Japan-United States Symposium: Polymer Synthesis for a Sustainable Future
Abstract
The Japan-United States Symposium on Polymer Synthesis for a Sustainable Future brought together thirty-five speakers from both the United States and Japan to collaborate and advance working knowledge of polymer research. Many more people attended from academia, industry and the United States government and the United States department of defense. The meeting brought together renown scientists from the US and Japan and covered new and exciting research at the cutting edge of polymer science, and the latest exciting results in polymer chemistry were discussed that will move the field forward to move directions of importance to the US society. Experts from the field of polymer science and research presented their current research and findings, and the discussion leaders facilitated open dialogue to advance the scientific impact of polymer synthesis and its ability to provide a more sustainable future. The overarching theme of the meeting was the synthesis of polymers for a sustainable future. There is an immediate and constantly growing need for research related to understanding polymer chemistry (plastics) from molecules to nano and macroscopic scale assembly in relation to chemical and structural parameters. New synthetic methods that precisely control the functionality, molecular weight, and assembly of polymers were discussed. Applications in sensing, responsive polymers, energy, enzyme stabilization and other topics important to the United States Army and society as a whole were covered. The meeting was held in a remote location in Hokkaido, Japan and the venue was very suitable to concentrate on the scientific pursuit of the meeting. Further, the remote location facilitated interactions between scientists of both countries. The symposium fostered rigorous discussion and served as a forum to initiate collaboration between researchers working in these fields. The international nature of the event allowed for scientists from both countries to share knowledge and further the field as a whole. Each scientist presented a thirty minute talk on their specific research and the US and Japanese speakers alternated throughout the symposium. Each morning and afternoon presentation session were scheduled with breaks and free time to ask specific questions of each presenter, and time to have a dialogue about each person s specific expertise. In addition, younger faculty from both countries spoke. Thus, the meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for new faculty to make connections and interact with senior researchers in the field. This facilitated strong connections and initiated mentorship with these younger scientists that will be sure to help their careers for many years to come. To summarize, funding of the Japan-United States Symposium on Polymer Synthesis for a Sustainable Future reached the following exciting objectives. (a) The meeting enabled rigorous discussion on structure-property relationships and applications important to the US Army and society as a whole. (b) Half the speakers were from the US and half were from Japan providing invaluable connections for US participants with speakers from a different country and culture, allowing for the establishment of important collaborations in and between countries. (c) This was a great venue for facilitate strong connections between new and established faculty and mentorship with long-lasting positive outcomes for the younger facultyÕs careers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1610350
Entities
People
- Heather Maynard
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of California, Los Angeles