Exploring Matter Beyond Equilibrium

The conference has charted advances in the field for over 60 years. Probing the behavior of matter under extremes conditions, breakthroughs include to the study of deep Earth mineralogy and the quest for metallic hydrogen, and to the recent breakthroughs in high temperature superconductivity and inertial fusion.

Thermodynamics, the study of equilibrium phases and the careful mapping of phase diagrams using diverse techniques – both in the application of pressure and the analysis of the phases – are the bedrock of the field. But recent trends are moving away from equilibrium conditions. Dynamic compression with unprecedented experimental probes provides a window into the behavior of shocked materials, and high-pressure synthesis of metastable materials promises to provide access to extreme properties, such as mechanical strength and high-temperature superconductivity. Planetary and astrophysical bodies are studied on their slow journey towards thermodynamic equilibrium. The investigation of life at extremes is challenging, but is providing insights into origins, and exobiology.

Building on previous conferences, the maturing interplay between theory, computation and experimental synthesis and analysis will be highlighted. Over the last half decade or so there has been a revolution in the application of machine learning inspired algorithms for the fast evaluation of energy landscapes. This has transformed the range of systems, in terms of chemical and structure complexity for structure prediction, and time and length-scales in dynamical simulations, that can be computationally explored.

There will be sessions highlighting and exploring these advances both away from equilibrium, and in machine learning and advanced computation. The behavior of the light elements at high pressure continues to fascinate, while challenging our theoretical and experimental techniques. Over the last decade we have uncovered a new class of high temperature superconductors – the metallic super-hydrides. Can these lead us to room temperature superconductivity under everyday conditions? A particular focus of the conference will be on new techniques, whether experimental, significant development of facilities, or computational/theoretical. Importantly, there will be sessions challenging the traditional boundaries of research at high pressure, such as the life sciences, technological applications, and new ways of thinking about high pressure.

Due to limited accommodations at this venue, guest housing is very limited. To request family/guest housing please reach out to your Conference Operations Associate.