REBOND Summer School on Polymeric Networks for Sustainable Development was held on Capri Island

The REBOND Summer School on Polymeric Networks for Sustainable Development, co-organized by the LeNet Project (Hokkaido University) and the Rebond Project (EU), was held from July 6 to 12, 2025, in Capri, Italy.

The summer school featured lectures by leading researchers in polymer science and industrial workshops conducted by experts from polymer product manufacturers.

It brought together forty-seven young researchers and students from nine countries (Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States).

 A total of 14 professors from six countries (Italy, Japan, United States, China, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia) delivered lectures covering a wide range of topics, including the theory, rheology, dynamics, structural analysis, molecular design, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of various polymers (solutions, melts, and networks).

From Hokkaido University, Prof. Xiang Li, Assoc. Prof. Tasuku Nakajima, and Visiting Prof. Michael Rubinstein served as lecturers.

The industrial workshop included lectures on raw materials, manufacturing methods, and recycling technologies for conventional polymer products, followed by brainstorming sessions on the potential applications of self-healing vitrimer materials — a subject of growing interest in recent years. Participants presented their ideas and outcomes to the group.

From Hokkaido University, three young researchers — Assist. Prof. Takashi Yasuda, Dr. Ryuji Kiyama, and Dr. Masahiro Yoshida from Faculty of Advanced Life Science — and five graduate students — Mr. Shou Ohmura, Mr. Tomonori Tani, Mr. Tatsunari Masumi, Ms. Yui Suemura, and Mr. Kosei Oikawa from the Graduate School of Life Science — took part in the program. The participants also gave poster presentations on their own research.

These sessions stimulated active discussions with lecturers and fellow participants.

Through lectures, presentations, and discussions, the summer school fostered vibrant international academic exchanges and contributed to strengthening research networks in the field of polymer science.