Dear Members and Friends of the ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry:

Welcome to the world of Colloids and Surface Chemistry, a subset of Chemistry that currently encompasses cutting-edge areas of science such as catalysis, microelectronics, coatings, tribology, biointerfaces, self assembly, and nanotechnology. These sub-areas of chemistry form the foundation for new technologies that promote our economy, help maintain a clean and flourishing environment, and increase our quality of life. The Colloid and Surface Chemistry Community is focus on the study of the chemistry and physics of systems operating on the submicron level, an interest driven by a combination of scientific curiosity and the potential of novel applications. No wonder the Colloid and Surface Chemistry Division continues to grow in both membership numbers and activity.

In 2007, look out for our exciting programming in the Spring (Chicago) and Fall (Boston) National Meetings as well as the 81st ACS Colloid & Surface Science Symposium to be held in June at the University of Delware. The March meeting features symposia in biological surface chemistry, fabrication of colloidal atoms and molecules, nanoparticles, nanoscience-fostered advances in sustainability, and electrocatalysis. That program also includes a number of symposia honoring the winners of the 2007 ACS Adamson, Colloid and Surface Chemistry, George Olah, and Somorjai Awards, as well as one honoring Prof. George Whitesides, the 2007 Priestley Medalist. In August, the program will include additional symposia on nanomaterials for both biological and catalytic applications, advanced materials for conversions and separations in energy applications, biocolloids, surfactant self-assembly, chemically and topologically textured surfaces, modeling of heterogeneous catalysis, and plasmonic and electronic interfaces.

The Division’s poster session is held on the Monday evening of each National meeting, and there is an open Division business meeting at the start of the poster session, which you are welcome to attend. The poster session includes contributions from researchers at all levels of their careers (students, post-docs, faculty, and industrial and government scientists and engineers), and is accompanied by a student poster competition: All graduate and undergraduate students presenting posters are automatically entered in the competition, and there are several winners from each meeting.

We sincerely hope to see you at one of our meetings in 2007. Not only does the Colloid and Surface Chemistry Division promote an important area of science, we’re a great bunch of people, with much comradery and broad interdisciplinary interest. If you’re not already a member of the division, we hope you will join soon. If you are already a member but would like to become more involved, please contact me at zaera@ucr.edu.

Sincerely,

Francisco Zaera