The International Workshop on Matter Out of Equilibrium (IWMOE) is aimed at identifying well-defined scientific challenges that arise in the study of non-equilibrium states of matter, with the purpose of articulating a strong scientific collaboration among research groups in different parts of the world investigating systems out of thermodynamic equilibrium and their interdisciplinary applications.
The IWMOE is organized by the National Laboratory of Matter out of Equilibrium (LANIMFE) of the Instituto de Física de la Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (IF-UASLP), in cooperation with the Mexican Soft Matter Network.
Most aspects of the physics of systems in thermodynamic equilibrium are nowadays relatively well understood, thanks to the powerful mathematical and physical framework provided by equilibrium statistical thermodynamics. For systems out of equilibrium, however, the situation is far less cheerful, and in some instances, there is a complete lack of any fundamental understanding. As the number and relevance of issues involving non-equilibrium conditions become more and more apparent in many research areas (particularly in soft condensed matter) there is an urgent demand to bring forward new tools and concepts to fully tackle them. In order to face the fundamental challenges posed by the study of out-of-equilibrium systems, the Mexican Soft Matter community has launched an initiative to articulate its strengths in the experimental, theoretical and numerical approaches to the study of non-equilibrium matter with those of its international leading counterparts. An important element of this initiative is the celebration of this International Workshop of Matter out of Equilibrium.
A relevant aspect of the Workshop is the possibility of having an open and friendly atmosphere in which all the participants are encouraged to organize rounds or groups of discussions to identify those problems and fundamental questions that will allow us to establish new collaborations, to enhance ongoing projects and, most important, to reach a deeper understanding of the physical mechanisms that lead to the non-equilibrium amorphous states of matter. We invite you to virtually join us in San Luis Potosí for what promises to be a highly stimulating scientific program.