The James Franck Institute

The James Franck Institute is an interdisciplinary association of scientists with primary interests in the study of physical chemistry, condensed matter physics, and materials chemistry. It is the paradigmatic interdisciplinary research institute in the U.S. fostering forefront research at the boundaries between these disciplines. Much of the theoretical and experimental research in the institute concerns the physics and chemistry of solids and liquids with emphasis on statistical physics, chemical dynamics, nanoscience materials chemistry, nonequilibrium phenomena, quantum phase transitions, chemical kinetics, molecular beams, surface phenomena, polymer chemistry and physics, biophysics, and dynamical systems. The institute exists for the dual purposes of providing an environment in which scientists of varied disciplines will interact and aid each other’s research, and of extending to predoctoral and postdoctoral research students an opportunity to study and do research in an interdisciplinary laboratory. Much of the work in progress utilizes specialized general facilities operated by the institute. These include a low temperature laboratory, a materials preparation laboratory, X-ray diffraction and analytical chemistry laboratories, scanning probe and electron microscopes, an image processing center, and extensive shop and computer facilities. Formal courses are not offered by the institute but frequent colloquia and seminars are held for the discussion of current research and of various scientific topics of interest.

This text was last revised on 9/02/2003.