KES1-1360
Perspective on Autonomous Experiment for Polymer Synthesis from the Domain Knowledge of Polyisocyanates Obtained by Living Polymerization in the AI Era
Topic
S1. Polymer Synthesis
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
14:50 - 15:15
Room 101
Session Chairs
Youn Soo KIM
Presenter(s)
Jae-Suk Lee (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
This Perspective presents advances in the synthesis of helical polymers, with a particular focus on polyisocyanates, over the past 30 years of my research career. The growing interest in helical polyisocyanates has been driven by the development of diverse synthetic strategies and by investigations into the living characteristics of polyisocyanate through kinetic studies.
Through living anionic polymerization, random, gradient, block, multiblock, and alternating polyisocyanates can be synthesized by employing monomers with different reactivities, including furfuryl, allyl, and alkyl isocyanates. Future research will focus on amphiphilic, peptide-mimicking multiblock and alternating polyisocyanates with precise sequence control, improved water solubility, and degradability, enabling applications in antifreeze, antimicrobial, and environmentally sustainable materials.
Furthermore, by integrating the accumulated knowledge from the living polymerization of polypeptides, polypeptoids, and polyisocyanates, I propose an “AI × Helical Polymer Synthesis” platform that goes beyond simple automated synthesis toward the intelligent design and predictive control of polymer structures, ultimately enabling autonomous polymer synthesis in the AI era.
Through living anionic polymerization, random, gradient, block, multiblock, and alternating polyisocyanates can be synthesized by employing monomers with different reactivities, including furfuryl, allyl, and alkyl isocyanates. Future research will focus on amphiphilic, peptide-mimicking multiblock and alternating polyisocyanates with precise sequence control, improved water solubility, and degradability, enabling applications in antifreeze, antimicrobial, and environmentally sustainable materials.
Furthermore, by integrating the accumulated knowledge from the living polymerization of polypeptides, polypeptoids, and polyisocyanates, I propose an “AI × Helical Polymer Synthesis” platform that goes beyond simple automated synthesis toward the intelligent design and predictive control of polymer structures, ultimately enabling autonomous polymer synthesis in the AI era.
