The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports a very broad spectrum of activities on polymers, most of it through the Polymers Program in the Division of Materials Research (DMR). The DMR Polymers Program is focused on advancing fundamental research and education in polymeric materials and polymer science. The program portfolio is highly diverse and interdisciplinary with components of materials science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, and other related disciplines. Central goals include advancing the foundations of polymer science through innovative research and education and pushing back the wide horizon of the field. Polymers are studied from the molecular level through the nano-to-macro continuum using fundamental scientific approaches. Such approaches are mainly experimental but may also closely integrate theoretical, computational, or cyber aspects. Broad areas of research span the range from synthesis and self-assembly to characterization, structure, morphology, phase behavior, and properties. Particular focus is on transformative approaches to innovative materials with superior properties, on advancing polymer fundamentals and optimizing structure-property relationships, as well as on basic polymer research to address major societal challenges.This talk will address the vision, current portfolio, and priorities of the NSF Polymers Program.

Polymer research and education: A view from the NSF Polymers Program

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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