This volume of Macromolecular Symposia contains papers presented at the 16th Polymer Networks Group Meeting held in Autrans, France in September 2002. The conference spotlighted recent experimental and theoretical developments in the field of Functional Networks and Gels, including:

• Self-assembling systems



• Smart composite gels



• Photo-mechanical elastomers



• Electrically conducting rubbers



• Reinforcement and hyperelasticity effects in filled elastomers



• Ion-induced volume transitions



• The behavior of gels at interfaces



• Modeling approaches



• The formation and structure-property relationships of networks and gels