SYMPOSIUM 19: Molecular-level Processing and Chemical Engineering of Functional Materials

The synthesis of materials from molecular precursors offers a powerful approach for engineering compounds with precisely controlled compositions, crystal structures, and functional properties. Central to this strategy is the deliberate design of suitable precursors and a deep understanding of their transformation pathways – insight essential for advancing rational synthesis and enabling tailored, multifunctional systems. Compared to conventional top-down methods, molecular-level routes offer exceptional atom economy, superior control over chemical and phase purity, and access to unique morphologies and metastable phases. Yet significant challenges remain, most notably the limited mechanistic understanding of molecule-to-material transformations and the restricted availability of suitable precursors. 

This symposium brings together materials chemists, ceramists, and engineers pioneering innovative strategies for the synthesis, shaping, and integration of functional materials. Contributions will examine the role of precursor chemistry and solution-based additives across techniques, including sol–gel processing, solvothermal synthesis, electrospinning, microwave-assisted methods, CVD, and ALD. Particular emphasis will be placed on advanced manufacturing approaches such as 3D printing, chemically directed assembly, and post-synthetic modification, alongside emerging characterization methods that enable in situ diagnostics and fundamental insights into nucleation, growth, and self-assembly. 

A key objective is to bridge cutting-edge processing technologies with foundational materials chemistry principles to develop scalable, application-driven synthesis routes. The symposium will also assess the industrial relevance of chemically processed materials with respect to cost-efficiency and process simplicity and will explore the role of molecular precursor strategies in sustainable development – including contributions to circular economy models, waste minimization, and materials recycling. 

Proposed Session Topics 

• Precursor chemistry – structural and thermal transformations 

• Chemically processed nanostructures and on-surface nanochemistry 

• Two-dimensional materials and their chemical functionalization 

• Solution-processing of nanomaterials for optical, catalytic, and sensing applications 

• Molecular precursor approaches for vapor-phase synthesis (ALD, CVD) of materials 

• In-situ characterization of micro-structure evolution 

• New processing methods, 3D-printing, and knowledge-driven processing 

• Application of AI and ML in materials design, synthesis, and processing 

• Scaled-up production of precursor-derived materials 

• Materials integration and device applications 

• Micro- and nanomechanical testing 

Symposium Organizers 

• Peter Kroll, University of Texas at Arlington, USA 

• Yoshiyuki Sugahara, Waseda University, Japan 

• Samuel Bernard, University of Limoges, France 

• Christina Birkel, Arizona State University, USA 

• Emanuel Ionescu, Technische Universität Wien, Austria 

• Thomas Konegger, Technische Universität Wien, Austria 

• Ravi Kumar NV, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India 

• Sanjay Mathur, University of Cologne, Germany 

• Christelle Salameh, University of Montpellier, France 

• Gurpreet Singh, Kansas State University, USA 

Point of Contact 

• Peter Kroll; pkroll@uta.edu