Polymer Molecular Characterisation (MC9)

Conveners:

Harald Pasch, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany

Taihyun Chang, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea

Programme:

Tuesday 4 August (morning and afternoon)

Keynote Speakers

Structure-property relations of complex branched polymers: starch structure and human health
Robert G Gilbert, The University of Queensland, Australia

Advanced 2D-NMR studies of fluoropolymers
Peter L Rinaldi, Univeristy of Akron, USA

Speakers

Synthesis, isolation, and characterization of stereoregular uniform block, star, and cyclic polymethacrylates
Tatsuki Kitayama, Osaka University, Japan

Strategies for studying branching and grafting in polymers produced by emulsion polymerisation
Peter A Lovell, The University of Manchester, UK

Study of molecular structure and metastability of polymers: benefits and potentials of high-speed / High Performance DSC (HPer DSC)
Vincent B F Mathot, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, The Netherlands

Determination of polymeric excipient functionality related characteristics - an aid to pharmaceutical product development
Elizabeth Meehan, AstraZeneca, UK

Controlling the mechanical properties of polymer films prepared using poly(butadiene/methacrylic acid) dispersions
Orawan Pinprayoon, The University of Manchester, UK

Microstructural studies of synthetic polymers
Gillian Hilton, University of Warwick, UK

Fractionation and characterization of macromolecules and their assemblies by analytical ultracentrifugation
Christine Wandrey, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland

Molecular orientation and phase transition behaviours of PEO in nano-cylinder as a function of thickness
Hirohisa Yoshida, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan

Symposium Information

Polymer molecular characterisation stands for the analysis at the molecular level of polymers, which include separation, spectroscopy, mass-spectrometry, scattering, etc. The molecular properties are the most fundamental information in understanding their final properties in applications. The area may be thought to be a mature field at a glance, but the demand for more precise characterization is increasing nowadays with the development of new tailored polymers by controlled polymerisation methods. 

In addition, the development of new analytical methods allows far more detailed characterization of polymers, which was impossible in the past. Therefore, the molecular characterisation is a topic to draw interest from a broad audience from the synthetic scientist to the process engineers.

In memory of Irene Schnöll-Bitai (1957-2008)

The Royal Society of Chemistry and conveners of the Polymer Molecular Characterisation symposium would like to express their deepest condolences to the family of Irene Schnöll-Bitai. Irene passed away on 4 December 2008 after suffering from a long term illness. Earlier last year, she had been confirmed as an invited speaker within the Polymer Molecular Characterisation symposium to be held at MC9 at the 42nd IUPAC Congress.

Irene Schnöll-Bitai was born on 10 September 1957 in Sydney, Australia. From 1976 until 1983 she studied chemistry and mathematics at the University of Vienna, Austria. In 2004 she was announced Associate Professor at the Institute of Physical Chemistry. Her research interests included polymerisation kinetics and the analysis of polymers. She was a member of the IUPAC Subcommittee on Modelling of Polymerization Kinetics and Processes. Irene was a strong personality, persevering her research interests despite a severe illness and will be sadly missed by her colleagues, students and fellow scientists.