Comment: Championing the frontiers of chemistry

Science is a critical enabler and catalyst in modern life, opening countless opportunities previously considered impossible. Everyday household products and electronic devices have arisen from scientific discoveries and innovations. Using scientific principles, we can now degrade forever chemicals and cure diseases that were once deemed incurable. As science advances and its impact grows, the borders between scientific disciplines become increasingly ambiguous. Frontiers make these ambiguous lines both beautiful and powerful. Frontiers are not dividers; they are initiators that inspire all. Society, today, is deeply indebted to the foresight and ingenuity of pioneers at the cutting-edge that explored uncertain and unfamiliar fields. The American Chemical Society Committee on Science (ComSci) plays a central role in championing the frontiers of chemistry and science by recognizing, catalyzing, and enabling innovative chemistry to support discoveries, applications, and policies. ComSci takes charge of revolutionizing the promotion of new frontiers and actively engaging with them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we organized a virtual symposium titled “New Frontiers and Opportunities for Chemistry” to highlight outstanding scientists and offered a “Frontier Fridays” webinar series, which reached more than 93 countries and attracted over 7,000 registrants. Over the last 2 years, we have supported ACS in revitalizing its annual meetings to meet future diversified needs and expectations. ComSci has led Innovative Programming (IP) that highlights hot topics identified through data-driven approaches and inputs from subject matter experts, including ACS divisions and committees, the ACS presidential office, the American Chemical Council, and ACS Publications and their editors. Our efforts aim