BRIGHT IDEAS FROM THE BOX CANYON

A monthly newsletter that includes a collection of important news and updates from Telluride Science.

IN THE NEWS

Autumn is in the air… warm sunny, days followed by cool nights and crisp mornings. We are gearing up for a busy fall at the Depot with five science workshops that cover a wide variety of topics including energy storage, quantum mechanics, and machine learning in materials design.

We excitedly await the arrival of October as renovation of the Depot is slated to begin October 10. Before we transform the historic building into the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, a community celebration will be held on September 30 at the Depot. During the gathering, we will celebrate the history of this National Historic Landmark and toast to the future. Volunteers are needed for the event. Read more below.

THE DEPOT

We are on track with our fundraising goals to start renovations this fall BUT we need to keep the momentum going. Our target is to raise $800,000 by the end of the fall.

If you have friends or colleagues who might be interested in supporting the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, please email Annie Carlson.

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE

Ken Jordan

Professor of Computational Chemistry

University of Pittsburgh

Ken Jordan is a true veteran of Telluride Science who probably holds the record for the most workshops attended. Jordan, a former board president, is such a believer in the value of Telluride Science workshops that one summer he traveled to Telluride four different times to attend four different workshops. Jordan started attending in 1993. Twenty nine years later, he has attended 37 workshops, including 13 that he has co-organized. “One of the best ways to learn a new field is to co-organize a Telluride workshop in the area and to invite experts from all around the world to attend,” says Ken.

Jordan’s renown as a leading scientist extends well beyond our box canyon walls. He was recently elected to the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science (IAQMS). The IAQMS, headquartered in Menton, France, has inducted only 193 members in its 54-year history. This nomination is highly regarded and a huge honor. Past and present IAQMS members include a roll call of Nobel Prize winners. In fact, Jordan joins the esteemed ranks with eleven other Telluride Science colleagues, including Anna Krylov who was featured in July’s Spotlight on Science.

More About Ken

Ken enjoys the small size of Telluride Science workshops and the time spent out of the classroom that allows for deep discussion and connections.

Q & A with Ken

How is Telluride Science different from other scientific conferences?

Several aspects make Telluride Science meetings unique. One is the size of the workshops. Workshops with 20-30 people allow for a degree of interaction that you don’t have at much larger meetings. Telluride Science workshops generally have mornings or afternoons with no scheduled presentations, which allows scientists to further interact at lunch, dinner, hiking or in a coffee shop. Other meetings are filled with presentations all day, and you don’t have much time to discuss science.

What is your scientific field of study? How is the science you are studying applied outside of the lab?

My field of study is theoretical chemistry, with an emphasis on the development and applications of electronic structure methods. We have worked on problems that are relevant in energy applications including CO2 capture and converting CO2 into more useful materials.

Complete Q & A

HOST A SCIENTIST

If you are interested in hosting a scientist for five or six nights at an affordable rate in your guest house, condo, or home this fall or winter, please email Annie Carlson.

A SPECIAL THANKS

Finding affordable lodging for our scientists is a big challenge. We are so grateful to the following people for offering to host a scientist:

Andi Alexander
Vadim Backman & Luisa Marcelino
Meg & Jay Bodnar
Miles & Nicole Cook
Sally Puff Courtney & Jim Harley
John & Sueanne Kim
Dave & Kelly Jemison
Jim & Joanne Steinback

WHAT TO READ

TELLURIDE SCIENTIST ON FOREFRONT OF NEW ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Shirley Meng, Chief Scientist of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science, is a long-time attendee of Telluride Science workshops. She was recently acknowledged in Nature as a scientist on the forefront of new energy solutions. Meng has created a solid-state battery that is safe, long-lasting, and energy efficient. Developing this concept into a megawatt-scale battery that could ultimately power the electric grid of the future is a game changer. Meng says, “We have enough solar; we have enough wind. Batteries are the last missing piece for a grid that is sustainable."

WHAT'S HAPPENING

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Friday, September 30, 4:30-6:30 pm

Join Telluride Science to celebrate the rich history of the Depot and toast its future as the Telluride Science & Innovation Center. From the Rio Grande Southern Railroad station to Harmons, to the Ah Haa School for the Arts, the Depot has been a hub for gathering through the years. Join us to hear storied tales of the Depot and celebrate what the future holds in this iconic building. Music, food, and fun. Free and open to the public. Raffle to win a night in the state-of-the-art Telluride Science & Innovation Center. Volunteers are needed. Contact Annie.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 16 - 18

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

September 23 - 25

Telluride Autumn Classic

September 29 - October 2

Original Thinkers

September 30

Telluride Science Community Celebration

Telluride Inside & Out has a robust event calendar with an abundance of information on events and things to do in Telluride and Mountain Village.

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