Carbon is an element of intense interest to a wide range of chemists, materials scientists, and engineers, and a key primary focus of the Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials (CMCM). Significant attention is being directed toward manipulating the configurations of the bonds that form between carbon atoms as control over such structural arrangements should facilitate access to new classes materials that display novel or exotic chemical and/or physical properties. We envision that macromolecules and polymeric materials may serve as intermediates to new carbons. Current research interests range from solving long-standing fundamental questions to creating new synthetic tools to characterizing exotic molecules. The study of carbon-based materials can be expected reinforce domestic strengths in the chemical, semiconducting, manufacturing and/or other high technology space and/or result in the realization of novel ‘breakthrough’ innovations with high fundamental and/or commercial potential. Prof. Bielawski is also deeply committed to education and enjoys teaching classes at all levels. His philosophy focuses on encouraging students to not only engage problems in chemistry, but also to inspire creativity and innovation as well. The Institute for Basic Science (IBS-019-D1) is acknowledged for support.