SoftComp Workshop

Non-Equilibrium Dynamics and Structure Formation

Date: April 3-5, 2017

Venue: Schloss Hohentübingen, Germany

Application Deadline: November 30, 2016

Scientific Organizers:

Professor Martin Oettel (Universität Tübingen)

Professor Tanja Schilling (University of Luxembourg / Universität Freiburg)

Professor Frank Schreiber (Universität Tübingen)

The goal of this SoftComp topical workshop, which will be co-funded by the SoftComp Network, is to bring together researchers from inside and outside the network to establish a clear view of the state of the art of this hot topic and formulate a strategy to bring different strands of research together. We are also dedicated to promoting strong interactions and exchange between experiments, computer simulations and theory, with a great potential for synergy effects, and to promoting women researchers and young scientist.
The format will consist of invited talks as well as a limited number of oral presentations of “hot topics” and poster presentations. Young academics are especially encouraged to participate and present their work.

Scope of the Workshop

Many forms of soft condensed matter in equilibrium have been the subject of research for many years. While there are of course still many open questions, our understanding of the general principles and concepts of how to address equilibrium properties, both in terms of theory as well as experiments, has reached a certain level of maturity. Non-equilibrium properties are far less well understood, probably also due to the additional challenges associated with their theoretical description as well as their experimental study. Moreover, the broad spectrum of length and time scales characteristic of soft matter is potentially further expanded if dynamic and kinetic issues are being considered. On the other hand, it is undisputable that non-equilibrium effects and phenomena play a key role in many areas, inter alia in for growth and structure formation, which also implies a significant technological relevance. These issues have recently moved this hot topic more and more into focus of research. Importantly, there are rather different angles from which the topic is addressed, including from the theoretical side

as well as from the experimental side

each of which sensitive to different windows of time and length scales.

In addition to these general points characterizing the field, also recent and more specific developments such as structure formation in colloidal systems or bio-related systems shall be considered, including the very vibrant field of active soft matter featuring many aspects of structure formation. An important issue will be on conceptual understanding and the comparison between (relatively established) "atomic" systems for growth and (far less established) structure formation in more complex molecular or colloidal systems, i.e. the identification of analogies and differences of system-specific and system-independent features.

Invited Speakers



Conference Photo

Click on image for larger version



Program

Workshop Booklet with program and abstracts

Program (preliminary)



Applications

Those interested in participating are asked to send an application to the conference office before November 30, 2016.



Venue of the Workshop

Schloss Hohentübingen, which is situated on a hill in the centre of the old town, provides a stimulating environment with close connections to the history of science.




Travel Information

Travel to Tübingen coming by plane

Train timetable

Airport sprinter



Conference Office