces, and Films, 4.) Biopolymer /Bioactive Surfaces, 5.) Chemistry at Surfaces and Interfaces, 6.) Adhesion and InterfacialPhysics. These six topics represent the current state-of-the-art research in the field of polymersurfaces and interfaces. The range of chemistries, processes, characterization methods, andapplications within each of these focused sessions will provide a unique program to encouragecollaboration and education among established and young researchers. The foundation for thisprogram has been set with an extensive and diverse list of invited speakers that represent theleaders in research in the topics covered by the six focused topic sessions.Broader ImpactThe broader impact of this symposium will emerge from the diversity of the co-organizingcommittee, the diversity of the invited speakers, and the diversity of the general participants atthe national meeting of the American Chemical Society. This symposium will encourage theexposure of young researchers in the field of polymer surfaces and interfaces by inviting severalspeakers that are either young professors or post-doctoral researchers, while also providing aposter session for the general participation of graduate student researchers. Furthermore, theparticipation of women and under-represented minorities will be encouraged through directinvitations and widely-distributed advertisements. This organization will not only provideopportunities for research scientists from all backgrounds to discuss current challenges andapproaches in polymer surface and interface research, but it will provide an opportunity foryoung researchers to be educated and prepared for their future careers.