International conference
The conferences have been organised by Unilever together with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, the Indian National Science Academy, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK), and the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK).
Bio substrates / systems
The foods we consume and the personal and home care products we use daily belong to a fascinating world of complex, hierarchically structured material systems. The substrates on which we use them, for example fabrics, leather, hair; and the sensory organs such as skin, tongue, nose and eyes, are also equally complex supra-molecular structures, organised over several length scales, from nanometers to centimeters.
Dynamics of complex systems
The dynamic interactions between the two groups of materials in turn, are also multi-scale phenomena. Therefore, "designing" such material systems from first principles, for delivering desired functional performance and unique sensorial experience, is a delightfully demanding scientific and engineering challenge.
Themes for the conference:
Multi-scale structures and functional properties of consumer products
Multi-scale structures and properties of (bio)substrates/systems
Design and preparation of structured materials at molecular, meso and process scales
Measuring and modeling structured materials at molecular, meso and process scales
Scientific advisors
Prof. M. Kwauk,
Director Emeritus, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Dr. R. A. Mashelkar,
President, Indian National Science Academy, Deputy President, Institution of Chemical Engineers, UK
Chair
Prof. Jinghai Li
Vice President, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Invited speakers
Dr Jim Crilly, Unilever
Designing multi-scale structures for desired property and sensory experience of ice cream.
Prof. Lynn Gladden, Cambridge University, UK
Ultra-fast magnetic resonance imaging of complex fluid flow, diffusion and reaction in complex media.
Prof. Lei Jiang, Institute of Chemistry, CAS, China
Designing superamphiphobic and superhydrophobic nano-structured interfaces with controlled wetability
Prof. Haruma Kawaguchi, Keio University, Japan
Preparation and characterization of smart particles
Prof. Jinghai Li, Institute of Process Engineering, CAS, China
Multi-scale modelling of heterogeneous complex structures and processes
Prof. Junbai Li, Institute of Chemistry, China
Self-assembly of nano-structured microcapsules and complex films for controlled release.
Prof. L Mahadevan, Harvard University, USA
Structural mechanics, rheology and dynamics of multi-scaled biological substrates/systems
Prof. Samir Mitragotri, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Modelling and controlling skin barrier properties for controlled transdermal delivery.
Prof. Masayoshi Okubo, Kobe University, Japan
Modelling and controlling morphology of composite polymer particles
Prof. David Quere, CNRS, France
Bio-mimicking multi-scale structures and wetting properties of surfaces – the lotus effect.
Prof. Jonathan Seville, The University of Birmingham, UK
Particle-particle interaction in relation to the formation and properties of structured materials.
Prof. M A Srinivasan, MIT, USA
Multiscale phenomenon of touch stimulus and its perception
Prof. Gleb Sukhorukov, Queen Mary University London, UK
Preparation, characterization and application of polyelectrolyte microcapsules
Prof. Matthew Tirrell, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Designing controlled surface properties by surface modification with amphiphilic polymers and bimolecular materials.
Dr. George van Aken, Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Netherlands
Engineering microstructures and properties of foods
Dr Peter Vukusic, Exeter University
Multiscale photonic structures in Biology
Prof. Xi Zhang, Tsinghua University, China
Layer-by-layer self assembly
