BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//SVACS - ECPv6.15.1.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for SVACS
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260518T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260518T190000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260508T144054Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T150600Z
UID:22708-1779127200-1779130800@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:Uncommon Material Combinations & Processing Methods for Improved Performance & New Applications of Common Polymers
DESCRIPTION:Prof. Gary E. Wnek\, Case Western Reserve University\nSponsored by Golden Gate Polymer Forum\nMay 18\, 6:00-7:00 pm\, Online\, $0/$5 Donation\, Register by May 17th at 1:00 pm\n\nAbstract\nThere is a significant need to add value to existing high-volume polymeric materials\, from commodity polyolefins through engineering plastics and elastomers. Of particular interest are approaches that are scalable\, scrapless\, and solvent-free. We will discuss two initiatives that attempt to address these important needs: (1) cold-rolling\, well-known in the ductile metals industry but less appreciated for the processing of semi-crystalline plastics\, and (2) fiber production via a unique variant of multi-layer co-extrusion. Cold-rolling has been shown to increase the toughness of the engineering thermoplastic poly(p-phenylene sulfide) and the biodegradable polyester poly(l-lactic acid) without the aid of toughening agents\, and is being explored to improve the mechanical properties of otherwise incompatible polymer blends such as HDPE/PP. Fiber fabrication of incompatible HDPE/PP blends via co-extrusion has been studied\, and mechanical properties of blended fibers with those of pure components will be compared. Advantages of both approaches will be discussed. Also\, attention has been directed toward application of unvulcanized rubbers\, with confinement in layers with thermoplastic elastomers obviating the need for vulcanization. Applications in the area of impact-damping will be discussed. \nSpeaker Background\nGary Wnek is Joseph F. Toot\, Jr.\, Professor of Engineering and Professor and Chair of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.  Gary’s research interests include fibrous polymers and gels for applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine\, synthetic macromolecular constructs that mimic physiological functions\, adding value to common polymers using uncommon processing approaches\, and flammability mitigation of common polymers. He has authored or co-authored over 215 publications and holds 39 US patents.  Gary earned his Ph.D. In Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts\, Amherst\, and his B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2024.
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/uncommon-material-combinations-processing-methods-for-improved-performance-new-applications-of-common-polymers/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Golden-Gate-Polymer-Forum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260603T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260603T103000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260508T210303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T210523Z
UID:22740-1780477200-1780482600@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:Emerging Medicinal Chemistry Approaches to Targeting Disease Pathways
DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by ACS Publications\nJune 3\, 9:00-10:30 am\, Online\, Free\, Registration required \nThis session spotlights cutting edge medicinal chemistry strategies that are reshaping how we understand and target complex disease pathways. Featuring winners of the 2026 Philip S. Portoghese Early Career Award for the Advancement of Medicinal Chemistry\, it will shine light on the dark kinome and explore how proximity inducing chemical approaches are unlocking new ways to modulate protein function and open the door to transformative therapeutic possibilities.
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/emerging-medicinal-chemistry-approaches-to-targeting-disease-pathways/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Emerging-MedChem-Approaches-to-Targeting-Disease-Pathways-e1778274117697.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260608T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260608T190000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260514T185859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T191937Z
UID:22751-1780938000-1780945200@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:Reprogramming How We Interface with the Human Body:                           High-Resolution 3D Printing Can Make the Unmakeable
DESCRIPTION:Prof. Joseph M. DeSimone\, Departments of Radiology and Chemical Engineering\, Stanford University\nThe seminar on Monday\, June 8\, starts at 6:00 PM Pacific time.\nAn in-person networking hour on the Stanford campus precedes the live presentation from 5:00 – 6:00 PM.\nRegistration required for campus location or for Zoom link.  Registration deadline: Sunday\, June 7\, 1:00 PM. \n\nAbstract\nThroughout my career\, I’ve been guided by the belief that transformative advances in medicine don’t arise solely from new molecules\, but equally from rethinking how those molecules are formulated and delivered to the body. This mindset has led to a series of unconventional dosage and delivery innovations—from biodegradable drug-eluting stents (BVS\, Inc.\, acquired by Guidant and now part of Abbott; co-founded with Bob Langer)\, to precisely engineered microparticles for inhalation (Liquidia Technologies; NASDAQ: LQDA)\, to iontophoretic platforms for localized chemotherapy (Focal Medical; IND approved by the FDA\, with patients treated beginning March 2026)—each opening new therapeutic frontiers. \nToday\, advances in high-resolution 3D printing are enabling a new chapter in this journey: the ability to engineer the skin as a programmable biological interface. Using microscale additive manufacturing\, we can create intradermal delivery systems that precisely control where and how therapeutics are introduced\, while simultaneously enabling access to rich biological information through interstitial fluid. \nThis bi-directional paradigm—delivering therapies while sampling biology—opens a fundamentally new approach to medicine. By targeting the skin and its underlying lymphatic network\, we can more effectively engage the immune system\, access early