S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Mandi hosted the “International Conference on 60 Years of Density Functional Theory (DFT): Advancements in Theory & Computation.”
The event was conducted in association with IIT Ropar and IIT Guwahati from 21 to 26 July 2024, say sources from IIT Mandi.
Organized by the School of Physical Sciences, this conference marked the 60th anniversary of DFT, a crucial tool in quantum mechanical modeling.
Cornerstone
Density Functional Theory (DFT) has been a cornerstone in the advancement of theoretical and computational chemistry and physics, offering invaluable insights into the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, and condensed matter.
This conference celebrated the remarkable journey of DFT, highlighting the latest advancements and applications in the field, say sources from IIT Mandi.
More about the event
Prof. Arti Kashyap, Convener of the conference spoke about the event. The conference was unique in its two-part structure.
The first part covered the fundamental, basic concepts of the journey of Density Functional Theory (DFT) and its current standing.
It also highlighted how machine learning is shaping the field of materials physics.
In the second part, research work from various groups was presented by faculty members from different institutes, she said.
About 100 students showcased their work through posters at the conference. The event saw participation from across India, with a diverse array of speakers and students, she said.
The free-flowing discussions and interactions between students and faculty from different institutes fostered potential collaborations, she said.
Overall, the conference was a huge success in terms of learning and the exchange of ideas among the DFT scientific community, she said.
Sessions
The event featured a series of engaging sessions that covered a broad spectrum of topics, including:
$ Machine Learning for Materials Science
$ Topology in Quantum Materials
$ Exotic Quantum Effects
$ Spin-Orbit Related Phenomena
$ Magnetism in 2D Materials
Overview
In addition to these focal areas, the conference provided a comprehensive overview of various other topics related to the application of DFT, say sources from IIT Mandi.
It ensured a thorough exploration of the current state and future directions of this essential theoretical framework, say sources from IIT Mandi.
Highlight
A major highlight of the conference was the special lectures and the initial School/Workshop sessions, where students were introduced to the fundamental concepts of complex methods, say sources from IIT Mandi.
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These sessions demonstrated how these methods are being applied to understand the properties of materials for various applications, offering participants a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of DFT.
Innovations
This landmark event not only celebrated the past achievements of DFT but also paved the way for future innovations and applications in the field, reinforcing IIT Mandi’s position as a leader in scientific research and education.
About IIT Mandi
IIT Mandi has nine Academic Schools and five major Research Centers. The Schools are the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering (SBBE), School of Chemical Sciences (SCS), School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SMSS).
Also among them are , School of Physical Sciences (SPS), School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (SMME), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCENE).
The others are, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering (SCEE), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), and School of Management (SOM).
The Centers are the Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC), Centre for Design and Fabrication of Electrical Devices (C4DFED), BioX Centre.
Also are, Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications Centre (IKSMHA Centre) and Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
The Institute offers B.Tech. programs in seven different streams, one M.A. program, ten M.Tech. programs, nine Ph.D. programs, and one Ph.D. program.
The unique, project-oriented B.Tech. curriculum is centered around its 4-year long Design and Innovation stream.
Since the inception of the Institute, IIT Mandi faculty have been involved in over 275 Research and Development (R&D) projects worth more than Rs. 120 crores.