The Ninth International Symposium on Functional π-Electron Systems (F-π-9) will take place on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology from May 23 to 28. The work discussed at the conference will impact issues related to biological imaging and sensing, as well as photovoltaics and lighting. The conference is chaired by Seth Marder, director of the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics and professor in the School of Chemistry, and Jean-Luc Brédas, regent's professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and chair in molecular design.

F-π-9 will follow the success of previous F-π conferences organized in Japan (Osaka in 1989, 1999, and 2006 and Kobe in 1992), the United States (Santa Cruz in 1995 and Ithaca in 2004), Germany (Ulm in 2002) and Austria (Graz in 2008). The conference started as the "International Symposium on Functional Dyes"; however, to broaden the scope of the conference and to adjust to developments in academic and industrial research, the name was changed to the "International Symposium on Functional π-Electron Systems" in 2002.

“Bringing the Ninth International Conference on Functional Pi-Electron Systems to Georgia Tech is a tribute to the strength and breadth of the faculty, students and staff in this area.  It is a recognition of the impact that the Center for Organic Electronics and Photonics has had locally, nationally and internationally,” said Marder.

F-π-9 will attract around 500 participants from all over the world to discuss their new results in the context of conjugated polymer/oligomer synthesis, organic semiconductor materials, photovoltaic and electroactive materials and devices, graphene, functional π-systems for therapeutic applications and more. Six plenary speakers, including the 2008 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Roger Tsien, will present their latest research along with 35 invited speakers. The program also includes some 80 invited short talks and three poster sessions, which will allow students and others to highlight their recent work.