International Workshop on Molecular Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water

Shanghai Water07 is sponsored and organizedby by Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and supported by National natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Water is probably the most important and fascinating material in the world. Its structure, particularly near interfaces and when confined in small spaces is still under intense investigation. Recently there has been a renewed interest on this topic due to great progress in theoretical and experimental tools over the last decade. Water confined in nanoscale dimensions plays a crucial role in cell and molecular biology, affecting the structure and dynamics of proteins, their function, folding and unfolding, etc. A better understanding of the properties of water at interfaces may offer new solutions to important and practical issues, including environmental problems of atmospheric chemistry, rock erosion, etc. Contamination of drinking water by dissolution of harmful species, etc. aggravates the problem of lack of clean drinking water worldwide, mostly in developing countries. An understanding of the interfacial water properties is the basis of technologies for desalination, purification or waste water recovery. The workshop provides an excellent opportunity for researchers from different disciplines to review the latest progress on interfacial water, including biological water, and exchange their experience, progress and ideas. The workshop will also discuss how the understanding of the interfacial water contributes to the fresh water industry as well as other water-related modern industries.