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International scientific organization

CECAM - Centre Europeen de Calcul Atomique et Moleculaire

It could be easily affirmed that the use of computers has caused a revolution in society: we now live in the "information age". However, less visible but no less important, is a second revolution underway induced by computers: “computer-based modeling” which will transform fundamentally the major fields of human activity, ranging from industrial manufacturing to medical science. At present, the groundwork for this revolution is in academic applications of "computer modeling". We can already note that computer simulations are used as a pre-screening tool to limit, if not eliminate, the use of dangerous experiments, too expensive, or not feasible (e.g. animal testing). The increased power of computers now makes it possible to simulate molecular systems ranging from inorganic materials to complex biological systems. The field of molecular simulation is one of the scientific areas in which Europe has a leading position. The European research team are internationally acknowledged for the development and implementation of algorithms for the original simulation. One of the factors that contribute to this European success is the unique position of CECAM (Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire). CECAM is a high-standard institution based in Lausanne, supported by 19 European scientific organizations. In addition to promoting cutting-edge research in the area of molecular simulation, CECAM aims to ease the dissemination and creation of networking activities in this field. For example, 20-25 workshops are organized at CECAM each year by international experts in computer simulations. Many of the ideas behind algorithms now commonly used in molecular simulation, had originated from workshops organized by CECAM in the last 30 years. The success of CECAM can be entirely credited to the scientific community that participates in its activities. Prof. Ignacio Pagonabarraba is the current Director of CECAM.

Info

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Station 13, Bat. PPH - 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
Web site: http://www.cecam.org

Delegate

prof. MAURO STENER

Università di Trieste
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche
Via Licio Giorgieri 1 - 34127 Trieste
Phone number: +39 040 5583949
Email: stener@units.it

Substitute delegate

dott. GIOVANNI BARCARO

CNR
Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici
Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1 - 56124 Pisa
Phone number: +39 0503152455
Email: giovanni.barcaro@cnr.it

Reports CECAM

Last update: 07/06/2025