Call for Papers

Please contact the symposium organizers with questions.

In contrast to the monomer-by-monomer addition described in classical models, crystallization by non-classical path ways, such as crystal particle attachment (CPA), ranging from multi-ion complexes to fully formed nanocrystals, is now recognized as a common phenomenon. CPA has been observed or inferred in a wide range of synthetic systems—including oxide, metallic, and semiconductor nanoparticles, zeolites, organic systems, macromolecules, and common biomineral phases formed biomimetically. CPA in natural environments also occurs in geologic and biological minerals. The species identified as being responsible for growth vary widely and include multi-ion complexes, oligomeric clusters, crystalline or amorphous nanoparticles, and monomer rich liquid droplets.

The symposium will cover a broad range of topics related to CPA experimental and theoretical studies—the interplay of solution structure, interfacial forces, particle motion, long-standing interpretations of crystal formation patterns in synthetic systems and natural environments, non-classical thermodynamic and dynamic mechanisms, interface dynamics in gases and liquids. The goal of this symposium is to bring together researchers from various fields to understand the materials formation through particle attachment.

Topics will include:

• Interplay of solution structure
• Interaction between particles
• Interfacial structure between particle surfaces
• Interface-driven processes
• Non-classical thermodynamic and dynamic mechanisms
• Interface dynamics in gases and liquids
• Self-assembly of nanoparticle superlattices
• Self-assembly in polymeric and biomolecular systems
• Hierarchical structural through nanoparticle mediated growth and oriented attachment

Invited Speakers:

• Haimei Zheng (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)
• Qian Chen (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA)
• Chad Mirkin (Northwestern University, USA)
• Jim De Yoreo (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA)
• Nico Sommerdijk (Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Netherlands)
• Honggang Liao (Xiamen University, China)
• Xiaoqing Pan (University of California, Irvine, USA)
• Xiang Yang Liu (National University of Singapore, Singapore)
• Fiona Meldrum (University of Leeds, United Kingdom)
• Judy Cha (Yale University, USA)
• Tobias Hanrath (Cornell University, USA)
• Nicholas Kotov (University of Michigan, USA)
• Yan Li (Peking University, China)
• Alexander Driessche (Université Grenoble Alpes, France)
• Kristin Fichthorn (The Pennsylvania State Univeristy, USA)
• Colin Oplus (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)
• Jeffery Rimer (University of Houston, USA)
• Dimitri Talapin (The University of Chicago, USA)

Symposium Organizers