Welcome to the web page of the CECAM Node CECAM-DE-SMSM
What is CECAM?
CECAM (Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire) is an organization devoted to the promotion of fundamental research on advanced computational methods and to their application to important problems in frontier areas of science and technology. As the name suggests, the traditional focus of CECAM has been atomistic and molecular simulations, applied to the physics and chemistry of condensed matter. Over the last few decades, powerful advances in computer hardware and software have supported the extension of these methods to a wide range of problems in materials science, biology and medicinal chemistry.
This Node
In 2009, a new nodal structure was established, in which local centers with specialized scientific strengths at various locations in Europe contribute to CECAM’s activities. The present Node (SMSM = Statistical Mechanics and Soft Matter) was founded on November 1, 2010.
Research Topics
The Node views itself as particularly strong in various aspects of Computational Soft Matter Science, including the themes:
- Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics, with emphasis on molecular aspects;
- understanding Soft Matter systems like e. g. polymers, colloids, liquid crystals;
- Materials Science in terms of both qualitative and quantitative aspects;
- Multiscale Modeling ranging from electronic structure to hydrodynamics of complex systems;
- development of innovative algorithms;
- High Performance Computing.
It therefore strives to foster science in these fields by various scientific activities, in particular
- workshops, schools, international conferences;
- hands-on training on computer programs;
- advanced teaching;
- hosting of guest stays;
- collaborative research projects;
- mutual exchange of PhD students and postdocs.
Participating Institutions
SMSM is a multi-institution Node, formed by a consortium of four different institutions:
Local Research Environment
Apart from the genuine CECAM activities (see above), the Node’s researchers are also integrated into various research associations:
- DFG SFB TRR 146 “Multiscale Simulation Methods for Soft Matter Systems”
- DFG SFB 1551 “Polymer Concepts in Cellular Function”
- DFG SFB 1552 “Defects and Defect Engineering in Soft Matter”
- DFG Research Training Group GRK 2516 “Structure Formation of Soft Matter at Interfaces”
- DFG Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075 “Data-Integrated Simulation Science (SimTech)”, integrated into Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science
- DFG Research Group FOR 2811 “Adaptive Polymer Gels with Model-Network Structure”
- BMBF Cluster4Future nanodiag BW: “Nanopore technology for the molecular diagnostics of the future”
- EuroHPC JU Centre of Excellence MultiXscale
- Mainz Max Planck Graduate Center
- Mainz Institute of Multiscale Modeling M3ODEL
- Consortium FAIRmat