The 2011 Polymers conference will assemble an international community for the presentation of recent advances in polymer synthesis, physical characterization, and performance in several complementary emerging technologies. Polymers continue to impact a range of areas from biomedical applications (e.g. tissue regeneration, drug and gene delivery, biomedical technologies) to energy and the environment (e.g. alternate energy, sustainable resources). This conference will present recent advances in the design, synthesis, characterization and processing of multifunctional polymers, including both synthetic and biological systems. Moreover, the conference will provide mechanisms for professional networking through evening poster sessions and the participation of industrial, national laboratory, and academic scientists and engineers. The program also will ensure an integration of polymer design with recent advances in polymer characterization techniques with a focus on morphological structure and correlation of structure with properties and performance. This conference will be preceded with a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), which will allow our future scientific leaders to network and meet our current leaders in both academia and industry. Outstanding lectures and posters from the GRS will be identified and highlighted at the GRC conference.