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Future Programming

Additional symposium are under consideration for topics for the Fall 2024 meeting and beyond. If you are interested in hosting a symposium at the National ACS Meeting in a PMSE-related topic, please view our page on how to submit an symposium idea.

Denver, CO – August 2024


ACS Award in Applied Polymer Science: Symposium in Honor of Frank S. Bates

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Marc Hillmyer, University of Minnesota

ACS Award in Applied Polymer Science was established to recognize and encourage outstanding achievements in the science or technology of plastics, coatings, polymer composites, adhesives, and related fields. The award winner, Frank S. Bates of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, has contributed seminal work to the phase behavior of polymer blends and to the physics of microphase separated block copolymers. His faculty page can be viewed here.

Advanced Patterning Chemistry: Materials and Methods for Next Generation Semiconductors

Sponsored by: PMSE
Christopher Ober
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Maggy Harake, Stanford

The production of advanced microelectronics relies on the use of the most sophisticated patterning methods. Among these methods, patterning at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths (13 nm) is now entering manufacturing while simultaneously introducing new patterning materials. Polymeric, inorganic and hybrid materials are all contenders for the upcoming generation of high numerical aperture (high NA) tools. This symposium will explore recent and ongoing developments in these patterning systems from the perspective of synthetic chemistry and materials, deposition methods, theory, characterization and materials performance.

Advanced Polymers for Purification of Water and CO2 and their Direct Capture from Air

Sponsored by: PMSE
Yifu Ding
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Yifu Ding, University of Colorado Boulder
Elizabeth Jackson, Donaldson
Haiqing Lin, University of Buffalo
Christopher M. Stafford, NIST

Polymeric materials are critical to addressing pressing challenges in water, energy, and sustainability. Advances in polymer architectures, structures, and processing/fabrication methods are important to both improving efficiency of existing applications (e.g. water treatment) and enabling new applications (e.g., carbon capture, water capture from air, and direct air capture of CO2). This symposium aims to highlight recent advances in polymeric membranes and sorbents for efficient water purification, water capture from air, direct air capture of CO2, and CO2 purification.

Bioconjugate Chemistry Young Investigator Award

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Theresa Reineke, University of Minnesota
Amy Southall, ACS International

The Bioconjugate Chemistry Young Investigator Award recognizes an outstanding researcher who has made a major impact working at the interface between the biological and human-made worlds.

Climbing Macromolecular Ladders: Elevating the Design, Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Ladder Polymers

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Lei Fang, Texas A&M
Yan Xia, Stanford
Fumitaka Ishiwari, Osaka University
Tomoyuki Ikai, Nagoya University

The symposium is dedicated to the unique architecture of ladder polymers, encompassing their synthesis, properties, and materials applications. The concept of ladder polymers is as old as polymer science itself. However, their developments have been slow compared to other polymer architectures due to many challenges associated with the ladder architecture. In the past decade, there is a burgeoning interest in ladder polymers from polymer scientists with diverse backgrounds, primarily driven by the distinctive materials properties these structures afford, such as the intriguingly rigid chain conformation, extraordinary stability, intrinsic microporosity, and superior conductivity, etc. Significant recent progress has been made both in fundamental studies on the synthesis and properties of ladder polymers and in their applications across various domains. Japanese peers in this field have already successfully organized two symposia on this topic in 2019 and 2022. Recognizing the growing interest and advancements in the field, we believe it is of urgent importance to host a similar symposium in the US, extending invitations to peers worldwide, to facilitate discussions on the polymer science of ladder polymers.

Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Kelly Burke, University of Connecticut

Eastman Student Award recognizes a graduate student in applied polymer science research, based on ACS conference abstract/preprint and presentation at an ACS National Meeting. Check pmsedivision.org for when nominations open.

The Fate of Polymers: Perfluoroalkyl Subtances, Microplastics, and Degradation Strategies

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Christopher Letko, Dow Chemical Company

The durability of modern polymeric materials has created a challenge in identifying pathways for their transformation into benign species. Microplastics and perfluoroalkyl substances comprise two major classes of industrial materials that persist in the environment. This symposium will encompass chemical and catalytic strategies toward the degradation of both microplastic and perfluoroalkyl substances. We also encourage submissions covering upcycling strategies for plastics into value-added raw materials and the design of non-fluorinated alternatives to perfluoroalkyl substances that address paths forward for these two classes of materials.

