φ-Electron systems: Building molecules for a function

A large number of researchers participated in the 9th International Symposium on Functional π-Electron Systems (F-π-9) 2010, held at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, US, to discuss on the potential of conjugated organic multifunctional materials. The visitors and participants were able to gather significant information regarding the potential of these materials in terms of their useful functional capabilities and their level of performance when used in devices. Significant progress and versatility was achieved in the field due to the vast complexity of functional π-electron systems, ranging from simple small molecules to polymers and biomolecules, flexibility of chemical synthesis, and a multidisciplinary effort of chemists, physicists and engineers dealing with the most challenging problems from different angles.