disease signals\, and move beyond traditional blood-based diagnostics toward continuous\, minimally invasive liquid biopsy. \nImportantly\, this is not simply a new device or formulation—it represents a scalable platform. Rather than building a traditional therapeutic pipeline molecule by molecule\, these technologies enable a delivery-centric model that can be applied broadly across vaccines\, biologics\, and diagnostics. \nIn this talk\, I will outline how focusing on new dosage delivery forms and new devices for liquid biopsies—now powered by high-resolution 3D printing—is redefining our interface with the human body\, transforming both how we treat disease and how we measure health. \nSpeaker Background\nJoseph M. DeSimone \nSanjiv Sam Gambhir Professor of Translational Medicine and Chemical Engineering \nDepartments of Radiology and Chemical Engineering \nDepartment of Chemistry (by Courtesy) \nDepartment of Materials Science & Engineering (by Courtesy) \nGraduate School of Business (by Courtesy) \nStanford University \nProf. DeSimone is widely known by the Bay Area polymer science community and the academic world\, and his background\, interests\, and accomplishments are extensive and wide-ranging\, and far too long to fit in this note. For further information\, please see Stanford links: \nStanford Profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/joseph-desimone \nResearch Group Website: https://desimonegroup.stanford.edu
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/reprogramming-how-we-interface-with-the-human-body-how-high-resolution-3d-printing-can-make-the-unmakeable/
LOCATION:Hybrid
CATEGORIES:Webinar,Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DeSimone_8June26_JointGGPF-SVACS_FLYER.pdf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260728T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260728T193000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260703T185835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260703T185835Z
UID:22835-1785263400-1785267000@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:2D Polymers and Polymerizations
DESCRIPTION:Prof. William Dichtel\, Northwestern University\nSponsored by Golden Gate Polymer Forum\n6:30-7:30 pm\, Online\, Free/$5 donation\, Register by July 27th at 1pm\n\nAbstract\nSynthetic chemists have developed robust methods to synthesize discrete molecules\, linear and branched polymers\, and disordered cross-linked networks. However\, two-dimensional (2D) polymers prepared from designed monomers have been long missing from these capabilities\, both as objects of chemical synthesis and in nature. Recently\, new polymerization strategies and characterization methods have enabled the unambiguous realization of 2D\, covalently linked macromolecular sheets. We have developed tools to study these polymerizations experimentally and computationally\, which has given rise to the first controlled two-dimensional polymerizations\, along with materials of improved quality.1\,2 Furthermore\, a new solid-state polymerization approach provides access to two-dimensional polymers containing mechanical bonds at each repeat unit.3\,4 These approaches and the properties of high-quality 2D polymers that are now emerging will be presented. \n(1) Natraj\, A. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022\, 144\, 19813–19824 \n(2) Kharel\, P. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025\, 147\, 11821–11828. \n(3) Bardot\, M. I. et al. Science 2025 387\, 264–269. \n(4) Bardot\, M. I. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026\, 148\, 20631–20638. \nSpeaker Background\nWilliam Dichtel received a B.S. in Chemistry from MIT and Ph.D. from UC-Berkeley under Prof. Jean M. J. Fréchet. He was a postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Fraser Stoddart at UCLA\, and Prof. James Heath at Caltech. He began his independent career at Cornell University in 2008 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014. In 2016\, he moved to Northwestern University as the Robert L. Letsinger Professor of Chemistry. His research has expanded the study of polymerization into the second and third dimensions in polymers known as covalent organic frameworks\, porous polymers for water purification\, and new approaches to polymer recycling. Dichtel has been recognized with a MacArthur Fellowship\, the Leo Hendrik Baekeland Award of the North Jersey Section of the ACS\, and as the 2020 Blavatnik National Laureate in Chemistry. \n\nDATE and Time: Tuesday\, July 28\, 6:30 PM Pacific time \n\nRegistration deadline: Monday\, July 27\, 1:00 PM. \nRegistration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/2d-polymers-and-polymerizations/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Golden-Gate-Polymer-Forum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260819T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260819T100000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260809T181252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T181305Z
UID:22890-1787130000-1787133600@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:ORCID 101: The ORCID iD and Record
DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by ORCID US Community\n9:00 am-10:00 am Online\, Free\, Registration required\n\nGetting and using your free ORCID iD and ORCID record can help you save time and get credit for your work in funding\, publishing\, and research reporting workflows. Funding organizations\, publishers\, and research institutions are increasingly requiring or asking for ORCID iDs from researchers\, so this workshop will help you make sure you are ahead of the game. In this workshop\, we will cover: – An overview of the benefits of ORCID for researchers – How ORCID can help you save time throughout the research landscape – Tips and tricks for keeping your ORCID record up-to-date No prior experience with ORCID necessary. The session recording will be sent to all who register. See you there! \n 
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/orcid-101-the-orcid-id-and-record-2/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ORCID-US-Community.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260819T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260819T190000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260809T182127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T182127Z
UID:22895-1787162400-1787166000@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:How Many Tie Chains are Needed for a Semicrystalline Polymer to be Ductile?