Fabrication and Processing of Polymeric Materials

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Jennifer Schaefer, University of Notre Dame

This symposia covers topics which are not the focus of other hosted symposium in the current programming schedule, but are related to the PMSE Division scope. The primary topics for this symposium include the fabrication and processing of polymers.

Novel Applications of Polymeric Materials

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Jennifer Schaefer, University of Notre Dame

This symposia covers topics which are not the focus of other hosted symposium in the current programming schedule, but are related to the PMSE Division scope. The primary topics for this symposium include the novel applications of polymers.

Characterization and Prediction of Properties of Polymeric Materials

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Jennifer Schaefer, University of Notre Dame

This symposia covers topics which are not the focus of other hosted symposium in the current programming schedule, but are related to the PMSE Division scope. The primary topics for this symposium include the characterization and prediction of properties for polymeric materials.

Henkel Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Science and Engineering

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Jessica Kramer, University of Utah

Henkel Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Science and Engineering recognizes a graduate student or recent graduate who has completed an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in polymeric research. Nominees are judged on the basis of their contribution to the thesis research, the quality and level of innovation demonstrated, the impact of their research on the science and technology of synthetic polymers or biopolymers, and their service and contributions to the broader community.

Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Craig Hawker, UCSB
Patricia Johnson, Wiley
Joseph Krumpfer, Wiley

This symposium feature work related to the research topic of the Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award winner, which recognizes polymer scientists under the age of 40 to celebrate their significant research innovation and achievement in the field.

Navigating the Nanoscale: Innovations in Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Machine Learning for Polymeric Materials

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Vikas Vashney, AFRL
Hendrik Heinz, U of Colorado
Ying Li, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Andrea Browning, Schrodinger

Polymeric materials are ubiquitous in modern technology and are crucial to many industries due to their unique properties, such as mechanical strength, flexibility, and chemical stability. However, understanding the behavior of polymeric materials at the atomic and molecular level remains a challenging task. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has emerged as powerful tool for studying the behavior of polymeric materials and can provide insight into the fundamental mechanisms that govern their behavior.

PMSE Early Investigator Symposium

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Christian Pester, Penn State
Christopher Stafford, NIST
Emily Pentzer, Texas A&M
Christopher Soles, NIST

The PMSE Early Investigator symposium highlights the research from the 2024 class of honorees. Honorees are chosen from early-career emerging leaders who have made significant contributions in their respective fields within polymer materials science and engineering.

PMSE Future Faculty Symposium

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Christian Pester, Penn State
Christopher Stafford, NIST
Emily Pentzer, Texas A&M
Christopher Soles, NIST

PMSE Future Faculty Symposium highlights the research from the 2024 class of honorees. Honorees are chosen from postdocs who have made significant contributions to their respective fields within polymer materials science and engineering and are applying to academic positions during that year.

PMSE/POLY Poster Session

Sponsored by: PMSE
Poster Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Jennifer Schaefer, Notre Dame

This symposium is poster only, for both the Division of Polymer Chemistry and the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering division. Students can be eligible for the PMSE best poster award when submitting through the PMSE division.

PMSE/POLY Student Chapter Symposium: Elevating Polymer Science in the State of Colorado

Sponsored by: PMSE
POLY
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Ethan Quinn, Colorado State University
Brandon Hosford, University of Minnesota

The symposium will cover a diverse range of topics in polymer science from prominent scientists connected to the Colorado and Rocky Mountain polymer community. We invite talks from both junior and senior researchers in academia and industry conducting innovative research in the fields of polymers and materials science. We hope to promote polymer research by those currently conducting research in Colorado or were trained in Colorado, especially in the areas of sustainable polymers, to show the community at large that Colorado is a hot-bed for innovative polymer research. We aim to promote community and collaboration in the field broadly and in Colorado through coffee breaks and discussions within and between sessions. Overall, this symposium will provide a space where learning and growth will occur between members of the polymer science community.

