Confinement Control on the Molecular Level: Principles, Mechanisms, Applications

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?
Whereas selected specific cases and systems have been studied by experimental computational means, the prediction of confinement effects remains challenging due to a lack of general rules and a common language. With the help of the WE-Heraeus foundation, we will bring together experimentalists and theoreticians to discuss recent findings, match these with confinement effects in 2D, 1D, or 0D spaces, and develop general guidelines that will be applied in calculations and machine learning.
In the interdisciplinary WE-Heraeus seminar, we will connect early career researchers with established scientists to create solid scientific networks. The substantial number of female senior researchers (see Chapter 3) will contribute to a diverse community representation and provide new role models for the early career researchers.

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.