Mission and challenges of polymer science and
technology*
R. Stepto 1,
K. Horie 2, T. Kitayama 3, and A. Abe 4,
1Polymer Science and Technology Group, Manchester
Materials Science Centre, UMIST and University of Manchester, Grosvenor
Street, Manchester, M1 7HS, UK; 2 Department of Organic and Polymer
Materials Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture
and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan;
3 Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka
University, Toyonaka , Osaka 560-8531, Japan; 4 Department of Industrial
Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Polytechnics, 1583 Iiyama, Atsugi-shi
243-0297, Japan
Abstract: Following the first IUPAC Polymer Conference on the
Mission and Challenges of Polymer Science and Technology (IUPAC PC2002),
this article highlights and summarizes the historical development of
polymer science and technology and the recent advances that have occurred
and are occurring in the subject. It highlights the mission and challenges
for the future, particularly as reflected in the papers presented at
the conference and in the con- ference�s concluding panel discussion.
The important role of IUPAC in defining and leading developments in
polymer science and technology is also described. The central role of
polymer science and technology and its close interactions with chemical,
physical, and biological sciences are defined and discussed. The 21st
century is shown to be the Age of Polymers.
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*Keynote article based on papers and the panel discussion
at the IUPAC Polymer Conference on the Mission and Challenges of Polymer
Science and Technology (IUPAC PC2002), Kyoto, Japan, 2-5 December 2002.
Plenary lectures from the conference are also published in this issue,
pp. 1359-1402.