The Austrian Chemistry Days, held from September 26–29 at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria, by the Austrian Chemical Society (GÖCH; Gesellschaft Östereichischer Chemiker) were a great success with nearly 450 attendees from around Europe. The conference provided a forum for presentation and discussion of recent progress in all areas of chemistry and chemical technologies.
Plenary lectures were given by internationally recognized scientists like
Alois Fürstner, MPI für Kohleforschung, Mühlheim, Germany, who spoke about case studies in catalysis-based natural product synthesis,
Robert Huber, Nobel Laureate 1988, who spoke about the foundation and application of protein crystallography and how he became a protein crystallographer, Lyndon Emsley, Université de Lyon, France, who spoke on studying materials science by NMR, from polymer structure and dynamics to catalytic surfaces, among others.
The Conference Dinner was held at the nicely located Johannes Kepler University.
Erich Leitner, Executive Director, GÖCH, cuts the IYC Austrian Chemistry Cake at the conference dinner.
Many students, particularly those in the final stages of their studies, benefit from the good cooperation between the GÖCH and the smaller chemical societies of neighbouring countries. The Austrian Chemical Days are a good chance for them to present their research in a larger European context. The presidents of the Slovenian Chemical Society, Professor Venčeslav Kaučič (right), and the Austrian Chemical Society, Professor Herbert Ipser (left), strongly support this and extend their cooperation with the presentation of Honorary Membership of the GÖCH to Kaučič.
Dr. Erich Leitner (left), GÖCH, and Professor Wolfram Koch, GDCh (German Chemical Society) extend the cooperation of the chemical socities further in an impromptu Executive Director meeting at the conference dinner.
The Chemistry Award and the Anton Paar Science Award 2011 were presented at the conference.
The Anton Paar Science Award is presented annually by the GÖCH. It is endowed with EUR 2,000 and donated by the Santner-Privatstiftung.
The GÖCH Chemistry Award is annually recognizing five diploma/master theses and three PhD theses. The Association of the Austrian Chemical Industry (FCIO) sponsors the diploma prizes with EUR 1000 and the PhD prizes with EUR 2000 each.
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Left to right.: o.Univ.Prof. Dr. Herbert Ipser (President of GÖCH), Dr. Karl J. J. Mayrhofer (Anton Paar Science Award 2011), Alfons Felice (proxy for Dr. Wolfgang Harreither), Mag. Paul Glanzer, DI. Richard Herchl, DI. Christine Artner, Mag. Sonja Lackner, Mag. Christoph Winkler, Dr. Renate Auer, Dr. Günter Mistlberger, and Univ.Prof. Dr. Peter Jaitner (Head of Scientific Committee).
