Crystallography matters ... more!

The 2014 Spring Conference of the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS) will be held for the first time in Lille (France) from 26 to 30 May and will be the largest conference ever organized by E-MRS with a plenary session, 29 parallel symposia as well as poster sessions, one exhibition and much more. The exciting scientific programme will highlight the latest advances in international materials research and demonstrate key novel applications. Special emphasis will be given to the fields related to materials for energy and environment; nanomaterials; materials and light; hybrid organic and biomaterials; crystal growth in materials science, jointly organized with the International Organization for Crystal Growth. An additional feature of the conference will be the bilateral energy conference organized together with MRS-USA, as well as the presentation along selected symposia of Japanese research initiatives promoted by the J-MRS, followed by open discussion, the workshop devoted to grand challenges in materials, the special session devoted to on-going European initiatives in the field of materials and how to promote global actions in key research areas (Europe in Motion), besides tutorial courses devoted to the field of energy and oxides, among others.

In addition a major exhibition of equipment manufacturers, book editors and service units will be organized. Furthermore a number of satellite events are planned to encourage and develop an exciting scientific curiosity towards the wonderful world of materials and their applications! Indeed, it is becoming even more obvious that for the future era of sustainable growth and economic prosperity new advanced materials are the crucial issue to be addressed, crosscutting all main industrial fields, such as biotechnology, energy and the technologies of information and communication.

These activities are complemented by the outstanding plenary events taking place on Wednesday afternoon which will include 2 outstanding speakers. The session will continue with the award of the EU-40 Materials Prize, a prize reserved to researchers aged under 40 who are showing exceptional promise for leadership and have made outstanding and innovative contributions to Materials Research in Europe. The presentation of the Graduate Students Awards will conclude the session.

We predict this will be the largest and most exciting E-MRS Conference ever organized, breaking all records! We really look forward to your active participation and contributions to the discussion.