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The recipient of the 2005 Carl S. Marvel Creative Polymer Chemistry Award is Dr. Timothy M. Swager. He is Professor of Chemistry and Associate Director of the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Swager is recognized for his research and leadership in several fields of polymer chemistry. He has conducted pioneering work in ring opening metathesis polymerization, and has made key contributions to the understanding of both conducting and semiconducting polymers.

His work on TNT detection is highly noteworthy because of its importance not only as a contribution to science and technology but also as an outstanding humanitarian contribution. His sensor science is playing an important role in mine detection and in the detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This technology is based on his development of conjugated polymer sensory transduction schemes that translate molecular recognition events into readily measured signals. The cooperative nature of these materials produces enormous enhancements in observable signals relative to their monomeric analogs.

Tim has developed novel methods for the formation of ladder polymers including all-aromatic graphite ribbon structures and supramolecular polyrotaxanses. He has addressed fundamental problems in electronic polymers by using novel chemical structures and a diverse array of analytical methods.

Dr. Swager received his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in 1988 and has over 150 articles, 15 patents, and serves on numerous editorial boards and scientific advisory boards. He has won a number of awards including the ACS Cope Scholar Award (2000), the Union Carbide Innovation Recognition Award (1998) and the Karapetoff Award (MIT, 2000).Ê

The Carl S. Marvel Creative Polymer Chemistry Award was established in 1980 and is sponsored and administered by the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry. The purpose of the award is to recognize and encourage accomplishments and/or innovation of unusual merit in the field of basic or applied polymer science by younger scientists. The award consists of a plaque and an honorarium of $2000. The award is usually presented biennially in odd-numbered years at the Spring meeting of the Polymer Chemistry Division. The recipient is expected to present an address at a symposium organized in his/her honor. Travel expenses to the symposium are paid in addition to the honorarium. The award symposium will be held at the Spring 2005 national meeting of the American Chemical Society.