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Vol.
34 No. 2
March-April 2012
by Heikki Tenhu
The biannual 14th IUPAC International Symposium on MacroMolecular Complexes, MMC-14, took place 14–17 August 2011 at the Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. This marked the first time that a symposium of the MMC series took place in a Nordic country.
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Poster Prize winner Szymon Wiktorowicz (right) . Photo by Sami-Pekka Hirvonen. |
MMC symposia aim to promote and propagate science of polymeric and organic-inorganic hybrids at all levels. MMC brings together leading scientists and engineers to discuss the latest advances in research on complexes formed between macromolecules and other compounds such as metals, ions, nanoparticles etc. Syntheses and characterization of those materials, their physicochemical properties, functions, and application are included for discussions.
MMC-14 was dedicated to the memory of Eishun Tsuchida (1930–2010), the founder of the MMC Symposium series. Special words in memory of Tsuchida were given by Hiroyuki Nishide from Waseda University, Japan. The IUPAC Polymer Division was represented by Kalle Levon from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, USA.
The scientific program of the MMC-14 Symposium was focused on the following topics:
- Macromolecule-Metal Complexes and Capped Metal Nanoparticles
- Organic-Inorganic Hybrids
- Self-Assembly and Supramolecular Complexes
- Polyelectrolytes and Conductivity Properties
- Catalysis and Photocatalysis
- Functions and Applications (Electronic, Optical, Magnetic)
- Biological Applications
- Coordination Programming
The symposium was based on plenary and invited lectures and oral and poster presentations. There were about 167 participants including 8 plenary and 14 invited speakers, as well as 70 oral and 82 poster contributions. Over one-third of participants were women.
The MMC symposia have always provided a relaxing atmosphere for networking among those who already established in the field and newcomers. Thus, it is worth nothing that students comprised about 36 percents of participants at the symposium. To attract young scientists, the organizers and the Department of Chemistry arranged a Summer School in Polymer Chemistry, which enabled participants to meet world-known scientists to exchange experiences, make contacts, and present their results to the scientific community. The School also offered an opportunity for students from the European Union to receive additional credit units.
Three Poster Prizes sponsored by the IUPAC Polymer Division were awarded. Prize winners were selected by the International Advisory Board of MMC-14. The Prize recipients received a certificate signed by the IUPAC president, a copy of the Green Book, and a two-year subscription to Chemistry International. The following posters received the IUPAC awards:
- Anna Yurishcheva, “Formulation of Coating Iron Oxides Magnetic Nanoparticles with Humics,” Moscow Aviation Institute and the State University of Aerospace Technologies, Russia
- Szymon Wiktorowicz, “Calix[4]arenes as Templates for Novel Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Systems,” University of Helsinki, Finland
- Takuya Nakabayashi, “Electrochemical Properties in Multilayer Films of Ru/Os Dinuclear Complexes Having a Strong Metal-Metal Interaction on a Surface,” Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
A Special Diploma of Distinction was awarded by the Organizing Committee to Ludmila Bogdanova from the Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, RAS, Chernogolovka, Russia, for her excellent scientific achievements, patience, and optimism.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of MMC-14 we would like to acknowledge the assistance of all parties involved in the organization of the symposium. The conference was financially supported by the Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland, Postnova Analytics, Norlab, and TA Instruments.
Symposium Chair Heikki Tenhu <[email protected]> is head of the Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. www.helsinki.fi/polymeerikemia/MMC2011/
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last modified 5 March 2012.
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