The Crystal Growth and Assembly Gordon Research Conference (previously known as "Thin Film and Crystal Growth Mechanisms GRC") is dedicated to the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental atomic and nanoscale physics and chemistry that are central to the nucleation and growth of crystals for a wide array of technologies. This well-established conference draws researchers from around the world in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, and beyond. Historically, the conference has emphasized concepts rather than specific materials, technologies or growth methods. This focus has attracted scientists with a broad range of specializations, from semiconductor nanowires to biomineralization and from in situ microscopy to multi-scale computer simulations, who find common inspiration in seeing how the general principles of crystal thermodynamics and growth kinetics are applicable to many fields. 

The 2017 Crystal Growth and Assembly GRC will continue the tradition of a highly interdisciplinary program, highlighting the most recent developments in the field. It will cover topics like nucleation, low-dimensional crystals, surface kinetics, bulk crystallization, nanocrystals and biomineralization. This year a particular focus will be on the assembly of meta-materials that show a hierarchy of ordering. 

All attendees are encouraged to present posters, from which some will be selected for short oral presentations. The collegial atmosphere of this Conference, with exciting invited lectures, which are complemented by lively poster sessions, as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas represented. An informal power hour focusing on the career development of women in science will be included as well. 

We are excited that this year we can again offer the corresponding Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) that will highlight graduate student and postdoctoral research in a meeting preceding the GRC and with the same broad scope of topics.