| POLYMERS Vol.71 No.1 |
| >> Japanese | >> English |
COVER STORY
Past, Present, and Future of the “Standards” in the Field of Polymer Science |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Addition Polymerization: History and Perspective | Takashi ISHIZONE |
| <Abstract> The addition polymerization of vinyl monomers has been widely used for the synthesis of various vinyl polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), and polystyrene. The developments of stereospecific polymerization, living anionic polymerization, and various living polymerization systems using activation of the dormant species are significantly important not only for the polymer synthesis but also for the polymer science. The primary structures such as molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and stereoregularity can be controlled using those addition polymerization systems, and their relations with polymer property have been clarified. This article deals with the history of addition polymerization and also introduces its present problems and possible perspectives toward the controls in the monomer sequence and in the depolymerization. Keywords: Addition Polymerization / Vinyl Monomers / Polyethylene / Polypropylene / Stereospecific Polymerization / Living Polymerization / Primary Structure / Monomer Sequence |
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| Relaxation Processes in Amorphous Polymer Solids | Keiji TANAKA |
| <Abstract> The objective of this short review is to share my opinion of how understanding of relaxation processes in amorphous polymer solids changes in the last three decades. Keywords: Physical Properties / Relaxation Processes / Segmental Motion / Glass Transition / Interfaces |
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| Trend and Future Prospective of Polycondensation | Tomoya HIGASHIHARA |
| <Abstract> In a rapidly changing industry, the way of not only the control of primary structures of polymers but also mass production of engineering plastics via environmental-friendly processes have become quite important. In this contribution, trend and future prospective of polycondensation are introduced, focusing on aramid and π-conjugated polymers. In a polycondensation process, along with the demand for super-engineering materials, the development of low-cost and environmental-friendly bulk polymerization systems and the use of biomaterials have been promoted. On the other hand, trends for the control of polycondensation seem to be shifting as follows: (1) regioselectivity / monomer sequence, (2) molecular weight / molecular weight distribution based on condensative chain polymerization, and (3) “ultra” precision molecular design of monodisperse polymers, complex multi-component branched polymers, etc. Furthermore, in the design of future cutting-edge materials, the precise design of 2D and 3D topologies of condensation polymers may possibly be a future key technology. Keywords: Polycondensation / Condensation Polymerization / Condensative Chain Polymerization / Super-Engineering Plastics / Aramid / π-Conjugated Polymer / Bulk Polymerization / Environmental-Friendly |
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| Redefinition of the Standard in Protein Science | Hideki TAGUCHI |
| <Abstract> The first standard of protein science is that proteins fold to unique tertiary structures depending on their amino acid sequences. While this standard is still the basis of protein science, in recent years, it has become clear that a non-negligible fraction of the proteins does not form specific tertiary conformation, and that their functions are regulated by liquid-liquid phase separation, depending on the situation. Keywords: Protein / Folding / Chaperone / Amyloid / AlphaFold / Intrinsically Disordered Protein (IDP) / Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS) / De Novo Protein Design |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Driving Force to Run | Takuya ISONO |
| <Abstract> I was recently appointed as an associate professor. There were many difficulties in reaching this position. However, it was each of the small joys I found in my research journey that gave me the driving force to run without stopping. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Recent Advances and Future of Polymer Science Opened up by Light and Ultrasound Scattering Techniques | Tomohisa NORISUYE |
| <Abstract> The scattering techniques using electromagnetic waves, such as visible light, X-ray and neutron played a crucial role in the field of polymer science. In this paper, the history and the future of the scattering techniques, such as light scattering and ultrasound scattering, in polymer science are briefly discussed. Keywords: Light Scattering / Ultrasound Scattering / Microparticle / Dynamics / Particle Suspension |
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