| POLYMERS Vol.59 No.1 |
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COVER STORY
Twenty Years of “Growing Polymer”:How have Young Talents been doing |
| New Year’s Message from the SPSJ President |
| SPSJ for the Members and the Society | Mitsuo SAWAMOTO |
| <Abstract>A Happy New Year to All Our SPSJ Members! This issue celebrates already the second New Year since the 29th term of our society has started with four manifesto targets: “SPSJ for members, for industry–academia collaboration, for the world, and for the future”. The last two years witnessed unprecedented fast changes in the world society and economy, and SPSJ was not immune to these. As President I believe that, while overcoming such a crisis, SPSJ is making steady and healthy progresses supported by the members’ enthusiasm: The four annual meetings rich in new activities and attendance; Polymer Journal now renewed and being published jointly with Nature Publishing Group; the organ Kobunshi further attractive; and active commitments to industry–academia collaboration and international polymer federations implemented. These two years may also be remembered as a period where complex global challenges, including environment, energy, resources, and sustainability, have unequivocally been recognized, and thereby the mission of a scientific society like SPSJ has been expanded from the traditional contribution to fundamental and applied science to “science for the world society”. From its foundation, polymer science is per se interdisciplinary and integrative of different disciplines, and recognizing this unique nature, we SPSJ would like to proceed further to contribute to the global challenges via collaboration with related scientific and international societies beyond the traditional boundary of polymer science. These efforts will, in turn, help SPSJ be a society that the members find attractive and proud of. In short, SPSJ would be a powerful “catalyst” that actively catalyzes the members’ activities and solving the imminent global challenges. All the SPSJ members, your active cooperation and commitment will be welcome and appreciated. |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Chemistry and Smell | Takashi UEMURA |
| <Abstract>This personal account reviews my research life and valuable experience from the viewpoints of chemistry and smell. |
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| Research Aspiration Pursuit of Polymer Synthetic Chemist | Hiroshi NAKADE |
| <Abstract>My scientific aspiration encompasses directions and whereabouts of my research career, providing an academic voyage to US for a PhD degree. A five years process imparted me with knowledge of polymer synthetic arts, and ability to think rationally and logically. |
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| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| “Growing Polymer” was Launching Pad | Toshinori SATO |
| <Abstract>Twenty years are gone after writing “growing polymer” on 1991. Though I
worked for Kyoto University, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Keio University
in these 20 years, I continue my interest in the relationship between cells
and glycans in the fields of biopolymers and medical polymers. Especially,
I aimed to improve the investigations on delivery systems of DNAs and proteins
using glycans such as chitosan and lactose-modified chitosan, biomembrane
model using ganglioside-containing monolayers, peptides related with carbohydrate
recognition, and saccharide primer method. Keywords: Drug Delivery System / Glycan / Polysaccharide / Peptide / Saccharide Primer |
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| Development of Metallocene Catalysts: Aimed at Industrialization | Toshiyuki TSUTSUI |
| <Abstract>Eighteen years have passed since I contributed to “Growing Polymer” in
KOBUNSHI. My dream of those days to industrialize the technology developed
by my studies was fortunately achieved, although it was confronted with
many difficulties. I hope the readers will keep on dreaming. I believe
daring visions will be realized by perseverance. Keywords: Catalyst / Metallocene / Ethylene / α-olefin / LLDPE Polymerization / Long-Chain Branching / Gas Phase |
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| Long and Winding Road …♪ | Tomokazu IYODA |
| <Abstract> Trivial twists and turns are described in the author's research carrier
after he wrote a note in the Kobunshi twenty years ago. At that time, he
enjoyed a challenging project on fabrication and properties of composition-modulated
conducting polymer thin films with his strong yearning for semiconductor
superlattice but little scientific forecast in Kyoto. Although the first
evidence of the long-awaited quantum effect was observed, he switched his
research subject to control of electron transfer by using spacer-modulated
DSA molecules in Dr. John R. Miller's laboratory in Argonne National Laboratory.
