Design and Properties of Materials for Energy and Environment Applications

For the Solid State Chemists, sustainable development is a challenging endeavor. To face this fundamental issue, the design of new compounds, the optimization of existing materials and the understanding of the structure-physical properties relationship require a multidisciplinary approach in which Solid State Chemistry is the bedrock. New or more efficient materials are strongly needed for energy storage, energy conversion, catalysis, solid-state lighting, superconductivity… By mastering new synthesis and crystal growth techniques, advanced structural characterizations starting from the atomic level, modern concepts of solid state physics such as that of strongly correlated systems, the Solid State Chemist discovers and develops functional materials as attested by many successes in the preparation of materials with unique properties.

Although the 2012 meeting will feature a broad set of oral and poster presentations on all aspects of Solid State Chemistry and its frontiers, special attention will be paid to the materials with new or enhanced properties relevant to energy. Beside Solid State Chemistry, this topic cuts through a number of disciplines including physics, material science and engineering. In that respect, this conference will continue the precedent of bringing together researchers from different communities to discuss the latest advances and challenges in Solid State Chemistry. In the spirit of the Gordon Research Conferences, the intent of this meeting is to promote the exchange of ideas and the building of partnerships between researchers from the academic world, industry and governmental organizations. Speakers and poster presenters are explicitly encouraged to emphasize advances, unpublished results, new and risky ideas on a variety of current topics. The organizers strongly encourage active contribution to discussions and participation in poster sessions, which offer an excellent opportunity for presenting new and exciting research.