POLYMERS Vol.59　No.1 January 2010
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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