A four-day symposium focusing on nucleation will be held during the 2004 Materials Research Society (MRS) Spring Meeting, Moscone West, San Francisco CA during April 12-16, 2004. Intellectual Merit Nucleation of new phases underlies processes and phenomena of interest to scientific fields ranging from atmospheric science through pharmaceutical, colloid, materials, and surface sciences to biomineralization, biotechnology, and medicine. It is believed that the underlying process of nucleation in these diverse systems is universal. There is, however, no consensus regarding the nature of this universal process. The purpose of the symposium is to make progress toward a fundamental understanding of nucleation. Broader Impact This symposium will bring scientists from diverse and interdisciplinary research areas together to examine the subject of nucleation and the extent to which the underpinnings of nucleation are universal. The funds obtained from the National Science Foundation will be used to support the participation of six speakers from the US (registration fees and travel costs). Preference will be given to young researchers (assistant professors and graduate students).
