Trends in polymer chemistry 1998

The research field of “Macromolecular chemistry” has changed considerably during the last 10 years. There has been unexpected break throughs in the area of bulk polymers despite the fact that research in this area could have been considered to be complete. The metallocene catalysts open up the synthesis of new polymer combinations with completely new structures. Their potential has not yet been exhausted. The trend toward building polymeric structures with small dimensions and to nanotechnology is decisive. Many workgroups within germany and abroad have been working on nano-particles and layers and with reactions at interfaces with respect to their technological and biochemical application. Evidently this trend has been promoted though the foundation of competence centers of nanotechnology. The following report for the year 1998 gives some information on these developments without claiming to be complete.