From February 19 -21 Ras Al Khaimah will play host once more to an elite group of scientists acknowledged as the top minds in their respective fields. They will be participating in IWAM-2017 (International Workshops on Advanced Materials). IWAM is organised and sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Centre for Advanced Materials (RAK-CAM) and this year’s event will be the ninth in a series that stretches back to 2009.
RAK-CAM is chaired by Professor Tony Cheetham of the Department of Materials Science at the University of Cambridge, and has a Scientific Advisory Board that includes some stellar names in the world of advanced materials. RAK-CAM embraces materials science in its broadest sense, from well-known construction materials such as concrete and glass through to the sophisticated materials that underpin the operation of solar cells, catalytic converters, computers and cell phones.
Dr. Richard Fowler, Technical Development Manager at Stevin Rock, commented: “This is a unique opportunity, almost unparalleled in the scientific community, for young scientists to interact with, learn from and discuss their current research with a group of world-class scientists from around the world.”
Discussions often extend beyond scientific research as professors offer career advice to students studying in the field. This year’s workshop will focus on “Innovation in Energy Materials” and will offer a tutorial on solar cells by Andrew Holmes from The University of Melbourne. As Professor Cheetham, Chairman of RAK-CAM, sums it up, "the synergism produced by bringing together more than 100 researchers and students from 18 countries with research in diverse areas of the field of advanced materials is expected to enhance scientific collaboration, which will take this field a step closer to realizing its enormous potential for the betterment of mankind".
It is anticipated that up to 16 fellows of the prestigious Royal Society will be present at the workshops this year. Amongst the most renowned of them is Professor C.N.R. Rao, one of only 45 people to have been honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award and celebrated for his work in solid-state and structural chemistry. Other speakers at the workshops include M.I.T. Professor Mildred Dresselhaus (“the Queen of Carbon Science”), Professor Michael Klein of Temple University, Professor Sir Richard Friend from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Professor Sami El-Shall of Virginia Commonwealth University. In all over 100 researchers from 18 countries will participate in the workshops.
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has been the inspiration for RAK-CAM from its first beginnings. His recognition that education and science are key catalysts for transforming and improving society ensures them a central role in the Emirate’s future development.
RAK-CAM’s diversity of purpose is reflected in this year’s programme. There will be over 17 invited talks by world leaders in advanced materials, addressing research topics that have the potential for significant impact in developing clean and renewable forms of energy, nano medicine for improved diagnostics and therapy, and a clean, healthy environment. There will also be over 100 presentations, posters and seminars presented by a group of the world’s top scientists conducting research in this field.