“The paper summarizes recent progress in macromolecular engineering, focusing on how the emergence of controlled polymerization processes has expanded the ability to design and construct materials at the molecular level.”

Macromolecular engineering is a dynamically developing area of research. It encompasses synthesis, processing, and material characterization, in order to reach targeted properties.

The paper summarizes recent progress in macromolecular engineering, focusing on how the emergence of controlled polymerization processes has expanded the ability to design and construct materials at the molecular level.

Rational design and precise synthesis of polymers with controlled architecture (chain topology and microstructure) provide access to new nano-structured functional materials that can find applications in the area of biomaterials, optoelectronics, and other advanced technologies.

We are mainly involved in controlled/living radical polymerization (CRP), especially in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) which is a simple robust process to construct molecules. We collaborate with other research groups on polymer characterization and processing.

There are many mechanistic and synthetic features of CRP to be explored. In ATRP more efficient and more selective catalytic and initiating systems are being developed that can be used in existing industrial scale equipment. They give access to new materials with complex architecture targeting specific applications.

ATRP and other CRP processes are being currently commercialized and have already brought new products to the market. The hope/expectation is that it will allow preparation of materials that accomplish their task more efficiently and therefore with lower environmental cost.