PMSE/PSK (Polymer Society of Korea) Joint Meeting

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Dhriti Nepal, Air Force Research Laboratory
Christopher Soles, NIST
Christopher Stafford, NIST

This symposium opens up a new collaborative opportunity between the Polymer Society of Korea (PSK) and the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS PMSE) to harness enormous potential through engagement, networking, and partnership. This symposium will highlight the success of a group of selected scientists from the US and Korea who made a successful program through collaboration between the two countries in the topics related to colloidal and molecular assembly and energy & environment. In addition to technical talks, this symposium will include an expert panel session to discuss topics of mutual interest, leveraging partnerships, and future opportunities.

Porous Polymers

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Michael Silverstein, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Neil Cameron, Monash University
Ulrich Wiesner, Cornell University
Ruilan Guo, University of Notre Dame

Porous materials, especially porous polymers, are at the heart of many technologies needed to solve major societal challenges and which align with many of the UN’s sustainable development goals. Notable examples include membranes for gas separation and water purification, crucial for access to clean water and energy security for our vulnerable communities. The secret to high-performance porous polymers lies in their chemistry, which is critical for applications such as hydrogen separation and carbon capture. The Porous Polymers Symposium will highlight how elevating polymer chemistry and materials science brings it to the forefront of the advanced technologies that are of vital importance to mankind.

Rock Stars of Regenerative Engineering

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Paulos Mengsteab, Icahn School of Engineering at Mt. Sinai
Cato Laurencin, University of Connecticut
Evan Flach, Regenerative Engineering Society, AIChE

Founded by Dr. Cato Laurencin, the mission of the Regenerative Engineering Society (RES) is to promote and advance regenerative engineering, a field defined as the Convergence of Advanced Materials Sciences, Stem Cell Science, Physics, Developmental Biology and Clinical Translation for the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. One of the ways RES does this is by organizing an annual conference, Rock Stars of Regenerative Engineering. This conference gathers world-renowned regenerative engineers and scientists to provide their perspectives on research and the future direction of the field. In addition to these leading researchers, up and coming Shining Stars deliver talks on their work. Rising Stars, generally students and post-docs, have opportunities to connect with leaders in the field and share their research through poster presentations.

Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings

Sponsored by: PMSE
Invited-Only Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Jamil Baghdachi, Eastern Michigan University

Roy W. Tess Award symposium highlights the research of the 2024 Tess Award winner, with a featured talk by the award winner at the end of the session. This award recognizes outstanding individual achievements and note-worthy contributions to coatings science, technology and engineering, confirming PMSE’s long-standing and continuing support and dedication to excellence in the science, technology and engineering of coatings.

Synthesis, Properties, and Application of Sustainable Polymers

Sponsored by: PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Samantha Kristufek, Texas Tech University
Eleftheria Roumeli, University of Washington
Andrew Weems, Ohio University

Plastics are a benefit to society; however, they have created a global challenge as they pollute our land, water, and air. This pressing issue has demanded that scientists overcome these obstacles by designing new materials, redesigning current plastics, creating new processing methods, and other unique solutions. Realizing the importance of producing novel strategies to address plastic pollution, this symposium broadly focuses on the topic of sustainable materials and materials that contribute to the circular economy. The following emerging topics are of interest: synthesis of new biodegradable and/or recyclable polymers, decreasing the waste or energy used in processing, catalytic depolymerization and upcycling, polymers and composites from natural products or waste, plastics with a closed-loop life cycle, self-healing materials, vitrimers, and other unique solutions for creating environmentally friendly materials.

WCC Celebrates Chemistry Beyond the Binary

Sponsored by: WCC
PMSE
Oral Presentations from Submissions

Organizers
[E-Mail]
Madalyn Radlauer, San Jose State University
Bee Kelley, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

This symposium celebrates chemistry performed by LGBTQIA+ and non-binary individuals as the Women Chemists Committee works to build intentional spaces for any chemist who has faced gender discrimination. Presentations will include time for both science and a discussion of challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ and non-binary chemists. This symposium includes invited speakers and an open poster session and will be tied to the programming for the Women in the Chemical Enterprise Breakfast (ticketed event).