He has not reached his desired results with a little disappointment but
enjoyed unexpected interesting finding of electron transfer equilibrium
between benzene anion radical and solvated electron. After he joined the
Photofunctional Conversion Materials project directed by Prof. K. Hashimoto
in KAST, he came back to polymer materials science in Tokyo Metropolitan
University and then Tokyo Institute of Technology. It really looks like
a phrase of the title. Keywords: Superlattice Structure / Conducting Polymer / Electron Transfer / Solvated Electron / Polymer Materials |
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| Unexpected Polymer Science | Yukio NAGASAKI |
| <Abstract>20 years ago, we found an interesting carbanion, 4-vinylbenzyllihtium as
an intermediate for versatile functional monomers. Starting from this mysterious
reaction, we have paid attention to find unexpected phenomena, which deviates
from our common sense. Methacrylatic ester possessing donating group at
β-position in the ester group increased its anionic polymerization reactivity.
Based on this reaction, we prepared the heterotelechelic and water soluble
block copolymer, acetal-PEG-b-poly[2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]
(acetal-PEG/PAMA). Highly biocompatible PEGylated gold nanoparticles are
prepared by the acetal-PEG/PAMA. Other peculiar phenomena such as (1) completely
reversible cell patterned cultivation system by the same PEG patterned
gel surface, (2) enhancement of antibody activity retaining non-biofouling
character by hybrid surface of antibody and densely packed PEG tethered
chains, etc. will be also described. Keywords: Poly(ethylene glycol) / Gold Nanoparticles / ELISA / Chaperone / Patterned Cell Culture / Biointerphase |
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| Pre-Transition Phenomena in Soft Matter Physics | Masayuki IMAI |
| <Abstract>I have been investigating structural transitions of soft matter, which
includes polymers, surfactants, liquid crystals and colloids, especially
focusing on the pre-transition phenomena. A unique feature of soft matter
is an ability to form self-assemblies with meso-scopic length scale. The
self-assemblies show characteristic morphology transitions as a result
of the competition between the energetic and entropic contributions originating
from the large degrees of freedom. To understand the physics of the self-assemblies
is relevant not only for the material science of soft matter, but also
for the biological science. Keywords: Soft Matter Physics / Pre-Transition / Polymer Crystallization / Neutron Scattering / Order-Order Transition / Amphiphilic Molecule / Bio-membrane |
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| Standing at the Crossroads of My Research Life: Past, Present and Future | Eiji YASHIMA |
| <Abstract>Looking back at my research life in polymer chemistry during 15 years,
this essay traces my “development and growth” through reminiscences, and
presents a possible shape of my future. Keywords: Growing / Reminiscences / Friendship / Motto / Roller-Coaster Research Life |
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| My Way to Change Project | Tsutomu YOKOZAWA |
| <Abstract>Since our report on the polymerization of cyclobutane derivatives in Growing
Polymer, we have successively conducted projects on Simultaneous construction
of polymer backbone and side chain, Chain-growth condensation polymerization,
and Catalyst-transfer condensation polymerization. In the early stage of
these projects, we prepared new monomers to demonstrate a new concept,
then we found later that even the reported monomers have latent ability
to make new concept possible. Keywords: Polycondensation / Living Polymerization / Chain-Growth Condensation Polymerization / Polyamide / Catalyst Transfer / π-Conjugated Polymer |
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| Imagination and Creativity | Izumi ICHINOSE |
| <Abstract>It seems to be important for polymer scientists to be imaginative and familiar
with solution chemistry. When I was a university student, I studied coordination
chemistry and colloid chemistry. Then it was easy to imagine the molecules
and ions dissolved in water. However, I have now realized that aqueous
solution chemistry is really complex and filled with wonders. Polymers
are even more complex. Innovative polymer research requires the most prolific
imagination. Keywords: Imagination / Solution Chemistry / Creativity / Innovative Polymer |
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| Ultimate Dream for Precision Polymerization | Masami KAMIGAITO |
| <Abstract>This article first describes my influential experiences in the discovery
and development of transition metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization
