Past Conference

Frontiers in Photochemistry Conference

Date

18 Feb - 21 Feb 2018

Location

Cancun, Mexico

Early Bird - Expired  •  Talk Submission - Expired  •  Poster Submission - Expired  •  Registration & Payment Deadline - Expired

Report

Frontiers in Photochemistry Conference

Cancun, Mexico, 18th - 21st February 2018

This new conference on the Frontiers in Photochemistry took place in Cancun, Mexico from 18 to 21 of February 2018. The significance of this meeting was evident from the many high-level speakers it attracted and the lively discussions during each session.  

The meeting was chaired by Maria Abrahamsson, associate professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden and Amanda Morris, associate professor at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, US.

The speakers at the meeting represented all corners of the world and included the following senior scientists as speakers: Shane Ardo (University of California, Irvine, US), Julia Weinstein (University of Sheffield, UK), Ksenija Glusac (University of Illinois at Chicago/Argonne, US), Prashant Jain (University of Illinois, US), Oliver Wenger (University of Basel, Switzerland), Matthew Fuchter (Imperial College London, UK), Jeffrey Rack (University of New Mexico, US), Felix Castellano (North Carolina State University, US), Curtis Berlinguette (University of British Columbia, Canada), Claudia Turro (Ohio State University, US), Luis Mario Baraldo (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina), Alexis Ostrowski (Bowling Green State University, US), Frank Quina (University of São Paulo, Brazil), Michael Wasielewski (Northwestern University, US), Naomi Ginsberg (University of California, Berkeley, US) Jier Huang (Marquette University, US), Joseph Hupp (Northwestern University, US), Dongho Kim (Yonsei University, South Korea), Eric Vauthey (University of Geneva, Switzerland), Zhi-Heng Loh (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), James Gardner (Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden), Henrik Ottosson (Uppsala University, Sweden), Igor Alabugin (Florida State University, US), Malcom Forbes (Bowling Green State University, US). In addition, the two chairs also decided to give several doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to talk at the meeting. It was not an easy task for the jury to select three short talk awardees - Marija Zoric (University of Illinois at Chicago), Steven Sartor (University of Colorado at Boulder) and Victor Gray (Chalmers University of Technology).

The meeting was very interactive and with a lively discussion after each talk, sometimes to the point that it was hard to stay on time. The science presented was extremely high-level, and many participants expressed a desire to come back in two years. The meeting also brought together scientists that typically don’t come together at other, more focused meetings and conferences and many new collaborations were discussed. The meeting is unique in its breadth of the scope and the participants it attracts. It does fill a need in the photochemistry community.

Things to improve for the next meeting include increasing the number of female speakers and session chairs, increasing the number participants, and increase the amount of sponsorship.   

The meeting was expertly organized and supported by Fusion Conferences, Ltd.

Synopsis

The conference will focus on the frontiers (or cutting-edge) of research in the photochemical sciences. Topics to be discussed are:

  • Spintronics
  • Photon Fusion/Singlet Fission
  • Perovskites
  • Energy Transfer within Metal Organic Frameworks
  • Photo-acids/photo-bases and photo-proton transport

Join the conference LinkedIn group to keep up to date with announcements and latest news concerning the conference.

Target Audience

Scientists working in the broad field of photochemical sciences will be interested in the conference. This may include those from academia, national laboratories, research institutes, and/or related industries. We expect a good mix of both young, emerging chemists and established leaders in the field. Additionally, efforts will be undertaken to provide representation across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Learning Objectives

  1. Introduce the newest advances (discovery, approaches, etc) in the field of photochemistry through presentations (oral and poster) and lively discussion.
  2. Develop a deeper understanding of photochemical principles, current research challenges, and the future of the field.
  3. Provide an environment for cross-talk between photochemical disciplines and to promote collaborations.

Student Offer

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for students! Register an academic at the standard rate of $1,798.00 and bring a student for only $745. Unfortunately, Postdocs are not eligible. Both registration packages include; accommodation for the 18th, 19th, 20th February 2018 (on a shared basis for students, note guest rooms are open plan) and a 24hour all-inclusive food and beverage package for the conference period. Once you have registered and paid in full, please contact Meredith Willmott (Meredith@fusion-conferences.com) to obtain a special registration link for your student.

