Draft:Advanced Polymers via Macromolecular Engineering

Advanced Polymers via Macromolecular Engineering (APME) is an international conference aiming at bringing together scientists working in the broad area of polymer science in order to present latest achievements in this field.

This international polymer conference series was created at the initiative of Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra and Prof. Yusuf Yağci (1952-2023). Dr. Mishra and Prof. Yağci both served as honorary cochairmen in later series of conferences. This biennial non-profit international conference is currently being organized by different research groups around the globe. The first conferences were held in the USA (New York in 1995, Orlando in 1997, Colonial Williamsburg in 1999, Gatlinburg in 2001) followed by Montreal, Canada in 2003; Istanbul, Turkey in 2005; Miami, USA in 2007; Dresden Germany in 2009; Cappadocia Turkey in 2011; Durham, United Kingdom in 2013; Yokohama, Japan in 2015; Ghent, Belgium in 2017; and Stellenbosch, South-Africa in 2019. The 14th conference initially planned in Pisa, Italy in 2021 was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Subsequently the 14th APME conference took place in Paris, France in 2023. The next 15th APME conference has been scheduled in Sicily, Italy 2025 (information coming soon)'''. '''

1st APME conference (New York, 1995)
The inaugural APME conference was organized during June 24-28, 1995, at the Vassar College Campus, Poughkeepsie, New York by the international organizing committee cochairs: Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (USA), Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Turkey), Prof. Oskar Nuyken (Germany), and Prof. Shiro Kobayashi (Japan). Over 100 oral communications and about 50 poster presentations were delivered by polymer scientists coming from all over the world. Two main areas were selected for this first APME conference: (1) Advances in polymer synthesis – properties, applications and mechanisms; (3) Advances in polymer characterization and modelling. The conference was attended by ~250 participants from about 30 countries.

2nd APME conference (Orlando, 1997)
The second conference was held in Orlando, Florida during 19-23 April 1997 by the international organizing committee cochairs:  Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (USA), Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Turkey), Prof. Oskar Nuyken (Germany), and Prof. Shiro Kobayashi (Japan). About 150 oral presentations and 40 posters were delivered by international scientists in various topics covering almost all areas of polymer science: Advances in polymerization and processes; Molecular modelling; Networks; Blends and composites; Fluoropolymers; Supramolecular polymers; Polymer analysis and properties; Bio-related polymers; Polymers in coatings; Electronics and photonics; Star-, branched polymers; Block and graft copolymers; Iniferters/macroiniferters; Macromonomers; Photopolymerization; Functional materials and monomers.

3rd APME conference (Colonial Williamsburg, VA, USA, 1999)
The third APME conference was held at College of William & Mary in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia during July 31- August 4, 1999, by the international organizing committee cochairs:  Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (USA), Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Turkey), Prof. Oskar Nuyken (Germany), Prof. Koichi Ito (Japan), and Prof. Gary E. Wnek (USA). About 100 presentations and 40 posters were delivered by international scientists in various topics covering almost all areas of polymer science.

4th APME conference (Gatlinburg, USA, 2001)
The 4th APME conference was held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee during August 18-23, 2001, by the international organizing committee cochairs: Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (USA), Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Turkey), Prof. Oskar Nuyken (Germany), Prof. Koichi Ito (Japan), and Prof. Raphael M. Ottenbrite. Over 100 oral presentations and about 30 posters were delivered by international scientists in various topics covering almost all areas of polymer science.

5th APME conference (Montreal, Canada, 2003)
The 5th APME conference was held in Montreal, Canada during June 21-26, 2003, by the international organizing committee cochairs:  Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (USA), Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Turkey), Prof. Oskar Nuyken (Germany), Prof. Koichi Ito (Japan). About 150 Presentations and 40 posters were delivered by international scientists in various topics covering almost all areas of polymer science.

6th APME conference (Istanbul, Turkey, 2005)
The 6th APME conference was organized by Prof. Yusuf Yağci and took place at the Istanbul Technical University on August 15-18, 2005. The conference was cochaired by Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Co-chairman), Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (Co-chairman). Covered topics included: Macromolecular design and applications; Macromolecular architecture; Functional polymers; Bio-related and medical polymers; Polymer blends and composites; Structure and properties of polymers; Advanced in polymer characterization and modeling of polymers.

