June 3, 2026 | 4:00–5:00 PM EDT (Virtual)

Plastics and synthetic polymers have transformed modern life, but most were designed with their end use in mind — not what happens to them afterward.

In this webinar, Professor Noonan explores an emerging design philosophy in polymer chemistry: building intention into molecular architecture from the start. Materials intended for short-term use are designed to break down efficiently, while those with long-term applications are engineered for durability and performance.

First, Professor Noonan will look at the science of depolymerization, examining how specially designed polymers can be chemically broken back down into their original building blocks or simpler components. He will then turn to ionic polymers — materials that conduct ions — and explains how they are being engineered as robust and functional components in next-generation electrochemical devices, including hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers at the heart of the clean energy transition.

Together, these two frontiers reveal what becomes possible when polymers are reimagined as dynamic, responsive materials.

PRESENTERS