The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) and Asylum Research, a manufacturer of scanning probe/atomic force microscopy (SPM/AFM) equipment, are co-organizing the 2nd International Workshop for Scanning Probe Microscopy for Energy Applications, to be held at the MPI-P in Mainz, Germany, from June 8-10, 2011. Following the successful first conference – with well more than 100 attendees at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2010 – this second workshop will focus on sharing new and innovative research involving characterization of the microscopic mechanisms underpinning solar cell, battery and fuel cell operations, and materials used for alternative energy applications at the nanometer to micron range. Recent advances and techniques in SPM/AFM used to characterize energy relevant materials and systems also are scheduled to be addressed. The three-day meeting will include invited and contributed talks and a poster session. Equipment labs and tutorials will be held on the last day for demonstration of recently developed dynamic and multispectral SPM modes using Asylum Research's Cypher and MFP-3D devices. Abstracts are now being accepted for contributed talks and a poster session. "I am happy that we can host the 2nd International Workshop on Scanning Probe Microscopy for Energy Applications at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research,” said the institute’s Rüdiger Berger. “Green energy is one of the most important current issues and we need multidisciplinary teamwork in this area to identify the best strategies. Surfaces and interfaces play a crucial role in solar cell devices and batteries. We are proud to bring together scientists from all over the world to discuss recent findings and to discuss ways to accelerate the development of green energy technologies." "Energy generation, storage and conversion systems are an integral component of emerging green technologies, including solar power, automotive, and storage components of solar and wind energy economics. The microscopic mechanisms underpinning solar cell, battery and fuel cell operations in the nanometer to micron range are currently not well understood. This workshop is designed to bring together leading scientists in these energy applications of SPM/AFM to share their research and spur additional work to advance the field," added Roger Proksch, President of Asylum Research. For more information, visit: www.mpip-mainz.mpg.de/symposium/spm2011