Confirmed Invited Speakers 

Shane Ardo (University of California Irvine)
PROTONIC SOLAR CELLS BY DYE SENSITIZATION OF PASSIVE ION-EXCHANGE MEMBRANES WITH PHOTOACIDS

Luis Mario Baraldo (University of Buenos Aires)
EXCITED-STATE DYNAMICS IN CYANIDE-BRIDGED RUTHENIUM POLYPYRIDINES

Curtis Berlinguette (The University of British Columbia)
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THREE NOBEL PRIZES FOR ELECTRON TRANSFER

Felix N. Castellano (North Carolina State University)

Jennifer Dionne (Stanford University)
INSIDE OUT: VISUALIZING PLASMONICALLY-POWERED PHOTOCHEMICAL PROCESSES WITHIN INDIVIDUAL NANOSTRUCTURES

Matthew Fuchter (Imperial College London)
AZOHETEROARENES: NOVEL PHOTOSWITCHES WITH TUNABLE PROPERTIES AND MULTIPLE FUNCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

James Gardner (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Naomi S. Ginsberg (University of California, Berkeley)

Ksenija Glusac (University of Illinois at Chicago/Argonne)
METAL-FREE MODELS FOR OXYGEN EVOLUTION AND REDUCTION CATALYSIS

Jier Huang (Marquette University)
IN SITU PROBES OF ACTIVE SPECIES IN METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORK PHOTOCATALYSTS

Joseph T. Hupp (Northwestern University)
USING LIGHT TO MOVE EXCITONS, ELECTRONS, HOLES, AND IONS THROUGH MOFS AND MOF-SUPPORTED CATALYSTS

Prashant K. Jain (University of Illinois)
CARBON DIOXIDE TO HYDROCARBON CONVERSION ON PLASMONIC CATALYSTS

Dongho Kim (Yonsei University)
CHARACTERIZATION OF EXCITON DYNAMICS IN FUNCTIONAL Π-ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Zhi-Heng Loh (Nanyang Technological University)

James McCusker (Michigan State University)

Alexis Ostrowski (Bowling Green State University)
HARNESSING PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOPHYSICS OF METAL COMPLEXES FOR RESPONSIVE MATERIALS

Henrik Ottosson (Uppsala University)
PUTTING BAIRD'S RULE ON EXCITED STATE AROMATICITY AND ANTIAROMATICITY INTO ACTION

Frank Quina (University of São Paulo)
EXCITED STATE PROTON TRANSFER DYNAMICS OF NATURAL PLANT PIGMENTS

Jeffrey Rack (The University of New Mexico)
ISOMERIZATION IN PHOTOCHROMIC RUTHENIUM COMPLEXES

Claudia Turro (The Ohio State University)
NEW RU(III) COMPLEXES WITH EXTENDED RED ABSORPTION FOR PHOTOINDUCED DRUG DELIVERY

Eric Vauthey (University of Geneva)
SYMMETRY-BREAKING CHARGE TRANSFER IN THE EXCITED STATE

Michael R. Wasielewski (Northwestern University)

Julia A. Weinstein (The University of Sheffield)
TOWARDS DIRECTING PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER IN DONOR-BRIDGE-ACCEPTOR ASSEMBLIES WITH BOND-SPECIFIC IR-EXCITATION

Confirmed Speakers

Invited Speakers
Matthew Fuchter

Matthew Fuchter

Professor of Chemistry, Imperial College London

Curtis Berlinguette

Curtis Berlinguette

Professor, The University of British Columbia

Alexis Ostrowski

Alexis Ostrowski

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry-Bowling Green State University

Henrik Ottosson

Henrik Ottosson

Assoc. Prof., Uppsala University

Frank Quina

Frank Quina

Full Professor, Instituto de Química Universidade de São Paulo

Prashant Jain

Prashant Jain

Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Claudia Turro

Claudia Turro

Professor, The Ohio State University

Julia Weinstein

Julia Weinstein

Professor, The University of Sheffield

Ksenija Glusac

Ksenija Glusac

Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago

Shane Ardo

Shane Ardo

Assistant Professor, University of California Irvine

Eric Vauthey

Eric Vauthey

Professor, University of Geneva

Dongho Kim

Dongho Kim

Professor, Yonsei University

Joseph Hupp

Joseph Hupp

Professor, Northwestern University

Jeffrey Rack

Jeffrey Rack

Professor, University of New Mexico

Jier Huang

Jier Huang

Assistent Professor, Marquette University

Luis M. Baraldo

Luis M. Baraldo

Profesor Asociado, Universidad de Buenos Aires - Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales

