2008 Polymer Physics Gordon Research Conference, Newport, RI, June 29 - July 4, 2008

第21届聚合物物理戈登会议将于2008年6月29日至7月4日在国际利桑那州纽波特的索尔里贾纳举行。1969年首次召开的会议一直是聚合物物理领域的一次关键会议，它确保每个项目都有顶级演讲者介绍他们在新的和持久的领域的最新成果。2008年的会议将结合广度和深度，由代表学术界、国家实验室和工业界的实验者和理论家进行演讲。虽然讲座仅限受邀参加，但欢迎所有与会者赠送海报。聚合物物理学的传统是，即使是出席的非常知名的科学家(没有被邀请发言)也完全参与到海报会议中来。值得注意的是，国家和国际演讲者和会议主席的多样化群体包括创纪录数量的女性参与者，她们今年夏天在Salve Regina活跃并具有科学刺激性。%国家科学基金会在这里申请的少量赠款将使刚刚开始在这一领域独立职业生涯的科学家能够获得支持。保持一个领域充满活力和富有成效的一个关键要求是它继续吸引聪明和忠诚的新成员。一旦这些人投入到一个研究领域，帮助他们与现有成员建立联系也同样重要。戈登会议在这方面提供了独特的机会。它每两年举办一次，这样就有了反复曝光的机会；每天的例行公事将一对一的个人互动作为优先事项，因为演讲安排在上午和晚餐后，整个下午都开放给科学和社会互动。预计参加即将到来的聚合物物理戈登会议将对其初级与会者产生重大影响。这将是因为会议期间进行的见解和对话将激发或进一步发展的想法，以及随着一周的进展而形成和滋养的持续的科学互动和友谊。通过这里请求的NSF支持，聚合物物理社区将被扩大，其未来将被加强。

The 21st Polymer Physics Gordon Conference will take place at Salve Regina in Newport, RI, the week of June 29th to July 4th, 2008. The Conference which first ran in 1969 has remained a key meeting in the area of polymer physics by ensuring that each program is filled with top speakers presenting their most current results in areas both new and enduring. The 2008 Conference will combine breadth and depth, with talks by experimentalists and theoreticians representing academia, national labs and industry. While the talks are by invitation only, all attendees are welcome to present posters. The tradition of Polymer Physics has been that even the very well-known scientists who are attending (without being invited speakers) are thoroughly involved in the poster sessions. It is worth noting that the diverse group of national and international speakers and session chairs includes a record number of women participants, lively and scientifically stimulating at Salve Regina this summer.%%%The modest grant being requested here from the National Science Foundation will enable support for the attendance of scientists who are just starting their independent careers in this field. A critical requirement in keeping a field vibrant and productive is that it continue to attract bright and committed new members. Once such individuals become invested in a research area it is equally important to help them make connections with established members. The Gordon Conference offers unique opportunities in this regard. It runs every two years, which allows for 'repeated exposure;' the daily routine makes one-on-one personal interactions a priority, in that talks are scheduled in the morning and after dinner, with the whole afternoon open for scientific-social interactions. It is anticipated that participation in the upcoming Polymer Physics Gordon Conference will have a significant impact on its junior attendees. This will come about because of the ideas which will be sparked or further developed as a result of insights and dialogue which take place during the meeting, as well as from the continuing scientific interactions and friendships which are formed and nourished as the week progresses. The Polymer Physics community will be broadened and its future will be strengthened through the NSF support requested here.