Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

In 1917, Hermann Staudinger presented his “macromolecular hypothesis” in a lecture on rubber to the Swiss Chemical Society. In 1920, he published “Über Polymerisation”, Ber. Deutsch. Chem. Ges. 1920, 53, 1073. Credited with the term “macromolecules”, he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1953.
It is difficult to imagine that 100 years ago the concept of long-chain, covalently linked macromolecules was controversial. Today polymer materials are ubiquitous in daily life, from adhesives and fibers to coatings, packaging, and robust plastics. Polymers form the backbone of the US chemical industry and are a vibrant area of research in academe and national labs. At this meeting, we celebrate the preceding century of advances in macromolecular chemistry and take a look at the challenges and opportunities before us.
Symposia Highlights
Below are the symposia currently under development. PLEASE CONTACT US with new ideas or if you want to collaborate with any of the symposia listed.
Symposium Lead (Cosponsors) | Title |
MPPG |
Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century Opening Session |
POLY | Macromolecular Science at the Dawn of its Second Century |
COLL |
Self-assembly in Polymer Systems |
COMP | Polysaccharides: The Smart Materials for the New Millennium |
HIST |
History of Polymer Science |
CELL |
Historical Perspectives on Cellulose and Other Renewable Materials |
CATL | Catalytic Conversion of Polymers: Upcycling to Useful Chemicals, Fuels, and Materials |
CHED | Advancing Green and Sustainable Chemistry Education: Small Molecules to Macromolecules |
POLY | 100 Years of Polymer Structures: Active Materials for Thin Films and Interfaces |
BIOL | Exploring the Origins of RNA, Polypeptides and Polysaccharides |
Funding Opportunities for Technical Sessions
ACS is pleased to offer funds to support collaborative programming at the national meetings. Technical divisions and programming committees are encouraged to apply. The symposia must be aligned with the national meeting theme and have at least one cooperative cosponsor. Funding is based on the size and duration of each theme-related, cooperatively cosponsored symposium.
The following are provided as examples for planning:
- $500 per half-day session
- $1,000 per full-day symposium
- $2,000 per multi-day symposium
Funds will be paid to the programming group within 30 days following the meeting or credited to the programming group's national meeting bill. Please contact mppg@acs.org for more information.
Spring 2020 Macromolecular Chemistry Theme Organizers:
Kavli Award Nominations
Nominations for both the Spring and Fall 2020 Kavli Foundation Emerging Leader in Chemistry lecture awards are now open!
Deadline:
Sunday, December 15, 2019