Zhi-Heng Loh

Zhi-Heng Loh

Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University

James Gardner

James Gardner

Associate Professor, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Michael Wasielewski

Michael Wasielewski

Professor, Northwestern University

Felix Castellano

Felix Castellano

Professor, North Carolina State University

Malcolm Forbes

Malcolm Forbes

Professor of Chemistry and Director, Center for Pure & Applied Photosciences, Bowling Green State University

Naomi Ginsberg

Naomi Ginsberg

Professor, Univ.of California at Berkeley

Programme

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2018

14:00 – 14:45

Registration & Reception

14:00 – 14:45

Group Welcome Lunch
*Kalmia Buffet Restaurant*

14:45 – 15:00

Opening Comments

Excited State Chemistry – Charge Transfer and Catalysis
Session Chair: James Gardner

15:00 – 15:30

Shane Ardo
University of California, Irvine

PROTONIC SOLAR CELLS BY DYE SENSITIZATION OF PASSIVE ION-EXCHANGE MEMBRANES WITH PHOTOACIDS

15:30 – 15:45

Christoph Kaiser
Goethe Universität Frankfurt

A PYRIDIN-SPIROPYRAN DERIVATIVE AS PERSISTENT, REVERSIBLE PHOTOACID IN WATER

15:45 – 16:15

Julia Weinstein
The University of Sheffield

TOWARDS DIRECTING PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER IN DONOR-BRIDGE-ACCEPTOR ASSEMBLIES WITH BOND-SPECIFIC IR-EXCITATION

16:15 – 16:45  

Refreshment Break

16:45 – 17:15

Ksenija Glusac
University of Illinois at Chicago/Argonne

METAL-FREE MODELS FOR OXYGEN EVOLUTION AND REDUCTION CATALYSIS

17:15 – 17:45

Prashant Jain
University of Illinois

CARBON DIOXIDE TO HYDROCARBON CONVERSION ON PLASMONIC CATALYSTS

17:45 – 18:00  

Stefan Ilic
University of Illinois at Chicago

UTILIZING NAD+/NADH ANALOGS FOR FUEL FORMING PHOTOREDUCTIONS

18:00 – 18:30

Oliver Wenger
University of Basel

PROTON-COUPLED ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTIONS FOR LIGHT-DRIVEN ACCUMULATION OF REDOX EQUIVALENTS

18:30 – 18:45

Alfredo Angeles-Boza
University of Connecticut

A CHANGE OF SKIN: ANALYSIS OF C-13 KIES IN CO2 REDUCTION REACTIONS

18:45 – 19:00

Steven Sartor
University of Colorado at Boulder

A TALE OF TWO CTS: EXPLOITING CHARGE TRANSFER STATES FOR MAXIMIZING INTERSYSTEM CROSSING YIELDS IN ORGANIC PHOTOREDOX CATALYSTS

19:00 – 19:15

Chern-Hooi Lim
Colorado State University

VISIBLE LIGHT-DRIVEN SYNTHESIS WITH ORGANOCATALYZED PHOTOREDOX CATALYSIS AND INTERMOLECULAR CHARGE TRANSFER

19:15

Dinner at Leisure

MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2018

07:00 – 08:30

Breakfast
*Kalmia Buffet Restaurant*

Photophysics of Photoswitches, and Photon Upconversion Materials
Session Chair: Alexis Ostrowski

08:30 – 09:00

Matthew Fuchter
Imperial College London

AZOHETEROARENES: NOVEL PHOTOSWITCHES WITH TUNABLE PROPERTIES AND MULTIPLE FUNCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

09:00 – 09:30

Jeffrey Rack
University of New Mexico

ISOMERIZATION IN PHOTOCHROMIC RUTHENIUM COMPLEXES

09:30 – 10:00

Felix Castellano
North Carolina State University

PHOTOCHEMICAL UPCONVERSION WITH MLCT PHOTOSENSITIZERS

10:00 – 10:30

Refreshment Break and Group Photo

10:30 – 11:00

Curtis Berlinguette
University of British Columbia

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THREE NOBEL PRIZES FOR ELECTRON TRANSFER