and the synthesis of novel titanium complexes for coordination copolymerizations
during a one-year stay in the United States. A further evolution to work
on stereospecific living radical polymerization was triggered by a transfer
of the working place. It finally describes my ultimate dreams for precision
polymerization such as synthesis of sequence-regulated polymers and novel
polymeric materials from plant-derived monomers. Keywords: Living Polymerization / Radical Polymerization / Coordination Polymerization / Transition Metal Complex / Stereospecific Polymerization / Sequence-Regulated Polymer / Plant-Derived Monomer / Precision Polymerization |
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| New Materials for a Comfortable Life | Ikuko TOKI |
| <Abstract>To celebrate the 20th anniversary for “Polymer Science and I: A personal
Account”, I would like to introduce my experience since I wrote an article
for the column. Keywords: Amphiphilic Copolymers / Rheological Properties / Physical Cross-Link Gel / Surface Modification |
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| Restructuring of Polymer Surface and Myself in Response to the Environmental Change | Kazuhisa SENSHU |
| <Abstract>In 1996, I had been investigating the surface restructuring of polymers
by using transmission electron microscopic observation. Currently, I am
in charge of the management for clinical trials of newly developed medical
devices in Europe. Though my tasks have drastically changed during the
past 15 years, polymer science always supported and helped my job from
far or from near. In retrospect I found that I am myself able to restructure
in response to the environmental change much like polymer surfaces. Keywords: Polymer Surface / Medical Device / Clinical Trial |
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| My World with Hydrogels | Jian Ping GONG |
| <Abstract>By recalling her experience with the research on hydrogels for the past
20 years, the author reveals a marvelous world of hydrogels in this short
article. Keywords: Hydrogel / Low Friction / Double Network Gel / Toughness/ Artificial Cartilage |
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| Application of the Surface Plasmon Resonance Enhanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Fluorescence Imaging | Keiko TAWA |
| <Abstract>Since I studied the kinetics for DNA-DNA hybridization and its dissociation
processes by the surface plasmon resonance-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy
(SPFS) at Prof. Knoll's lab of Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research
in Mainz, Germany, I investigated various interactions at bio-interfaces
by SPFS. Applying the grating- coupled SPFS to the fluorescence microscopic
imaging, antigen-antibody interactions are sensitively detected on the
biochips with a grating structure fabricated. Keywords: Surface Plasmon Resonance / Fluorescence / Imaging / Biochip / Microscopy / Grating |
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| Science and Morality | Koichi HATADA |
| <Abstract>The basic powers of science and morality are supported by imaginative powers.
Scientists are individuals blessed with a wealth of imagination. So they
can prove themselves exemplary individuals capable of not only unleashing
superb creativity but also possessing high moral ability, only if they
have a proper criterion for judging the difference between good and evil.
The imaginative powers of individuals are fostered in their childhood and
depend strongly on the cultural environments of their schools, local communities
and homes. A criterion for making a moral judgment should be personal but
related to produce happiness for people. Keywords: Imaginative Power / Creative Power / Moral Ability / Criterion for Fair Judgment / Positive and Negative Side of Science / Housing Education / Culture and Tradition / Professional Ethics |
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| Expectations for Paradigm Shift in Polymer Science and Technology | Yoshio OKAMOTO |
| <Abstract>It was about half a century ago that the author was interested in the study
of polymer science. It was the sudden rise period of petrochemical industries,
and several universities established a department of polymer science. Because
polymer science and industry seemed to be very attractive and promising,
I decided to major in this field. Since then, I have been mainly concerned
with studies on the synthesis and functions of various polymers, and here
I want to survey the future of polymer science on the basis of this experience. Keywords: Change in Number of Members / Oil Shock / Enantiomer-Selective Polymerization / Sparteine / Propylene Oxide / Future Prospects of Polymer Science |
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