Designing, Discovering, and Understanding the Functional Materials of the Future

Solid state chemistry has played an essential role in the design, discovery, and optimization of new functional materials to meet ever-growing societal demands for smaller, faster, cleaner, and more sustainable technologies. For some technologies discovery of a material with the right combination of properties can shift the entire paradigm upon which a technology is based, lithium-ion batteries are one such example. The road from exploratory synthesis to the commercial application is complex and inherently multidisciplinary path. Fundamental studies of the links between composition, structure, and properties are essential to the development of computational tools and theoretical models that can in turn guide exploratory synthesis and inform property optimization. In other instances, the challenge is to find synthetic routes that can produce new materials that computations tell us will have exceptional properties. Both synthetic and computational chemists rely on advanced characterization tools to understand both the science of synthesis and factors that control the physical and chemical properties of solids.

This conference will explore those themes from a variety of perspectives. Sessions will cover the science of synthesis, advanced characterization tools, and diverse approaches to materials discovery. Other sessions will focus on materials and technologies where solid state chemists are essential—energy conversion and storage, magnetism, and electronics. Researchers from academia, national laboratories and industry will provide a broad perspective that seeks to strengthen the links between fundamental studies and paradigm-shifting applications. Speakers and poster presenters are explicitly encouraged to emphasize advances and discuss unpublished results, while sharing new ideas on synthesis, characterization, computation, and theory. The organizers strongly encourage active contribution to discussions and participation in poster sessions, which offer an excellent opportunity for presenting and learning about new and exciting research.