Workshop on Interdisciplinary, Globally Leading Polymer Science and Engineering, August 15-16, 2007, Arlington, VA

本次研讨会得到了材料研究部和数学与物理科学理事会多学科活动办公室的支持，重点是为聚合物科学、工程和教育的未来发展方向提供广泛的指导。鉴于聚合物科学研究的重大发展和聚合物工业在10年内的同步发展，跨学科高分子科学与工程，这是必要的和及时的，一个新的研讨会现在举行，以确定和更新具体的科学和工程研究的机会和战略。 与此同时，由于科学技术的日益全球化，有必要在这种背景下审视聚合物领域，并确定教育和国际竞争力方面的机遇和挑战。 为此，将在NSF总部举办为期两天的研讨会，邀请来自学术界、工业界和国家实验室的主要科学家、工程师和教育工作者参加。 本次研讨会将由一个由六名个人组成的委员会组织，他们代表了非常广泛的学术和工业观点，并在聚合物领域及其与物理，化学，生物学，材料科学和工程等领域的接口方面具有专业知识。 本次研讨会的主要议题包括：（1）高分子合成与新型高分子材料;（2）复杂高分子系统的设计与操作;（3）计算建模与理论;（4）加工与组装;（5）表征与性能;（6）服务于社会的高分子技术。 教育和竞争力将融入每一个主题和整个讲习班。 除了6至10名与会者组成的6个小组讨论上述每个主题外，研讨会将由7名全体发言人就重要和及时的问题进行发言。 这些将包括层次功能材料，生物和医学聚合物，能源生产和储存，环境和可持续性，网络科学和聚合物，以及全球安全。更广泛的影响：教育和国际竞争力的重点将贯穿整个研讨会，也将是第一天小组讨论的主题。 研讨会将创建一个网站，作为一个工具，征求聚合物社区对这些主题的意见和建议，并提供有关研讨会组织，时间表和研讨会的参与者将反映出广泛的多样性，包括领先的高级和初级学术研究人员，多学科教育工作者，工业界和政府实验室的成员，以确保本次研讨会的结论广泛适用于聚合物研究和教育。 一些被选中的研究生（将被列为助理）也将受益于这一独特的经验。 研讨会结束后，组委会将向NSF报告整个小组的建议，并随后发布最终报告。 该报告将讨论关键的新研究和教育方向，以及不断变化的工业需求和聚合物研究的全球背景。 由此产生的报告将通过印刷品和互联网广泛传播，预计将影响全球聚合物科学和工程界。 许多其他联邦机构也对这次讲习班表示了极大的兴趣，预计它们将参加并共同主办这次讲习班。

This Workshop, supported by the Division of Materials Research and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities of the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, isfocused on providing broad guidance on future directions in polymer science, engineering, and education.INTELLECTUAL MERIT: Given the major developments in scientific research inpolymers and the simultaneous evolution of the polymer industry in the 10 yearsfollowing the last NSF Workshop on Interdisciplinary Macromolecular Science andEngineering, it is essential and timely that a new workshop be held now to identify and update specific science and engineering research opportunities and strategies. At the same time, reflecting the increasing globalization of science and technology, it is essential toexamine the polymer field under this light and to identify opportunities and challenges in terms of education and international competitiveness. For this purpose, a two-dayworkshop will be held at NSF headquarters with the participation of leading scientists,engineers, and educators from academia, industry, and national laboratories. Thisworkshop is to tbe organized by a committee of six individuals representing very broadacademic and industiral perspectives and having expertise across the polymer field and itsinterfaces with areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, andexngineering. The following six topics have been identified for study and discussionamong the workshop participants: (1) Polymer synthesis and new polymeric materials,(2) Design and manipulation of complex polymer systems, (3) Computational modelingand theory, (4) Processing and assembly, (5) Characterizatin and properties, and (6)Polymer technology in the service of society. Education and competitiveness will bewoven into each of these themes and throughout the workshop. In addition to the sixsubgroups fo 6 to 10 particpants to discuss each of the above topics, the workshop willbegin with seven plenary speakers on issues of major importance and timeliness. Thesewill include hiearchical functional materials, polumers in biology and medicine, energyproduction and storage, environmental and sustainability, cyberscience and polymers, and global security.BROADER IMPACTS: Emphasis on educaton and international competitiveness willbe given throughout the workshop and will also be the subject of a panel discussion on the first day. The workshop will create a web site that will be used as a tool to solicitinput and suggestions on these topics from the polymer community and to provideinformation about workshop organization, schedule, and (evenutally) conclusions.Participants in the workshop will reflect a wide diversity and include leading senior and junior academic researchers, polyer educators, members of industry and governmentlaboraties to ensure that the conclustions of this workshop are broadly applicable acrosspolymer research and education. A few selected graduate students (to be included asassistants) will also benefit from this unique experience. Following the workshop, the organizing committee will report to NSF on the recommendations fo the entire group, andwill subsequently publish a final report. The report will address key new research andeducation directions, as well as the changing industrial needs and global context ofpolymer research. The resulting report will be broadly disseminated through publicationin print and on the Internet and is expected to influence the global polymer science and engineering community. Major interest for this workshop has been expressed by manyother Federal Agencies, which are expected to participate and co-sponsor it.