Scientific Programme

A.    Bio-synthesis of Bio-based Polymers and Monomers
This session is dedicated to the discussion of polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polyisoprenoids, elastin, polypeptides, etc., that can be synthesized from biotechnology platform directly and/or monomers such as bio-ethanol, succinic acid, 1,4-butanediol, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), itaconic acid, lignin derivatives, etc., that can be used as a building block for polymerization and are synthesized through a biological way from renewable biomass feedstocks.  The fermentation, microbial system, plant science, genetic engineering, metabolic engineering and enzyme engineering of the biosynthetic processes for production of those bio-based polymers and monomers are included.
B.    Synthesis of Bio-based Polymers via Chemical Routes
This session covers the topics related to the design, synthesis, structure analysis, and functional assays of polymers through chemical routes from bio-synthetic, bio-based or natural monomers (such as fatty acids, plant oils, amino acids, resin oils, isosorbide, citric acid, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, lignin derivatives, itaconic derivatives, and furan derivatives, etc.).
C.    Physical and Degradation Properties of Bio-based Polymers
This session discusses the characterization and fundamental properties (such as mechanical, thermo, viscoelastic, permeation, structure, morphology, biodegradation, etc.) of all kinds of bio-based or natural polymers such as PHA, PLA, bio-polyesters, bio-PU, bio-polyamides, polysaccharides, proteins, silk, starch, lignin-derived polymers, chitin, chitosan, alginates, polypeptides, collagen, nucleic acids, etc..
D.    Materials Design, Functionalization and Applications of Bio-based Polymers 
This session combines the materials design, modification, functionalization and novel applications such as colloids, aqueous dispersions, nano-sized assemblies or particles, microparticles, capsules, fibers, polymer networks, polyelectrolytes, gels, biological interfaces, thin films, polymer brushes, membranes, etc., of bio-based or natural polymer materials.
E.    Biomedical Application of Bio-based Polymers  
This session presents the application of bio-based polymers for therapeutic or diagnostic procedures such as controlled and targeted delivery of drugs, proteins, genes and bioactive molecules, biosensors, scaffolds and implants in tissue engineering, and clinical devices for regenerative medicine.  Bio-functionalized and bio-mimetically modified polymers designed for biomedical usages are also covered.
F.    Biocomposites and Blends of Bio-based Polymers
This session covers bio-based multiphasic materials (such as polymer blends, composites, hybrids, etc.) involving bio-based polymers as matrixes (such as PLA, PHA, cellulose, starch, chitosan, etc.) and/or dispersed phases (such as natural fibers, clays, nanofillers, etc.).  The structure/ morphology/ properties/ processing related topics of those materials will be the main focus.
G.    Industrial Production and Applications of Bio-based Polymers
This session focuses on the industrial production (such as industrial process design and optimization, cost analysis, life cycle analysis, etc.) and applications (such as packaging, construction materials, cosmetics, agriculture, horticulture, thin films and coatings, automotive and electronic industry, sensors and optical devices, waste water treatment, superabsorbents, etc.) of bio-based polymers.  The economic consideration and environmental impact on the future development of the industry of bio-based polymers are also included.
H.    Joint Symposium with the Annual Meeting of Biomaterials and Controlled Release Society
​This session is jointly sponsored by the Biomaterials and Controlled Release Society, Taiwan (BCRS Taiwan).  BCRS would like to use this opportunity to express their warm welcome to the international community of bio-based polymers.  The joint symposium is organized in hopes that it can open the door to facilitate the collaboration between both parties.  The latest research works related to biomaterials and controlled release from Taiwan will be presented in this session.
(Presentation in Chinese is allowed for this session. )