BioPACIFIC MIP has selected eight projects for the CAPS Fellowships, which utilize high-throughput automation for advancements in polymer science. The awarded researchers will optimize materials and processes through training and access to cutting-edge technology. Each fellowship provides up to $10,000 for research at UC Santa Barbara and UCLA.

Professor Craig Hawker from BioPACIFIC MIP has been awarded the 2025 Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award, recognizing his leadership in polymer science. The award is given biennially at the ACS meeting, and a symposium in his honor will take place at the Fall 2025 ACS National Meeting.

The scientific focus of the MIP program is subject to change from competition to competition. Information about the existing MIPs, from two previous competitions in 2015 and 2019, can be found at mip.org. The third MIP competition, in 2025, will accept proposals on alloys, amorphous, and composite materials.

Penn State researchers received a $3 million DARPA grant to integrate gallium nitride with silicon for more efficient microelectronics. This hybrid approach aims to improve performance in power-intensive applications while reducing costs. The project's innovation in using 2D materials as seed layers could revolutionize semiconductor integration and energy efficiency.

Imagine charging your smartphone once a month, having flexible video screens that you can roll up into your pocket, and sending information through an internet that uses quantum mechanics to keep your data safe. The 2DCC MIP is working on advancing materials that can contribute to these ideas. Learn all about the platform’s ongoing research and efforts.

The BioPACIFIC MIP Summer School 2024, held at UCSB and UCLA, successfully gathered 40 students and faculty from diverse backgrounds for hands-on workshops on sustainable polymers. Attendees praised the event for its informative sessions and networking opportunities. Plans for a 2025 summer school are underway, emphasizing ongoing commitment to education in sustainable materials.

A new small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) system, offering exceptional brightness and fast results, is available at UCSB and UCLA through the BioPACIFIC MIP. This adaptable instrument enables researchers to study various nanoscale structures, including biomaterials and nanostructured interfaces, enhancing capabilities beyond traditional facilities. Access is available via proposals or recharge.

The MAPS project aims to advance sustainable polymers by utilizing biological and chemical knowledge to explore bio-derived monomers. By building a comprehensive polymerizability database and seeking contributions from experts, the initiative aims to develop a machine learning algorithm for predicting suitable monomers, fostering sustainable materials innovation.

UC Santa Barbara's professors Beth Pruitt and M. Scott Shell have been named AAAS fellows, recognizing their significant contributions to biomechanics and molecular simulations. Pruitt chairs the Bioengineering Department, while Shell is vice chair of Chemical Engineering, both noted for their leadership and mentorship in engineering.

Parker Morris, a BioPACIFIC MIP fellow, received the "General Papers Presentation Award" from the ACS PMSE division for his talk on innovative pressure-sensitive adhesives at the ACS Spring Meeting 2024. This recognition highlights his research's potential impact and BioPACIFIC MIP's dedication to advancing materials science. Congratulations to Morris!