Conferences  >  Physics  >  Condensed Matter Physics and Materials  >  Germany

Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden

The workshop explores adaptive and active wetting, connecting physico-chemical systems with emerging biophysical and biomimetic ones. It covers dynamic wetting on flexible, chemically adaptive, and switchable substrates, as well as related active processes, to propose new challenges in engineering, mathematics, (bio)chemistry and soft matter physics.

Adaptive Wetting; Active Wetting; Wetting of Biological Interfaces; Elastic Substrates and Wetting; Chemically Adaptive Substrates; Switchable Substrates and Wetting Dynamics; Substrate Dynamics and Hydrodynamics; Dynamic Wetting of Complex Liquids; Interfacial Energy Dissipation; Biophysical and Biomimetic Systems; Wetting of Biomolecular Condensates

Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

Fundamental symmetry breaking is important to understanding the formation of our universe including baryogenesis and the homochirality of living organisms. It plays an important role in finding a more complete theory than the Standard Model of particle physics. In recent years, molecules have become a leading platform to search for such symmetry breakings through precision metrology as they exhibit enhanced sensitivity and in particular, their many degrees of freedom can be leveraged to isolate violations of fundamental symmetries from the background. However, in recent years, the molecular precision spectroscopy community has become focused on simultaneous parity and time reversal symmetry violation, overlooking the equal importance of time-reversal symmetry even, parity violating effects. For example, despite its prediction in the 1960s, the parity violating energy difference between mirror-images of chiral molecules is yet to be observed, which is crucial for our understanding of molecular chirality. Only recently several individual works rediscovered the unique opportunities of molecular parity violation, indicating even its undiscovered potential in revealing new physics. Moreover, recent advancements in molecular quantum control and molecular theory may bring the detection of molecular parity violation now in reach for the first time. This workshop will use the momentum of these recent advances to refocus the attention on molecular parity violation experiments and foster collaboration in the field.

Atomic and Molecular Physics,    High Energy Physics, Particles and Fields

Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

The Heraeus workshop “Topology and geometry: Novel concepts in 3D quantum transport on the mesoscale” explores charge transport in mesoscale systems where conventional Ohmic scaling breaks down. As device dimensions shrink and materials complexity grows, transport becomes governed by a rich interplay of geometry, topology, and many-body interactions. We aim to unify perspectives across three key areas: (1) topological transport shaped by quantum geometry and Berry curvature, (2) semiclassical and quantum transport under high magnetic fields, and (3) strongly correlated electron dynamics including hydrodynamic flow and quantum criticality. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying how disparate length scales—mean free path, magnetic length, and correlation length—conspire to shape transport in modern materials. The workshop will foster cross-disciplinary exchange between condensed matter physics, materials chemistry, and device theory.

Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

Technological breakthroughs in the energy transition hinge on finding earth‐abundant materials that can convert between electricity and chemical bond energy at a faster rate for a prolonged lifetime. This mission can only be accomplished with a fundamental understanding of the solid/liquid interfaces, also known as the electrical double layer (EDL), at which most important conversion processes occur. However, we are struggling with precise measurement and high‐fidelity modeling of basic thermodynamic quantities, notably the capacitance, entropy and surface stress, of EDL. It is thus imperative to bring together scientists with a wide range of expertise in experiments (single‐crystal preparation and characterization, electrochemical impedance, microcalorimetry, etc) and theory (continuum theory, molecular dynamics simulation, density functional theory, machine learning potentials) to discuss these specific topics in a level of depth greater than that in regular scientific meetings and conferences.

Multidisciplinary Events in Physics,    Applied Physics (general)

Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

The ferroic state, i.e., the property of matter to spontaneously organize itself magnetically, electrically or elastically, is one of the most fascinating phenomena in nature and is also extremely relevant for technological applications, ranging from energy conversion to unconventional computing. A paradigm shift is currently taking place in the field of ferroics research. New types of ferroic order are discovered and a new understanding of how a ferroic state is defined is emerging. New concomitant phenomena and applications, which often result from the topological properties of such ferroic states, are being researched. Novel imaging techniques for ferroic states, in particular in three dimensions, are being developed. The aim of the seminar is to bring structure to the current progress in the field of ferroic ordering and imaging techniques, and thereby promote a coherent and synergetic development of the research field.

Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden

Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

Zwitterionic materials like phosphorylcholines and betaines, but also ampholytes, ionic liquids, and layer-by-layer materials have emerged as promising materials in biomedical and engineering applications. The conference will bring together experts from the fields of bioinspired and naturally occurring materials with zwitterionic key building blocks used to tailor the properties of synthetic bioinspired materials and provide an overview of the research state of the art and latest developments on this research topic.

The topics include bioinspired and zwitterionic materials, surfaces and nanoparticles, materials synthesis and characterization, applications in medicine, biosensors and cell culture, applications in nanomedicine and nanodiagnostics, technical applications like protective coatings for ocean and freshwater applications, membrane technology, construction, energy research, and pharmaceutical applications like controlled drug delivery.

Spin Phenomena Interdisciplinary Center (SPICE)

This conference will bring together experimentalists and theorists to explore how strain can be used to probe and control electronic and structural properties in quantum materials. Discussions will focus on the tuning of competing charge and spin orders, mechanically responsive electronic states, and emergent collective dynamics. Particular attention will be given to novel experimental approaches that enable high-precision strain control and uncover hidden aspects of quantum correlations.

Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation

Geometrical confinement is relevant to various disciplines, ranging from the natural sciences via the life sciences to the material science field. Confinement effects have far-reaching influences. They shape efficient hydrodynamic flows, deepen the understanding of biological processes, advance carbon capture technologies, and provide new chemical reactivities. So far, much of the research has focused on demonstrating the importance of confinement in physical and chemical systems while neglecting the fundamental principles that govern these effects. Thus, not much is known about how and why exactly confinement effects modulate key physical phenomena, alter reactivities, or change product selectivity and material properties. As a result, essential questions remain unanswered — what are the underlying physical mechanisms at play in confinement, and how do they alter atomic interactions and influence dynamical properties?