The objective of this symposium is to bring together experts in the field of polyelectrolyte complexes and those specializing in the field of polyelectrolyte multilayers . These fields have significant conceptual overlap but are not often considered together. Their similarity is that they both center around noncovalent interactions between charged polymers. The goal of the symposium on these overlapping fields is to generate new ideas and to stimulate new dialogues about polyelectrolyte theory, processing and applications. The multiple sessions of the symposium will cover a broad range of topics which include: Solution behavior of polyelectrolyte complexes, nanoparticles from these complexes, complexation of biological molecules, assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers , transport and conduction through polyelectrolyte multilayers and complexes, swichable and responsive polyelectrolyte and layer by layer complexes, drug delivery, and new characterization techniques. Sessions will start with an invited speaker and continue with talks selected from submitted abstracts. The request for funding is towards the travel costs of participants. The symposium, "Polyelectrolyte Complexes and Mutilayers", will be held as part of the ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry program at the 242nd ACS meeting in Denver CO Aug.28th- Sept.1, 2011.
NON TECHNICAL
Polyelectrolytes are polymers which contain groups which dissociate in aqueous solutions making the polymers charged either positively or negatively depending on the groups. Polyelectrolyte complexes are formed by the association of oppositely charged polymers in solution, whereas polyelectrolyte multilayers are formed by the alternating adsorption of oppositely charged polymers from solution onto a substrate. The objective of this symposium is to bring together experts in the field of polyelectrolyte complexes and those specializing in the field of polyelectrolyte multilayers, which share overlapping conceptual underpinnings, but are not often considered together. The multiple sessions of the symposium will cover the fundamentals of these materials and their wide ranging applications which include the fields of energy generation (e.g. fuel cells), bio-inspired materials, and drug delivery. The request for funding is towards the travel costs of participants. The symposium, "Polyelectrolyte Complexes and Mutilayers", will be held as part of the ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry program at the 242nd ACS meeting in Denver CO Aug.28th- Sept.1, 2011.
The Symposium on "Polyelectrolyte Complexes and Multilayers" for the Fall American Chemical Society Meeting in Denver, CO was held through the ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, August 28th to September 1st, 2011 with travel support for participants provided by the National Science Foundation. The objective of the symposium was to intersect the fields of polyelectrolyte complexes and polyelectrolyte multilayers. These two fields have significant conceptual overlap, but in practice do not often meet together. The fields are similar in that they center around noncovalent interactions between charged polymers. Applications span from membranes for separations and energy to bio-inspired materials and drug delivery vehicles. The intellectual merit of this activity was the meeting of two overlapping fields to generate new ideas and the stimulation of new dialogues about polyelectrolyte theory, processing, and application. The broader impact of this activity was that the global polyelectrolyte complex and polyelectrolyte multilayer communities had a unique opportunity to interact and that participants in all stages of their career and of diverse backgrounds were encouraged to participate. The response to the request for abstracts was extremely positive. The symposium received over 59 abstracts, resulting in 55 oral and 4 poster presentations given over a 5-day period. Of the total number of presentations, 34% were given by women, 64% were given by students, and 20% were given by participants from non-U.S institutions. The sessions were organized into several broad topics such as Biological Applications, Responsive and Adaptive Polyelectrolyte Complexes and Multilayers, Emerging Applications and Advances in Technology, New and Emerging Phenomena, Manipulating Polyelectrolyte Interactions, and Fundamentals of Noncovalent Interactions in Polyelectrolytes. The sessions were deliberately organized to mix talks highlighting both complexes and multilayers. The average attendance was about 60 people for the first four days and about 40 people for the last day. At times, the session was standing room only. Funds were used to support travel expenses for invited speakers, session chairs, and student travel stipends. Two student travel stipends were given.
