Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Molecular Science

The Annual Meeting of Japan Society for Molecular Science is the central scientific conference hosted by the Japan Society for Molecular Science. Serving since 2007 as the successor of the good tradition of the Symposium on Molecular Structure and Dynamics, the Annual Meeting embraces free, vigorous discussion among the participants. The third Annual Meeting will be held on the Higashiyama campus, Nagoya University.

In past Annual Meetings, a total of 1,200-1,300 participants heard about 900 research presentations and took part in in-depth, interdisciplinary discussion. To guarantee openness, presenters are not limited to the membership holders of the Society. Any persons interested in molecular science, covering physical chemistry, chemical physics, and related fields, are welcomed as presenters or in the audience to make the meeting an opportunity to realize the depth and dynamism of the field.

Molecular science is concerned with structures, reactions, and physical properties of molecules and molecular aggregates. Research targets range from simple species to biomolecules and polymers in a variety of states including isolated molecules, clusters, liquids, solutions, crystals, thin films, surface-adsorbed layers, living cells, and extreme conditions such as high pressure, high and low temperature, interstellar space, and intensive photon fields. The amazing variety of structures, reactions, and properties of molecules under these conditions follow basic laws as described by the principles of quantum theory, chemical bond theory, and statistical thermodynamics.

Lecturers at the Annual Meeting present theoretical treatments of molecular structures and reactions, experimental techniques such as spectroscopic and diffraction methods, and studies of properties and functions of clusters, liquids, solutions, molecular solids, polymers, liquid crystals, and biomaterials, as well as surface science.

The principles of the Annual Meeting are: (1) Sound substantiation of molecules and molecular aggregates by existing physical and chemical knowledge
(2) Understanding a variety of structures, reactions, and physical properties of substances studied under various conditions by such fundamental knowledge and new findings
(3) Searching for novel functions of substances and their control, creating substances with interesting properties, and understanding biological phenomena in terms of molecular theory

The Annual Meeting is designed for promoting molecular science through well-founded research reports and lively, deep-reaching discussion, as was actually seen in the first and second Annual Meetings held in Sendai and Fukuoka, respectively. The Annual Meeting has also been successful in providing researchers and students the opportunity for personal contact and academic exchange. We expect to meet many from molecular science and related fields at the third Annual Meeting in Nagoya University, which will certainly enable participants to find new knowledge, encounters, and possibilities.