DESCRIPTION:Prof. Richard A. Register\, Princeton University\nSponsored by Golden Gate Polymer Forum\n6:00 pm-7:00 pm\, Online\, Free/$5 Donation\, Registration required by Aug. 18 at 1pm\n\nAbstract\nSemicrystalline polymers of low glass transition temperature\, such as polyethylene (PE) and hydrogenated polynorbornene (hPN)\, can be either brittle or ductile depending on how well stress can be transmitted between crystallites—such as via tie molecules (TMs)\, chains that directly bridge the intercrystalline amorphous layer. TM content will increase with increasing molecular weight (M)\, or with the fraction of high-M chains in a disperse polymer; it will also increase with decreasing intercrystallite repeat spacing d\, which can be manipulated through thermal history and the incorporation of comonomer.  We have examined the failure mode of model narrow-distribution linear PEs and hPNs\, where d is varied through both crystallization history (either quenching or slowly cooling) and the incorporation of short branches (at variable levels) that are unable to enter the crystals. For a given (co)polymer composition and thermal history\, a rather sharp brittle-to-ductile transition (BDT) is observed with increasing M\, at a value MBDT. However\, when looking across thermal histories and comonomer contents\, MBDT does not correspond to a particular numerical value of the tie molecule fraction (P)\, calculated by the Huang-Brown approach.  Rather\, PBDT increases strongly as crystal thickness decreases\, with both PE and hPN showing similar dependences.  We trace this unanticipated dependence to the loss of TMs during drawing\, with polymers having thinner initial crystals losing a larger fraction of their TMs. This postulate is confirmed by measurements of the post-draw strain-hardening modulus\, which reflects the content of TMs remaining after the material has necked and drawn.  Adding a short amorphous block at the chain end is also found to improve the retention of TMs.  These insights provide guidance for the molecular design of ductile and easily processible polymers (via molecular weight distribution and branch content)\, and how those desirable characteristics can be preserved through rounds of mechanical recycling. \nSpeaker Background\nRichard A. Register is currently Director of the Princeton Materials Institute and Eugene Higgins Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University.  His research interests revolve around micro- and nanostructured polymers\, such as semicrystalline polymers\, block copolymers\, polymer blends\, and ionomers\, and range across their synthesis\, physics\, properties\, applications\, and sustainability.  He served as chair of Princeton’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering from 2008-2016\, and as Director of the NSF-supported Princeton Center for Complex Materials from 2005-2008.  He received the Charles M.A. Stine Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2002\, the Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Science Distinguished Teacher Award in 2018\, its inaugural Distinguished Service Award in 2023\, and the inaugural Distinguished Faculty Service Award from Princeton in 2025. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society\, the American Chemical Society\, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/how-many-tie-chains-are-needed-for-a-semicrystalline-polymer-to-be-ductile/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Golden-Gate-Polymer-Forum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260912T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260912T123000
DTSTAMP:20260915T034527
CREATED:20260809T191300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T191300Z
UID:22931-1789209000-1789216200@www.siliconvalleyacs.org
SUMMARY:A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space\, Should We Settle Space\, and Have We Really Thought This Through?
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Kelly Weinersmith\, Adjunct Professor at Rice University\nSponsored by California ACS Women Chemists Committee and AAUW California\n10:30 am-12:30 pm\, Online\, Free\, Registration required | Download Flyer (PDF)\n\nAbstract\nEarth is not well. The promise of starting life anew somewhere far\, far away—no climate change\, no war\, no X—beckons\, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Or is it? My co-author/husband and I are sci-fi geeks who set out to write a book about the glorious future of space settlements\, but after years of research\, we aren’t so sure it’s a good idea. Space technologies and space business are progressing fast\, but we lack the knowledge needed to have space kids\, build space farms\, and create space nations in a way that doesn’t spark conflict back home. In this talk\, I’ll tackle questions like: Where are we most likely to settle? What will life in space be like? Is it safe to have babies in space? What is the future of bathrooms in space? What laws will govern humanity when we become interplanetary? Get in\, we’re going to Mars. \nSpeaker Bio\nDr. Kelly Weinersmith is an adjunct faculty member at Rice University. Her research has been featured in The Atlantic\, National Geographic\, BBC World\, Science\, Nature\, and more. Kelly co-wrote the New York Times bestsellers Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That’ll Improve And/Or Ruin Everything and A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space\, Should We Settle Space\, and Have We Really Thought This Through? In 2024\, she and her co-author/husband Zach received a Hugo Award and the Royal Society Trivedi Book Prize for A City on Mars. Kelly is also co-host of the podcast Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe. \nReservation\nPlease visit the CalACS website www.calacs.org to register for this meeting or use EventBrite. \nRSVP here! \nPlease register before Thursday\, September 10\, 2026\, 12 noon. Your email address is needed to send the Zoom link\, which will be shared with attendees on or before the day of the event via Eventbrite. \nCost\nFree! \nQuestions?\nPlease contact Elaine Yamaguchi at eyamaguchi08@gmail.com
URL:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/event/a-city-on-mars-can-we-settle-space-should-we-settle-space-and-have-we-really-thought-this-through/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.siliconvalleyacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Kelly-Weinersmith.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR