Conference: 2026 Crystal Engineering GRC and GRS

PART 1: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Crystal Engineering (GRC held in Newry, ME, from June 21-26, 2026) focuses on the design, assembly, and function of crystalline materials. An affiliated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will take place June 20-21, 2026, at the same venue. Crystals are solid materials whose atoms and molecules are arranged in highly ordered patterns. The way these building blocks are arranged determines the properties of the material. The conference promotes the progress of science by fostering collaboration across chemistry, materials science, crystallography, and computational modeling. Advances in crystal engineering enable the creation of new materials for applications in energy, health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. This international conference brings together leading researchers from universities, industry, and research institutions to share recent advances in the design and discovery of molecular crystals and framework solids. The program includes nine oral sessions with invited presenters and multiple poster sessions that highlight emerging research. Through scientific exchange, mentoring, and networking opportunities, the conference strengthens the research community and helps maintain innovation in advanced materials research. The meeting emphasizes participation of early-career researchers and supports the development of the next generation scientific workforce. This award, supported by the Solid State and Materials Program in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate, will support the participation of U.S. early career scientists, including graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

PART 2: TECHNICAL SUMMARY

The 2026 GRC on Crystal Engineering centers on fundamental and applied advances in the design and synthesis of molecular crystals and framework solids. The conference theme, "Crystal Engineering: Design, Assembly, and Function," highlights efforts to understand intermolecular interactions and control molecular self-assembly during crystallization in order to achieve targeted material properties. The program features nine oral sessions and multiple poster sessions that address experimental and computational strategies for crystal design, including crystallography, solid-state chemistry, materials characterization, computational chemistry, and data-driven approaches such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Presentations focus on structure-property relationships in crystalline materials, methods for crystallizing predicted target structures, and strategies for accelerating materials discovery. Applications discussed include energy storage and conversion, chemical sensing, pharmaceutical solids, and materials for agriculture and environmental sustainability. The associated GRS provides additional technical presentations by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering scientific exchange and professional development. Together, the conference and seminar provide an integrated forum for disseminating unpublished research, advancing theoretical and experimental methodologies, and strengthening the interdisciplinary field of crystal engineering.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Award Number: 2611291
Principal Investigator: Katherine Mirica
Funds Obligated: $10,000
State: RI