Biopolymers are naturally occurring substances or polymeric biomolecules that are synthesized by living organisms throughout their entire life cycle. Biopolymers can also be degradable, recyclable, and diverse, making them a promising material for replacing petrochemical polymers in a variety of disciplines including, energy storage and generation, nanocomposites, soil remediation, agriculture, electronics, and water purification. Furthermore, biopolymers are also non-toxic and making them suitable for a wide range of food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications. Current interest in this area has grown dramatically due to the development of advanced synthesis techniques which are at once sustainable, and economically competitive with the petrochemical industry. These techniques, are carbon neutral, and in some cases able to sequester carbon dioxide, operate on renewable energy sources, and produce industrial quantities of polymers. For example, enzymatic biosynthesis in combination with genetic engineering has enabled in controlled in vitro synthesis and design of polymers with unique functionalities, while increased understanding of bacterial metabolic pathways has enabled the design of bioreactors with higher capacities and efficiency. This symposium would like to explore the developments in this area, with emphasis on synthesis, application, and modeling and their broader implications on addressing climate change and environmental conservation. In addition the symposium aims to foster dialogue between industry and academia in furthering research and innovation in these areas, as well as introducing students to emerging career opportunities.

biological synthesis (assembly) biomimetic (assembly) self-assembly solvent casting