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At the forefront of polymeric design and applications

The Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) Division helps connect scientists seeking to leverage the unique design, functionality, engineering, and properties of macromolecules in challenging applications

Who We Are

The Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, a division of the American Chemical Society, was founded in 1924 as an association of scientists with an interest in understanding how to improve and understand paints and other polymeric coatings. The complex interactions and optimization between the polymeric material, solvents, substrates, and end use required a collaborative effort to understand fundamental property interactions. PMSE build and maintain relationships, arrange polymeric programs at professional meetings, and promotes the teaching of macromolecular chemistry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Advancing Polymer Research

Focused on scientific discovery and research across macromolecular disciplines and their interaction with other scientific and engineering fields

Developing New Members

Developmental symposium and awards help promote new researchers and expose new ideas to the broader community

Connecting Our Community

Join PMSE and become a member of a supportive professional network of active and diverse members

News and Updates

2022 ACS Global Outstanding Student and Mentor Awards in Polymer Science and Engineering Award Winners
The 2022 award winners for the ACS Global Outstanding Student and Mentor Awards in Polymer Science and Engineering are Dr. Vivian Feig, advised by Prof. Zhenan Bao, of Standford University, and Dr. Spyridon Varlas, advised by Prof Rachel O'Reilly, of the University of Birmingham, U.K. Dr. Feig's research work on conductive hydrogels and Dr. Varlas's research work on tuning the …
Chemistry of Materials Lectureship and Best Paper Award Winners Announced
The 2022 award winners Meng Li and Dr. Baolin Guo from Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and the Frontier Institute of Science and Technology (FIST). The award article is "Two-Pronged Strategy of Biomechanically Active and Biochemically Multifunctional Hydrogel Wound Dressing To Accelerate Wound Closure and Wound Healing", which describes hydrogels which can assist wound closure and also incorporate biochemical functions, creating a …
Prof. Devaraj is the Recipient of the 2021 Bioconjugate Chemistry Lectureship Award
Dr. Neal K. DevarajUniversity of California, San Diego This year’s recipient is Dr. Neal K. Devaraj at the University of California, San Diego. Professor Devaraj is recognized for groundbreaking contributions to the field of bioorthogonal chemistry and advances in understanding the origins of cellular life. Neal K. Devaraj is a Professor and Murray Goodman Endowed Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry …
2022 PMSE Young Investigator Symposium Honorees Announced
Twenty one researchers will present at the PMSE Young Investigator Symposium, to be held at the Fall 2022 National ACS meeting in Chicago, IL. The goal of this annual symposium is to highlight and provide a forum for members in the early phase of their polymeric science and engineering research career. For more information, please visit the PMSE Young Investigator …
2022 Future Faculty Symposium Honorees Announced
Twenty two researchers will present at the Future Faculty Symposium, to be held at the Fall 2022 National ACS meeting in Chicago, IL. The goal of this annual symposium is to highlight and provide a forum for newly graduated or post-doctoral researchers working in polymeric materials that are applying to academic positions during that year (i.e., for appointments beginning the …
2022 Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award to Prof. Frank A. Leibfarth
Frank A. Leibfarth University of North Carolina Prof. Leibfarth, University of North Carolina The editors of the Journal of Polymer Science and the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) are delighted to present the 2022 Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award to Dr. Frank A. Leibfarth. Frank currently works as an Assistant Professor …
2022 Henkel Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Science and Engineering to Dr. Jill W. Alty
Jill Williamson Alty received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill under the direction of Prof. Frank Leibfarth and co-advised by Prof. Erik Alexanian. During her graduate studies, she developed new technologies and insights into polyolefin C-H functionalization. Her graduate work included studying mechanisms of C-H functionalization reactions, designing reagents for metal-free functionalization, and translating …
2022 Message from the Chair
On behalf of the PMSE officership, Executive Committee, and programming team, I am delighted to kick off our return to in-person programming at the Spring 2022 ACS meeting in San Diego.  It’s been two years since cancellation of the Spring 2020 meeting and our subsequent retreat from laboratories, offices, and schools to living rooms and Zoom rooms. Lack of the …

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