Integration of Fundamental Polymer Science and Technology―2

Polymer science has matured into a fully accepted branch of materials science. This means that it can be described as a 'chain of knowledge' (Manfred Gordon), the beads of the chain representing all the topics that have to be studied in depth if the relationship between the structure of the molecules synthesized and the end-use properties of the material they constitute is to be understood. The term chain indicates the connectivity of the beads, i.e. the multidisciplinary approach required to achieve the aim, knowledge, here defined as quantitative understanding of the relationship mentioned above in all its parts. Quite a few conferences are being held at which the disciplinar beads themselves are discussed in detail, and new results within their framework are presented. In this respect, the TUPAC Microsymposia in Prague have made themselves indispensable, to mention one successful example. The bi annual TUPAC Symposia on Macromolecules, on the other hand, supply interdisciplinary meeting places, which have the advantage and the disadvantage of a large attendance. Smaller-size conferences of a similar nature can often be found on a national level. The organizers of the young, but already well-appreciated, Rolduc Meetings on the interplay between fundamental science and technology in the polymer field struck an interesting chord' when they realized that focussing on the basic science behind technological problems would serve the purpose of concentration on insight along the chain of knowledge and avoid the surrender to too large a size for the meeting to really be a meeting.