Participants of the 2nd Workshop for the new 'Centre for Molecular Water Science (CMWS)'. (Credit: DESY)
More than 100 participants attended the 2nd workshop for preparing the new 'Centre for Molecular Water Science (CMWS)' at DESY on 4-5 December 2018. During this workshop experts from different areas of water-related sciences worked together to pave the way for the new interdisciplinary centre at DESY. CMWS will bring together key experts from different areas of water-related sciences with the common goal of achieving a detailed molecular understanding of water. This includes the dynamic processes in water and at water interfaces, which are highly relevant for chemistry, biology, earth, and the environment as well as for technology.
The scope of the centre will range from studies of the fundamental properties of water to its role in real-time chemical dynamics, and biochemical- and biological reactions. It will also cover water in geo- and astrophysical processes and in nanoscience and technology. Theresearch programme will build on the suite of methods (coherent ultrafast imaging and scattering techniques, novel sample manipulation technologies) available at DESY's light sources PETRA III, FLASH and the European XFEL, as well as on the substantial expertise in simulation and theory. Cooperations with national and international partners (both in Europe and overseas) via collaborative platforms and joint appointments will be a key ingredient of the centre from the very beginning, as will a Knowledge, Innovation and Technology transfer interface.
The 2nd workshop follows the 2018 Research Course and International Symposium on 'Trends in Water Research' held February 26 to March 1, 2018 at DESY. At this symposium a group of local and external experts met to initiate steps towards the foundation of the CMWS.
The aim of this 2nd workshop was to bring together the partners to identify, discuss and further elaborate the questions driving the science of the CMWS. The outcome shall be summarised in a revised "White Paper" defining the scope of the CMWS. Starting 2019 the centre will commence an 'Early Science Program' addressing relevant questions in the five most relevant pillars of the centre.
Contact for further information: Gerhard Grübel, Melanie Schnell and Felix Lehmkühler (DESY)
