Conference: 2012 Midwest Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics conference. University of Minnesota, May 20-22, 2012

本提案要求为参加2012年中西部热力学和统计力学(MTSM)会议的本科生、研究生、博士后研究员和教职员工提供部分注册费用支持，该会议将于2012年5月20-22日在明尼苏达大学明尼阿波利斯校区举行。这次会议吸引了来自美国各地的与会者。中西部热力学和统计力学(MTSM)会议可能会延续促进热力学和统计力学研究与合作的长期传统，因为与会者利用出席人数较少的机会(约80人)在社区建立联系。这次会议将是一个介绍、讨论和辩论计算、理论和实验热力学和统计力学的最新研究的场所。热力学是科学和工程学科的主要支柱。统计力学提供了对热力学性质的额外的、必要的分子理解。MTSM会议为在统计力学的背景下学习热力学提供了一个很好的工具。更广泛的影响：会议参与者从资深教职员工到本科生和应届研究生。MTSM的一个吸引人的特点是它专注于研究生、博士后研究员和初级教职员工。按照设计，大部分演讲都是由年轻的科学家和工程师做的。对于年轻的研究人员来说，这些会议是一次美妙的学习经历。与过去一样，组织者将努力将学生的成本保持在最低水平，以鼓励学生参与。这项提案，加上明尼苏达大学S科学与工程学院、明尼苏达超级计算所和数字技术中心承诺的资金，将提供资金帮助支付会议费用。

Kaznessis, Yiannis N.CBET - 1162429Intellectual Merit: This proposal requests for partial support of registration costs for participating undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members to attend the 2012 Midwest Thermodynamic and Statistical Mechanics (MTSM) conference, to be held on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota, May 20-22, 2012. This conference has drawn attendees from all over the United States. The Midwest Thermodynamic and Statistical Mechanics (MTSM) Conference will likely continue the longstanding tradition of promoting research and collaborations in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics as participants take advantage of the small attendance (approximately 80 people) to establish contacts in the community. This conference will be a venue where the latest research on computational, theoretical and experimental thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are presented, discussed and debated. Thermodynamics is a major pillar of scientific and engineering disciplines. Statistical mechanics provides an additional, necessary molecular understanding of thermodynamic properties. The MTSM Conference provides a great vehicle to learn thermodynamics in the context of statistical mechanics. Broader Impacts: The meeting participants range from established senior faculty members to undergraduate and new graduate students. An attractive feature of MTSM is its focus on graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty members. By design, the majority of presentations are given by young scientists and engineers. These meetings are wonderful learning experiences for young researchers. As done in the past, the organizers will attempt to keep the costs at a minimum for students to encourage participation. This proposal, combined with funds committed by the University of Minnesota?s College of Science and Engineering, the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and the Digital Technology Center, will provide funding to help defray meeting expenses.