7th APME conference (Miami, USA, 2007)
The 7th APME conference was held in Miami, Florida during December 15-20, 2007. The conference was organized and cochaired by Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra and Prof. Yusuf Yağci.

8th APME conference (Dresden, Germany, 2009)
The 8th APME conference was held from October 4 to 7, 2009 in Dresden, Germany, and was chaired by Prof. Brigitte Voit and Prof. Hans-Juergen Adler. This 8th edition gathered ca. 215 participants from about 30 countries. Covered topics: Functional polymer architectures; Polymer-based hybrid materials; Advanced polymer and hybrid characterization.

9th APME conference (Cappadocia, Turkey, 2011)
The 9th edition was held at Dedeman Cappadocia Hotel & Convention Center, Cappadocia, Turkey from September 5th to 8th, 2011. 220 participants from over 25 countries attended the conference and delivered about 80 oral and 170 poster presentations. The conference was organized by Prof. Yusuf Yağci (Co-chairman), Dr. Munmaya K. Mishra (Co-chairman) and Dr. M. Atilla Tasdelen (General Secretary). Since the 9th edition, the conference is sponsored by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).

10th APME conference (Durham, United Kingdom, 2013)
The 10th APME conference was at Durham University, United Kingdom, from the 18 – 22 August 2013 and was hosted by the Durham Centre for Soft Matter. Covered topics: Radical polymerization, step growth polymers, functional polymers, supramolecular polymers, polymer colloids, polymers at surfaces and interfaces, polymer characterization, biomaterials and polymers for medical applications, renewable/sustainable polymers, plastic electronics, polymers for energy applications, complex macromolecular architectures, polymers and industry.

11th APME conference (Yokohama, Japan, 2015)
The 11th APME conference was organized by Prof. Takeshi Endo and was held from 18th to the 22nd of October 2015 at the Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan. Covered topics: Basic polymer synthesis system; Energy and environment related materials; Organic/inorganic hybrid materials; Soft and hard networked materials and their function; tissue engineering.

12th APME conference (Ghent, Belgium, 2017)
The 12th international symposium APME, was organized at Ghent University, from May 21st to 25th by Prof. Filip Du Prez (chair) and Prof. Richard Hoogenboom (co-chair). Non exhaustive list of covered topics: Recent Advances in macromolecular synthesis; Complex macromolecular structures; Dynamic and supramolecular polymers; Stimuli-responsive and functional polymer architectures; Self-healing and reprocessable polymer systems; Polymers at surfaces and interfaces; New industrial developments for polymeric materials; Polymers meet biology/biochemistry; Polymers from renewable resources; Polymers for energy applications. This 12th edition gathered ca. 500 participants from 39 countries.

13th APME conference (Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2019)
The 13th APME conference was organized by Prof. Bert Klumperman (chairman) and honorary co-chaired by Profs Munmaya Mishra and Yusuf Yağci, in Stellenbosch from 15-18 April 2019. 92 oral and 41 poster presentations were delivered by international scientists. This 13th edition gathered ca. 180 participants from 26 countries.

14th APME conference (Paris, France, 2023)
The 14th APME conference was held in Paris from April 23rd to April 27th, 2023. The conference was co-chaired by Dr. Bruno Ameduri, Dr. Didier Gigmes, Prof. Philippe Guégan and Dr. Nicolas Illy.

Covered topics highlighted in the book of abstracts: Recent advances in macromolecular synthesis; Complex macromolecular and supramolecular structures; Polymers at surfaces and interfaces; New industrial developments for polymeric materials; Polymers from renewable resources; Sustainable polymers; Self-assembly and interactions of polymers; Characterization of polymers; Polymer recycling.

A special session was organized at the memory of Prof. Yusuf Yağci, one of the founders of this conference series, who passed away on 30th of January 2023.

This 14th edition brought together ca. 400 scientists from all around the world.

15th APME conference (Sicily, Italy, 2025)
Upcoming event.