The program "Polymer Design" was prepared to include the most promising research areas with a common goal to develop novel polymeric materials and materials with improved properties. In addition the goal of the program was to develop new knowledge and contribute to higher added value products. Results confirm the direction of the program as well as the successful work in the group. The achievements in most areas were innovative and as such important contributions to the global pool of knowledge. In the area of side-chain liquid crystal polymers we synthesized new polyurethanes (STPU) and polyesters and studied the effect of chemical structure (type of diisocyanate or acid halide, type of mesogenic diol and the length of the side or main chains of polymers) on the liquid crystalline properties. We were the first to prepare novel STPU using the molecular recognition process: connections between the polymer and low molecular weight mesogenic compounds through the interaction between complementary groups (pyridine and carboxyl groups). The formation of stable complexes depends on the strength of the interaction, flexibility of the polymer chain, the accessibility of the pyridine units, and the length of the mesogenic aliphatic chain. Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN): we studied the effect of polyol type and the content of functional groups on the molecular dynamics and phase separation of soft and hard segments and through that on the final properties. Conductive polymers: we developed ionically conducting polymer membranes based on a fluorinated polymer and inorganic fillers which represents a novel approach in the preparation of such membranes. The membranes reached ionic conductivity in the 1x10-2 Scm-1 range at temperatures up to 180 oC. The results were protected by a patent application. In addition we continued our study of substituted polyanilines: the effect of co-monomer ratio and reaction conditions on the composition, oxidation state and properties of the copolymers. Degradation and biodegradation: we studied the degradation and biodegradation mechanisms of polyamide 6 and (PA6) and PA66 and optimized the degradation of the polymer using microwaves as the source of thermal energy. We developed the methods to follow PA6 biodegradation. PET degradation products were used in the formulation and synthesis of unsaturated polyester resins for use in construction elements and polymer concrete. We studied the synthesis of polyesteramides based on aminoacids (biodegradable polymers) and the effect of composition on the rate of degradation, solubility and ability to bind metal ions. We developed methods for the determination of molar mass averages, distributions and composition for polymers such as polyurethanes and PU ionomers, hyperbranched polyesters, micelles of bloc copolymers of styrene and methylmetacrylate, and biodegradable polyhydroxy alkanoates. Since 1999 the group published 53 original scientific papers and 4 technical papers and participated in a number of national and international meetings and conferences. 5 Patents were issued and further 3 are pending (2 international). The group widened its international cooperation in bilateral and European projects (5th framework). We are partner in network of excellence "Nanofun-poly" that will start with activities within the 6th European framework in 2004. Cooperation included all parts of our program: hyperbranched polymers (INCO Copernicus: Environmentally Friendly Polyurethane Materials from Precursors of Compact Architecture), conductive polymers (5th RPF project Apollon, bilateral project with the Czech Republic), interpenetrating polymer networks (bilateral project with Croatia), biodegradable polymers (bilateral project with Italy), polymer properties (5th RPF project Wheypol, bilateral project with France).