28th PDDG Meeting; September 6-10th 2009
Hotel Vis-a-Vis, Sestri Levante, Italy

The isthmus between the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Wonders) and the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) is one of the most
beautiful parts of Liguria and is the original nucleus of ancient "Segesta Tigullorium", a centre of primary importance for the
Eastern Riviera. The area has many natural advantages: it is easily reached by sea and stands at the end of a vast alluvial plain
and at the beginning of some important communications routes with the hinterland: leaving from Sestri, it is quite easy to reach the passes of Monte Bracco (613 m.) and Colle di Velva (545 m.).

The "island" between the two bays was once a real island: the isthmus was formed by the accumulation of detritus from the River
Gromolo. This was the first settled area, where you can find the twelfth-century church of San Nicolò and the remains of the
fortification built by the Genoese, which was taken into the eclectic Castello Gualino in 1925 and is today a hotel: Guglielmo
Marconi carried out some important experiments in one of its towers. Other historical buildings have been transformed into large hotels, such as the large villas with parks in the town and on the hills. Villa Negrotto Cambiaso is today a conference centre, while Villa Durazzo Pallavicino is now the town hall; sumptuous Villa Balbi has been a hotel since 1947. The town is also
embellished by the eighteenth-century Basilica of Santa Maria di Nazareth, with its neoclassical pronaos: inside you can admire a
valuable painting by Domenico Fiasella. The church of San Pietro in Vincoli holds a wooden group by Antonio Maria Maragliano
representing the martyrdom of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria. Also of remarkable interest is the private collection of drawings and
prints in the Galleria Rizzi.

It is well worth making an excursion to Punta Manara, Punta Baffe and Monte Castello, which lie in the midst of Mediterranean
maquis vegetation, the municipal district of Santa Vittoria di Libiola with its ancient iron mines, and the ancient parish church
of Santo Stefano al Ponte: these itineraries offer beautiful panoramic views and are also suitable for mountain bikers.
Near the tunnels on the way to Moneglia there is a rock-face gymnasium. Sestri Levante was the birthplace of the poet Giovanni
Descalzo and the critic and essay-writer Carlo Bo. The Bay of Wonders was given its name by Hans Christian Andersen: Sestri awards an annual prize for children's literature in his name.

Travel advice to the venue from Milan and Genoa airports can be found here

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ADVANCED POLYMERIC MATERIALS:
DEGRADATION, STABILISATION MODIFICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

INVITED SPEAKERS

UPLOAD YOUR ABSTRACT HERE

Mukesh Doble (IIT Madras, INDIA)
"Biodegradation of Polyolefins"

Eno Chiellini (University of Pisa, Italy)
"Hydro and OxoBiodegradable. Is Partnership or Marriage Possible"

Graeme George (University of Melbourne, Australia)
"Profluorescent Nitroxides as Imageing Probes of Polymer Degradation"

Dick Pethrick (University of Strathclyde, Scotland)
"Degradation of Polymer Coatings/Adhesive Bonds"

Mat Celina (Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M., USA)
"Some Examples of New Approaches Towards the Characterization of Polymer Degradation"

Giovanni Camino (University of Turin, Italy)
"Biodegradable Nanocomposites"

Michelle Edge (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK)
"Environmental Photocatalytic Coatings: Activity and Applications"

Robert Maxwell (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, California, USA)
"Degradation & Characterisation of Advanced Silicone Elastomers"

Mogon Patel (AWE, Reading, UK)
"Advanced Silicones Incorporating Caged Molecular Property Modifiers"

Sahar Al- Malaika (University of Aston in Birmingham, UK)
“Effect of Stabilisers on PP-based Nanocomposites”

Ignazio Renato Bellobono (University of Milano, Italy)
“Advances in Photocatalytic Membranes: Modelling and Applications”

REGISTRATION

Download and print registration

The conference begins with registration at 4-7 pm in the conference Hall followed by a wine cheese/snacks reception at 7.30 pm on Sunday 6th September. Registration fee includes the coffees/snacks, lunches for the 4 day meeting, Reception on 6th September and conference dinner at Vis-a-Vis on Tuesday evening 8th September.

All delegates and invited Speakers should make their own Hotel reservations either in Sestri Levante or nearby if preferred. Hotel lists and prices and travel details to Sestri are provided on the here for reference. Please complete this form and return to the Secretary Dr. Mogon Patel.

Please send all payment details to the Treasurer, Professor N.S. Allen below.

(We STRONGLY recommend that all delegates and speakers book early as this is a popular tourist resort on the Italian Coast)

REGISTRATION FEE

Before May 31st 2009: Total Inclusive Fee: £360 (Sterling)
Late Fee: £420
Student Fee: £300
(Applicable to all delegates and contributed short lectures)
Accompanying person only (Non-delegates): £220

Your PAYMENT if by cheque (payable to ‘Degradation Group Conference Account’) must be sent to the Treasurer:

• Prof. N. S. Allen
• Department of Biology, Chemistry and Health Science
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Chester Street
• Manchester
• M1 5GD
• UK

• Barclays Bank PLC
• Manchester Universities Branch
• 137 Oxford Road
• Manchester
• UK
  
• Sort Code: 20-55-13 Account: 40255866
• BAN GB28 BARC 2055 1340 2558 66
• SWIFTCBIC BARCGB22
  
  Transfers must be titled: Degradation Group Conference Account: Delegates Name
  
  Please not that it is important to include the title above. The Bank receives hundreds of payments each week and they can easily be lost if not correctly identified. Please send this FORM to the PDDG Secretary .