POSTECH News
Max Planck POSTECH/Korea (MPK) Holds Symposium on Frontiers in Materials Science
Materials science has become one of the most competitive fields for talent in science and engineering as the race to develop and find next-generation materials heats up worldwide.
Reflecting this current trend and increasing interest in materials science, many world-leading scientists flocked to the 2015 MPK Symposium on Frontiers in Materials Sciences held on June 29-30 at the POSCO International Center. Focused on the subjects of optics, materials and functionality, the symposium provided a platform to introduce cutting-edge research on attosecond science, nano science, and complex phase materials.
Many outstanding scientists graced the symposium with their presence. Dr. Philip Bucksbaum, a professor of Physics at Stanford University and the former President of the Optical Society, spoke about “Ultrafast X-ray Science at LCLS.” Dr. Philip Kim, a professor of Physics at Harvard University and a top authority on graphene gave a talk on “Physics Near Change Neutrality of Graphene.” Other distinguished participants included the heads of top research institutes associated with the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften, also known as MPG). Researchers were from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Physics of Complex Systems, MPI for Iron Research, MPI of Quantum Optics, MPI for Solid State Research, and MPK.
MPK was established in 2011 with an aim to introduce to Korea the advanced research institute operation and management methods of MPG. MPK is to build a foundation for enhancing competitiveness in basic science research in Korea.
The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is a world-renowned research organization founded in 1948. Including the 15 winners from its predecessor organization, MPG has produced 33 Nobel Prize winners in total; it is known to have the largest number of Nobel Prizes in the world awarded to a single organization.