Grants to Support Knowledge Exchange - Dick F Firdaus
Dick F Firdaus, 2025 Grant to Support Knowledge Exchange recipient, shares his experience.
I would like to sincerely thank IOM3 for awarding me the Grant to Support Knowledge Exchange, which supported my travel to the biennial European Polymer Federation (EPF) Congress 2025 in Groningen, Netherlands. The conference was held under the theme Polymers for a Sustainable Future.
I was honoured to present my first-year PhD research in the Polymers for Biological, Medical, and Food Applications session. My project focused on 3D-printable hydrogels for central nervous system repair, developed using sustainable materials and printed at room temperature to reduce energy use. While post-printing treatments enhanced the hydrogel’s strength and stability. By combining sustainability with functional performance, this research aligned with IOM3’s mission to advance sustainable materials science.
A highlight of the event was having my presentation attended by 2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor Ben Feringa, with whom I had a brief but inspiring discussion on integrating molecular motors into hydrogels. I also connected with industry representatives, including Shell, to explore potential collaborations. In addition, I engaged with leading polymer scientists such as Professors Gerrit Challa, Jian Ping Gong, and Krzysztof Matyjaszewski. These interactions made the experience especially valuable for my academic and professional development, and I am truly grateful to IOM3 for making it possible.
Dick F Firdaus
PhD Student, Cambridge University