11:00 – 11:15

Victor Gray
Chalmers University of Technology

TOWARDS INTRA-MOLECULAR TRIPLET-TRIPLET ANNIHILATION IN SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURES

11:15 – 11:30

Joseph Cardon
University of California

PROGRESS TOWARDS TWO-ELECTRON TRANSFER CATALYSIS IN DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

11:30 – 16:30

Lunch at Leisure & Free Time

12:40 – 15:45

Group Trip: Snorkeling (signups required in advance)

Excited State Processes in Supramolecular Systems
Session Chair: Jier Huang

16:30 – 16:45

Ronaldo Barros Orfão Junior
Universidade Federal do ABC

SUBSTITUENT AND ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS ON THE EXCITED STATE INTRAMOLECULAR PROTON TRANSFER FOR IMIDAZOLYL-PHENOLIC DERIVATIVES

16:45 – 17:00

Marija Zoric

University of Illinois at Chicago

THE O–O BOND FORMATION IN METAL-FREE SYSTEMS: COVALENTLY-LINKED XANTHENOL DIMERS AND THEIR OXIDATIVE BEHAVIOR

17:00 – 17:30

Claudia Turro
Ohio State University

NEW COMPLEXES WITH EXTENDED RED ABSORPTION FOR PHOTOINDUCED DRUG DELIVERY

17:30 – 18:00

Refreshment Break

18:00 – 18:30

Luis Mario Baraldo
University of Buenos Aires

EXCITED-STATE DYNAMICS IN CYANIDE-BRIDGED RUTHENIUM POLYPYRIDINES

18:30 – 19:00

Alexis Ostrowski
Bowling Green State University

HARNESSING PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOPHYSICS OF METAL COMPLEXES FOR RESPONSIVE MATERIALS

19:00 – 19:30

Frank Quina
University of São Paulo

EXCITED STATE PROTON TRANSFER DYNAMICS OF NATURAL PLANT PIGMENTS

19:30

Dinner at Leisure

TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2018

07:00 – 09:00

Breakfast
*Kalmia Buffet Restaurant*

Spin and Solar Energy
Session Chair: Shane Ardo

09:00 – 09:30

Michael Wasielewski
Northwestern University

SELF-ASSEMBLING ORGANIC NANOSTRUCTURES TARGETING SOLAR ENERGY CAPTURE

09:30 – 10:00

Maria Abrahamsson
Chalmers University of Technology

ENERGY AND CHARGE TRANSFER IN MOLECULAR MATERIALS FOR SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION

10:00 – 10:15

Eli Espinoza
University of California Riverside

DIPOLE MODULATION OF CHARGE TRANSFER IN ANTHRANILAMIDES

10:15 – 10:30  

Sangeeta Yadav
Uppsala University

TOWARDS HIGH-SPIN COMPOUNDS STABILIZED BY BAIRD-AROMATICITY

10:30 – 11:00

Naomi Ginsberg
University of California, Berkeley

DYNAMIC OPTICAL IMAGING OF ENERGY MIGRATION IN FUNCTIONAL MOLECULAR MATERIALS

11:00 – 16:00

Lunch at Leisure & Free Time

Energy Transfer and Catalysis in Macromolecular Systems
Session Chair: Julia Weinstein

16:00 – 16:30

Jier Huang
Marquette University

EXPLORING INTRINSIC PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF ZEOLITIC IMIDAZOLATE FRAMEWORKS

16:30 – 17:00

Amanda Morris
Virginia Tech

MECHANISTIC INSIGHT INTO ENERGY TRANSFER PROCESSES IN MOFS

17:00 – 17:30

Joseph Hupp
Northwestern University

USING LIGHT TO MOVE EXCITONS, ELECTRONS, HOLES, AND IONS THROUGH MOFS AND MOF-SUPPORTED CATALYSTS

17:30 – 18:00

Dongho Kim
Yonsei University

CHARACTERIZATION OF EXCITON DYNAMICS IN FUNCTIONAL Π-ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

18:00 – 18:15

Valtýr Freyr Hlynsson
Lund University

IRON COMPLEXES AS PROMISING PHOTOSENSITIZERS

18:15 – 19:00

Free Time

19:00

*Gala Dinner & Short Talk Awards*

WEDNESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2018

07:00 – 09:00

Breakfast
*Kalmia Buffet Restaurant*

Developments in Excited State Chemistry
Session Chairs: Maria Abrahamsson and Amanda Morris

