Expanding access to laboratory research projects through the MONET Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) program. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation Undergraduate Research Experiences Previous Next

Recorded skill exchanges relevant to difference aspects of researching polymers. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Technique Tutorials Previous Next

Engaging, content-rich events for the public, through the Art of Polymers Concert Series—a collaboration between the performing arts and physical sciences with our partners at Multiverse. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication Art of Polymers The Art of Polymers concert series has transformed how society engages with polymer science and chemistry, creating unprecedented bridges between cutting-edge research and public understanding through immersive musical experiences. The journey began with the Virtual Premiere of Art of Polymers , celebrating the 100th anniversary of artificial polymers while reaching 971 people through both live and recorded formats. Interactive Presentation Building on this momentum, the Art of Polymers Concert Live at MIT brought together 115 in-person attendees and 187 YouTube viewers for an evening of original classical and electronic compositions interwoven with live science demonstrations. The series gained remarkable visibility through national media coverage. Art of Polymers on WGBH Public Radio extended the concert's reach to over 100,000 listeners, with an additional 9,685 YouTube views amplifying the message. Media recognition was further amplified when Art of Polymers was published in Advanced Science News , introducing the innovative fusion of polymer research and musical composition to an international readership and legitimizing artistic science communication in mainstream scientific media. The Climate HOPE Concert exponentially expanded the series' impact, reaching over 800,000 people through NPR's WBUR Boston broadcast and engaging 300 live attendees. This multimedia performance wove together research on sustainable polymers with coral reef restoration, urban regeneration projects, and space exploration, demonstrating how polymer science connects to society's most pressing environmental challenges. The initiative's continued evolution is embodied in Planning and Delivering a New Art of Polymer Compositions & Performances , which charts an ambitious roadmap extending through 2027. This planning phase has produced new compositions based on cutting-edge research, including pieces on sacrificial bonds that challenge assumptions about material strength. The Earthrise Concerto at the Christa McAuliffe Center, featuring 10^4 Rays of Hope from Art of Polymers as the finale, brought the Art of Polymers message to planetarium audiences, featuring "10^4 Rays of Hope" as the grand finale in a program exploring the "one earth" perspective and collective responsibility for global challenges. Most recently, piloting the new Musical Mechanophores Outreach Kit at the Cambridge Science Festival engaged over 250 participants in hands-on exploration of polymer networks. Using the innovative Multiverse app, participants "played" chemical structures as music before testing physical models with beads, fishing line, and Velcro to discover the counterintuitive principle that weak molecular crosslinkers can create stronger polymer networks. Featured on the Science with Impact Podcast , Prof. David Ibbett was interviewed by MONET's Director of Broader Impacts, Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D. to discuss the the process and future of their collaborations. Together, these initiatives have created a scalable, research-grounded model for science communication that has reached over one million people across live performances, broadcasts, digital platforms, and hands-on outreach. The Art of Polymers series proves that when scientists and artists collaborate authentically, they can transform abstract molecular concepts into experiences that resonate emotionally, intellectually, and culturally—ultimately strengthening society's relationship with scientific innovation and inspiring the next generation of STEAM thinkers. Previous Next

CRIPT is a partnership between MIT, Citrine Informatics, Dow Chemical, NIST, and the University of Chicago in which a community database for polymer science is developed through an NSF Phase I Convergence Accelerator project. Broader Impacts Innovation CRIPT Previous Next

Collaborating with the American Chemical Society, Science Olympiad, "for the CURIOUS" and others to bring our messages to the broadest audience possible. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication Outreach Partners Previous Next

Research translation and transition efforts resulting in patent filings and new sponsored research endeavors. Broader Impacts Innovation Research Translations Previous Next

Development of polymer chemistry data tools such as BigSMILES, PolyDAT, and the CRIPT spinoff. Broader Impacts Innovation Data Tools Previous Next

Trainees collaborate with and visit another MONET-affiliated lab for cross-disciplinary research exposure. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Lab Exchanges International Lab Exchanges: Building Global Networks and Advancing Research MONET's International Lab Exchanges Initiative represents a cornerstone of our Signature Professional Development Experiences, providing trainees with transformative opportunities to expand their research capabilities, forge international collaborations, and gain perspectives that fundamentally reshape their scientific careers. Through partnerships across Switzerland, Germany, and Australia, our trainees have participated in immersive experiences that bridge academic research and real-world applications in materials science and sustainability. The impact of these exchanges extends far beyond technical skill development. When Ana Paula Kitos Vasconcelos participated in the Research University Alliance (RUA) Program, she spent a week visiting leading Swiss institutions, including ETH Zurich, EPFL, EMPA, and the Adolphe Merkle Institute. Her goal was clear: identify research groups aligned with her future career aspirations and discover pathways to postdoctoral opportunities. The connections she made opened doors to fellowship opportunities and potential postdoctoral projects, demonstrating how international exchanges catalyze long-term career trajectories. As Ana Paula reflected, the experience allowed her to "identify avenues of potential research opportunities" while receiving "direction and support for applying to fellowships." Similarly, Alex Foret's 10-week research experience in Dresden, Germany, exemplifies how international exchanges provide access to specialized expertise and techniques. Working under Professor Christian Roßner at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Alex gained hands-on experience in synthesis and characterization techniques previously outside their research scope. The program, which brought together seven participants and culminated in a joint symposium between German and US labs, expanded Alex's professional network across continents while developing proficiency in methods that will prove invaluable throughout their materials science career. Juan Antonio Cintrón Cruz's two-week collaboration at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg demonstrates how MONET leverages connections with senior investigators to facilitate cutting-edge research opportunities. Through relationships between MONET PIs Steve Craig and Jeremiah Johnson and NMR expert Professor Kay Saalwächter, Juan gained access to advanced NMR characterization techniques to study polymer network structures. This collaboration not only enhanced Juan's analytical capabilities but also aims to implement these techniques at MIT, thereby expanding the characterization tools available across the entire center. The ongoing partnership is expected to yield a joint publication that showcases how these exchanges generate lasting scientific contributions. Perhaps most distinctive is the PELICANS program (Plastic in the Environment, Leaders in Collaboration from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States), which took Ana Paula and Herbert Wakefield IV to Australia for an intensive two-week exploration of the plastic industry's sustainability challenges. Through partnerships with the NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers, CSIRO, UNSW, Monash University, and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization, they examined packaging, recycling, policy, education, and pollution from an industry perspective. The trainees created educational materials on plastic food packaging and recycling challenges and contributed to a podcast series on plastic waste. This experience bridged the gap between academic research and industry needs, helping them "examine their research in the context of potential innovations that could be developed and applied to make a genuine difference in the plastic industry." Collectively, these International Lab Exchanges embody MONET's commitment to developing scientists who can navigate the global research landscape, communicate across disciplinary and cultural boundaries, and translate their work into societal impact. By providing access to specialized facilities, fostering international collaborations, and exposing trainees to diverse research cultures and industry perspectives, these exchanges prepare them not only to advance materials science but also to lead the next generation of sustainable innovation. Previous Next

Professional development events that leverage MONET resources to provide unique training opportunities. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Training Events Previous Next

Exchanging resources and ideas in monthly Developing Innovation, Service, Community, and Outreach (DISCO) moments. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation DISCO Moments Previous Next

Converting high-touch experiences into MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication Outreach Kits Previous Next

Alumni Alumni ⬅️ All Members Kelsie Wentz Alumni Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Indiana University