PMSE 2001 Fall Meeting Preface

I am very pleased to present the proceedings for the Fall 2001 meeting of the ACS Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE). The preprints of papers to be presented as oral and poster sessions during the Chicago, Illinois meeting are contained in these proceedings. The proceedings also provide information on future meetings and proposed symposia, awards and grants sponsored by PMSE, membership information and PMSE committee structure. The PMSE program for this ACS Meeting is comprised of 15 Symposia, 7 of which are cosponsored with other ACS Divisions and the Macromolecular Secretariat. Below is a brief description of each of the PMSE sponsored symposia:

Advanced Materials for Membrane Separations. The scientific content of this symposium will focus on key areas of membrane science. Due to sustained interest there will be two sessions on gas and liquid separations. The use of molecular simulation and statistical mechanics-based models to describe sorption, diffusion and permeation of small molecules in polymers will be discussed. A session on one of the most popular topics for materials science studies in membranes today is related to preparation of polymer/inorganic hybrid materials or wholly inorganic membranes. The other sessions are: Membranes for Bioseparations, Novel Membrane Processes and Membrane Modification.

Scattering From Polymers. The symposium will cover all areas of scattering from polymers, including the use of X-rays, neutrons, and visible light. Special sessions are planned in biopolymers, dynamics, nanotechnology, semicrystalline polymers, blends, and block co-polymers. A special reception and poster session, high-lighting national and international scattering facilities, are scheduled.

Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces in Coatings. The Symposium on Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces in Coatings will gather leading scientists from around the world dealing with modification, characterization and synthesis of polymeric materials for various coatings applications. While the main focus of the symposia are polymeric surfaces and interfaces created from colloidal emulsions, crosslinking induced by UV radiation and microwave plasma, other topics will include nanocoatings, coatings for biotechnology, as well as certain novel of molecular level interactions and design.

Recent Advances in Rheology and Morphology of Polymers. The intent of this session is to bring together the latest developments in the area of rheology and morphology development in polymers. The emphasis in on melt processable blends but other significant polymer blend research is welcome. It is also important that the presented research at least present a preliminary discussion on some of the theoretical aspects of polymer rheology-morphology developments.

Water-Borne Coatings. Two sessions will be devoted to dispersions in aqueous systems and will include discussions on the preparation of organic polymer based layered silicates multilayer thin films, mini-emulsion latex nanocomposite, pigment dispersion; epoxycore shell dispersions, printing ink solubilization and adhesion of latex coatings through hydrophobic structures. Although not usually considered in water-borne systems, presentations on alkyd and UV curable will be presented along with a discussion of polymer clay studies and discussions related to the spray applications of water-borne systems. The third session will be devoted to recent advancements in self-assembly systems, known as associative thickeners or rheology modifiers in water-borne coatings. A keynote lecture on surfactants, important in the performance of surfactant-modified, water-soluble polymers in coatings will open this session.

Computer Modeling of Polymers. The symposium on Computer Modeling of Polymers covers all aspects of polymer modeling. Sessions include topics on order and crystallization, studies of melts and glasses, new methods, biological systems, complex fluids, surface and iInterfaces, polymer-based nanocomposites and mechanics. The symposium is co-sponsored by the PMSE, POLY and COMP Divisions of the ACS, and by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Tess Award Symposium. The Tess Award Symposium will honor Dr. Frank Jones for his outstanding contributions to coatings science. The subject of low VOC and solventless coatings will be addressed. I wish to thank and acknowledge Alec Scranton, Richard Roesler and Vladimir Tsukruk, the current Program Committee Chairs, and our Symposium Organizers for their contributions to this meetings' Program. A special thank you goes to Eileen Ernst, PMSE Administrative Assistant, for her perseverance in compiling the PMSE Preprint Proceedings.