Elastomers, polymer networks, and gels belong to a class of materials that have drawn widespread interest because of their beneficial properties that facilitate applications which otherwise would not be attainable. Unique properties arise from an interplay of competing phenomena such as molecular connectivity, mobility of molecular segments. and degree of heterogeneity and order. Variations in chemical composition and in thermo-rheological history allow the tailoring the mechanical, optical, transport, surface, swelling, and ordering properties. Recently, enormous growth was seen with biomedical and biological gel systems and with self-assembled network polymers which, because of their highly regular order on the nanoscale, are the basis for novel nanotechnology. Novel synthesis methods, novel experimental methods, and an increased theoretical understanding support these developments. This GRC attracts researchers from the physical sciences, chemical sciences, biological sciences, and engineering. They come from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Students and Postdocs are encouraged to participate in the discussions and to present their work with posters.

This GRC was previously known as the GRC on "Elastomers". The classical example of an elastomer is natural rubber. The broadening of the conference to include a rich variety of polymer networks and gels results from a recognition of the maturity of the field of elastomers and from the discovery of many new systems that rely on crosslinking or network formation in general.