Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry Symposium 2013

The 3rd Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry Symposium was held in Kloster Seeon, Germany, August 8-11, 2013.

More than 60 invited young scientists from US, UK, Germany, and - for the first time - Brazil discussed their latest research and possible future trans-disciplinary and trans-national co-operations. The attendance of ACS President Marinda Wu, RSC Executive Director Robert Parker, and GDCh Vice President Eckhard Ottow showed the extraordinary importance of the symposium for the common international activities of the organizing chemical societies. Furthermore, representatives from the German funding organizations DFG, AvH, and DAAD as well as from the chemical industry and publishers contributed to the symposium.

Download        Program        english (pdf.file, 47 KB) 

Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry - TFOC (History)

The American Chemical Society (ACS), the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh - German Chemical Society) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) organize the Transatlantic Frontiers of Chemistry Symposia since 2006. TFOC is the continuation of the German American Frontiers of Chemistry Symposia. This initiative of ACS, GDCh and RSC is designed to develop interdisciplinary exchange among young chemical scientists. Topics to be considered include: frontiers of catalysis and synthesis, the molecular basis of materials and living systems, interfacial chemistry, frontier knowledge of molecular mechanisms, and fundamental questions in the chemical sciences.

The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom are leading components of the worldwide chemical economy, with strong chemical industries, flourishing universities and an established history of government and private support for the chemical sciences. American, German, and UK researchers stand at the cutting edge of chemical research in such important fields as chemical synthesis, catalysis, molecular self-assembly, nanomaterials, functional polymers, frontiers of measurement and genomics.

The American Chemical Society (ACS), the German Chemical Society (GDCh) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) are developing interactions among the three vital chemical communities to establish a strong foundation for future research. This is important to all and a particular benefit arises because, it is increasingly vital for young chemical scientists to be acquainted with the latest research practiced by their counterparts in Germany, the UK and the United States.

In the late 1990’s, multidisciplinary German-American Frontiers of Science (GAFOS) symposia organized by the former German-American Academic Council (GAAC) and by the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung pointed to a need for greater interactions in individual disciplines. Accordingly, ACS and GDCh organized three German-American Frontiers of Chemistry Symposia, inviting some 40 early career (age 40 or younger) faculty-rank US chemical scientists to meet together with an equal number of German counterparts to discuss the newest developments in the chemical sciences. The first symposium took place in Germany in July, 2000, a second symposium was organized in Durham, New Hampshire, USA, in August 2002 and the third was held in July of 2004 in Germany.

Sponsoring Organizations

American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a not-for-profit membership organization, founded in 1876 and chartered by a 1937 Act of the U.S. Congress. With a membership of nearly 159,000 chemists, chemical engineers, and other practitioners of the chemical sciences, it is the world's largest scientific society. ACS is recognized as a world leader in fostering scientific education and research, and promoting the public's understanding of science.  The American Chemical Society is active in international affairs through meetings and workshops, scientific exchanges, international development projects, and scientific freedom and human rights activities. For details on Society operations and programs please see the official website www.chemistry.org

Royal Society of Chemistry

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is the oldest chemical society in the world, founded in 1841 and is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a network of 47,000 members worldwide and an internationally acclaimed publishing business, its activities span education and training, conferences and science policy, and the promotion of the chemical sciences to the public. As the professional body for chemistry in the UK, the RSC is responsible for maintaining advanced standards of qualifications, competence and professional practice. Achievements in the chemical sciences are recognised by offering more than 80 awards to those scientists who have made significant contributions to chemistry-related research and education. The Society is also the UK National Adhering Organisation to IUPAC. Full details about the RSC's activities can be found at www.rsc.org.

 
German Chemical Society

The German Chemical Society (GDCh) is the largest scientific society devoted to chemistry in Continental Europe, with members from university, industry, and government. GDCh promotes the chemical sciences in teaching, research and industry, concentrating its activities on the fundamental development and the public understanding of the chemical sciences. The GDCh was created in 1949 as a non-profit association with traditional ties to its forerunner organizations - the German Chemical Society established in 1867 and the Association of German Chemists founded in 1877.  Please consult www.gdch.de for further information.