Instructive Surfaces: From Guiding Chemical Reactions to Controlling Protein Adhesion

The 2019 GRC on Chemical Reactions at Surfaces will be held in Ventura, California, during February 17-22, 2019. The conference will convene an interdisciplinary group of world-recognized experts and young researchers from chemistry, physics, chemical engineering and materials science to address and discuss fundamental aspects of surface and interface chemistry, representing grand challenges facing mankind. These topics include: well-defined surfaces of model systems, current theoretical approaches to describe static and dynamic phenomena occurring in these confined geometries, oxide and mineral surfaces, environmental interfaces including that of concrete, catalysis, photocatalysis, adsorption of biomolecules, and novel approaches for layer-by-layer methods to modify surface properties and to engineer new materials. A number of the 25 invited talks presented by international experts will focus on novel experimental and theoretical aspects aiming at the virtual design of interface properties.

Since 2013 the meeting alternately takes place in Europe and the US. The success of the conference in attracting an extremely diverse group of participants from across the globe was demonstrated at the most recent meeting in Il Ciocco, Italy in early 2017. Accordingly, we seek to draw a highly international group of speakers and participants to Ventura, CA in 2019. Funds supporting the conference will be used to assist participants, especially young scientists who otherwise would be unable to attend: junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows and advanced graduate students. Participation by young researchers adds significant value to these conferences and will foster communications among current and future leaders in the field. Immediately prior to the GRC, there will be a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) held at the same location for young scientists in order to give younger participants an opportunity to network with one another and to become acquainted with the style and content of the subsequent GRC.