Recent advances in polymer science and materials engineering have led to the development of high-performance and multifunctional polymeric materials for a wide range of emerging applications. From molecular design and synthesis to structure–property relationships, interface control, and processing, polymeric materials continue to play an essential role in addressing technological and environmental challenges.

This special session, sponsored by the Toray Science Foundation, aims to bring together leading researchers from academia to discuss recent advances in the fundamental science, design, characterization, and applications of advanced polymeric materials. The session will feature invited presentations covering a broad range of topics in polymer science and engineering, highlighting new concepts and emerging opportunities in functional and sustainable polymeric materials.