Contemporary Topics in Polymer Science

The Ninth Biennial Polymer Symposium, sponsored by the Division of Polymer Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, was convened during November 18-22, 1978 at Key Biscayne, Florida. The symposium also marks the occasion when the Second Division of Polymer Chemistry Award was presented to Professor C. S. Marvel for his outstanding achievements in polymer chemistry. The proceedings of this Symposium are recorded in this volume. Carl Shipp Marvel, more popularly known as Speed Marvel, was born in Waynesville, Illinois in 1894. He received his A.B. and M.S. degrees at Illinois Wesleyan University, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Illinois. After having completed his graduate education, Professor Harvel remained at the University as a member of the Chem­ istry faculty. He "retired" from Illinois in 1961, and moved to the University of Arizona where he continued his research in polymer chemistry. Out of the more than 500 publications, over 100 were from Arizona during his active retirement. Speed has so far trained 176 Ph.D. students and 128 postdoctoral fellows, and inspired countless young chemists to the science of macromolecules. No doubt these numbers will increase along with his scientific productivity. Professor Harvel has been honored on numerous ocasions prior to receiving the Division of Polymer Chemistry Award.