Reconnecting the World of Polymer Science.

The 17th Pacific Polymer Conference (PPC 17) brought together over 600 polymer scientists from 25 countries in Brisbane, fulfilling the vision of fostering collaboration among polymer scientists across the Pacific and beyond. The conference provided a platform for early-career researchers to engage with the community, present their ideas, and gain valuable feedback. Research presented at PPC 17 showcased advancements in polymer science, including the rational design of hierarchical polymer nanostructures, accessible synthesis of ethylene glycol-based squaramide-containing copolymers, and the fabrication of polymer microarrays based on supramolecular ureido-pyrimidinone. Additionally, the conference highlighted the importance of sustainability assessments in the plastics sector and the potential of liquid crystal templates for fabricating orientation-controlled polymeric fibers. [Extracted from the article]