COST convention at BAM in Adlershof: Group photo
Source: BAM
Scientific work is changing: it has become more networked, interdisciplinary, collaborative and data-intensive. The COST initiative (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) involving 38 European countries and Israel promotes cross-border networking in which researchers from Europe and around the world work together. During the so-called COST Actions, researchers can collaborate on important scientific topics, and gain new networks that are important for advancing both their research and careers. Many BAM scientists are participating in various COST Actions.
This year, participants in the current COST Action ‘Mechanochemistry for Sustainable Industry’ (Mech@SusInd) met for two days at BAM in Adlershof to exchange on current developments and research projects in mechanochemistry. At two different events, scientists from various divisions presented and discussed how ‘green chemistry’ can be incorporated into sustainable industry.
The current COST Action – which is set to run until 2023 and involves 32 European countries, Russia, Canada, China, Mexico, Singapore and the USA – is focusing on the high potential mechanochemistry has in terms of the chemical, pharmaceutical and process engineering industries. This is a great opportunity for analytical chemistry PhD students at BAM to shadow at partner institutions and prepare joint papers. Dr Franziska Emmerling, Head of the Structure Analysis Department at BAM, is among those coordinating Germany’s participation in the current COST Action. “The initiative is an ideal programme to promote networking and thinking outside the box,” she underlined.
The initiators: Dr Evelina Colacino (right), President of the COST Action ‘Mechanochemistry for Sustainable Industry’, with Vice President, Prof. Lucia Maini (left) and Dr Franziska Emmerling for the National Steering Committee (middle).
Source: BAM
The meeting in Adlershof offered young scientists of BAM insights into international research and also new contacts for further exchange:
“It was a great experience to attend the COST meeting and to get in touch with great mechanochemists from across the world to share their expertise in this field. I am thankful for having the opportunity to attend.”
Dr. Biswajit Bhattacharya, Adolf Martens Post-Doctoral Fellow
“It was a pleasure to help in the organisation of the COST meeting and establish contact with researchers from around the world. Furthermore, it was great to meet some old friends of mechanochemistry and discuss some of the good science being developed.”
Dr. Ines Catarina Batista Martins, Structural Analysis Division
“It was fantastic to be involved in the COST meeting, which brought together leading mechanochemists from around the globe. The meeting was filled with excellent scientific discussions with many exciting and new collaborations on the horizon!”
Dr. Adam Michalchuk, Structural Analysis Division
International young scientists at BAM at the COST meeting in Adlershof (from left to right): Dr Biswajit Bhattacharya, Dr. Adam Michalchuk, Dr. Ines Catarina Batista Martins and Dr. Paulo Filho Marques de Oliveira
Source: BAM, Division Structure Analysis
The guests also praised the excellent organisation of the lectures, discussions and guided tours – it is also possible that there will be further opportunities for young scientists to network worldwide from Adlershof until 2023.
About COST
The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is an intergovernmental initiative for European cooperation in scientific and technological research in which national research work is combined and coordinated internationally. Since its establishment in 1971, COST has been helping to close the gaps between science, politics, and society across Europe by supporting transnational cooperation between researching engineers and scientists across the entire continent on a scientific topic of their choice. COST aims to promote scientific networking and technological research activities in Europe. Researchers from a wide range of scientific institutions, organisations and countries can participate.