09:00 – 09:30

Eric Vauthey
University of Geneva

SYMMETRY-BREAKING CHARGE TRANSFER IN THE EXCITED STATE

09:30 – 10:00

Zhi-Heng Loh
Nanyang Technological University

OBSERVATION OF AN EXCITONIC QUANTUM COHERENCE IN CDSE NANOCRYSTALS

10:00 – 10:30

James Gardner
KTH Royal Institute of Technology

LIGHT ABSORBING, HOLE TRANSPORTING RUII(BIPYRIDINE)32+ THIN FILMS: EXCITED STATE DYNAMICS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION

10:30 – 11:00

Refreshment Break

11:00 – 11:30

Henrik Ottosson
Uppsala University

PUTTING BAIRD'S RULE ON EXCITED STATE AROMATICITY AND ANTIAROMATICITY INTO ACTION

11:30 – 11:45

Igor Alabugin
Florida State University

DISCOVERY OF THE MISSING C1−C5 CYCLOAROMATIZATION REACTION: HOW TO USE TRIPLET STATE ANTIAROMATICITY FOR MAKING FULVENES AND FORMALDEHYDE

11:45 – 12:15  

Malcolm Forbes
Bowling Green State University

NOT SO FREE RADICALS

12:15 – 12:30  

Closing Comments

 

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Venue & Location

Fiesta Americana Condesa

This stylish hotel features contemporary Mexican architecture, including one of the largest and most impressive thatched-roof "palapas" in the entire country. There are cultural activities, arts and crafts and sports programs to keep you constantly entertained, plus time to relax and enjoy the Mayan culture, soak up the Caribbean sunshine and revel in the international ambiance that settles in after the sun goes down.

Throughout your stay delegates will enjoy a full meal plan, inclusive of beverages. Take your pick from the aromatic Asian delights at Kaumbu, traditional fare at El Mexicano, delicious international cuisine at Kalmia Buffet or perhaps sample the sumptuous Italian dishes at Rosato. There are also several other dining opportunities such as the Cevichería, Pizzeria, Sushi Corner, pool and lounge bar areas. The Gala Night with either a Mayan or Caribbean theme takes place on the third evening of the conference with a mouth-watering feast of local cuisine, an open bar and amazing local entertainment.  We welcome all delegates and their accompanying persons to the Gala Night – a truly fun filled night not to be missed!

Hotel Facilities

  • Lagoon Pool
  • Extensive Health Club and Spa
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi in guest rooms and throughout hotel and conference areas

The Fiesta Americana Condesa, Cancun is the 2015 Winner of the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and also received the Travellers Choice Award in 2014. 

The remains of ancient Mayan cities are scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula and no trip to Cancun would be complete without a visit to these majestic temples and pyramids set amongst lush tropical vegetation. We will be working very closely with a reputable tour company who will be organising trips to Tulum, Chichen Itza, Coba and Xcaret to name a few, some of which may require a full day. Full day excursions will be arranged pre or post conference and may be on an individual or group booking so we would recommend booking extra nights to extend your stay as early as possible to avoid disappointment should these excursions be of interest to you and/or your party. For further information please contact us.

General Information

Venue Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Address

Fiesta Americana Condesa, Blvd.Kukulkán km 16.5 Zona Hotelera, Cancun, 77500 Mexico

Nearest Airport

Cancun International Airport

Location

Cancun is a delightful combination of natural beauty, islands, ecological reserves and white sandy beaches. However, besides sun, sand and sea, this destination also offers an infinite variety of underwater activities to choose from: the diving, snorkelling and fishing here are outstanding and you will find an undersea world packed with tropical fish that live on the second largest barrier reef in the world. Sports enthusiasts might choose one of the many eco-tourism activities, such as cycling or hiking through the tropical forest or kayaking through mangroves, or something a little more adventuresome, like zip lining through the treetops.

Apart from the more well-known ancient Mayan archealogical sites such as Tulum, Cobá and Chichén Itzá you may like to visit the Aktun Chen caverns, voted one of the Top 10 underwater walks by National Geographic described as a truly magical experience.

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Conference Manager

Jack Peters

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