The macromolecular and supramolecular architectures and materials symposium, MAM-14, will focus on providing companies with the opportunity to acquire new technologies and processes, while providing students and researchers the opportunity to present their work, says mineral processing research body Mintek scientist Hendriëtte van der Walt.

Themed From Innovation to Commercialisation, the international symposium will be held from November 23 to 27, and will also focus on the growing fields of nanotechnologies, nanotechnology education and careers, electrochemistry, biomedicines, chemical process modelling and nanomaterials for biological applications, as well as the toxicology and regulation of materials, notes Mintek scientist Dr Jessie Pillay.

“The focus of the symposium is to enable researchers and students to receive input and critique on their work, as well as potential commercialisation offers, from industry. Industry, in turn, can acquire promising research or proven technologies that will boost their processes or add value to their companies.”

Students, universities and research institutions, as well as corporate researchers, can submit their abstracts for consideration before May 31. Two hundred students will be able to present their research work as an oral presentation and can also present their work as a poster.

“We tried to reduce the costs as much as possible for students to attend so that they can get an idea of the career opportunities and the market value of molecular architecture work, as well as be exposed to the rigours of the commercial applications of their disciplines.”

The symposium is an opportunity for chemical and process professionals and aspiring students to showcase their work to other experts and businesses, says Van der Walt.

“Our work with computer modelling, for example, enables us to eliminate inapplicable research or molecular structures without doing physical research, focus our research work and improve our output. The symposium will include sessions on modelling theory, use and limitations,” she adds.

Early registration for the symposium ends on July 31 and it will be held at Emperor’s Palace, in Gauteng, near the OR Tambo International Airport. Guests will have a choice of selecting from three- to five-star accommodation, depending on their budgets, says Pillay.

Molecular architectures is a discipline that is used to create synthetic materials and compounds for biotechnology and process-engineering applications, especially in mineral beneficiation and processing, and focuses on the shapes and surfaces of molecules and their effects on chemical reactions.

This is the first time this international symposium will be held in Africa, which is a significant recognition of scientific work being done in the country and a potential boost to the research community, concludes Van der Walt.

More information is available at www.mam-14.com or by emailing secretariat@mam-14.com.

Story highlights:

* The international molecular architectures symposium will focus on nanotechnology, electrochemistry, biomedicines, chemical process modelling and nanomaterials for biological applications.
* This is the first time this international symposium will be held in Africa, which is a significant recognition of scientific work being done in the country and a potential boost to the research community.