Contributions from all fields of clay research are welcome.

Papers will be presented in one General session, 14 Thematic sessions and one Teaching session.

IMA2010 second half sessions

Clay sessions in detail

MC103C1: Crystal chemistry and structure of clay minerals and layered minerals
Convenors: István DÓDONY, Sergey V. KRIVOVICHEV

AM18C2: Colloidal properties and surface chemistry of clays
Convenors: Etelka TOMBÁCZ, Juan CORNEJO
Invited: Juan CORNEJO
Brief description of the session:
This session focuses on the surface charge characterization and modification in relation to the particle interactions (dispersion, aggregation) mainly in aqueous medium; the rheology (thixotropic and elastic properties), as well as the reactivity and adsorption in the environment and technology (organic molecules, various cations, dyes, pesticides, toxic, hazardous materials), and the use of pillared clays and nanocomposites.

GP87C3: Geology of clays
Convenors: Béla RAUCSIK, Jan ŚRODOŃ
Invited: Jean Francois DECONINCK
Brief description of the session:
This session is dedicated to clay minerals as proxies of the geological processes through time and geodynamic events. We welcome contributions about the significance of clay minerals in various geological processes and environments.

EG56C4: Industrial clay deposits. From the field to the industry
Convenors: János FÖLDESSY, George CHRISTIDIS
Keynote: Emilia GARCIA ROMERO
Brief description of the session:
The session deals with the geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and assessment of industrial clay deposits.
Assessment includes determination of important physical and chemical properties which render industrial clays suitable for various industrial applications.

AM19C5: Interfacial phenomena of clay minerals: Adsorption, intercalation and nanohybrid materials
Convenors: Imre DÉKÁNY, Peter KOMADEL
Brief description of the session:
The main topics addressed by this session refer to: adsorption of surfactants, polyelectrolites and polymers on layered and chain silicates and double layer hydroxides; intercalation of molecules, polymers, biopolymers and nanoparticles in layered structures; surface functionalization, adsorption at solid-gas, solid-liquid interfaces and wetting properties.
Rationale for and details of the session:

EM66C6: Clays related to environment and health
Convenors: Tibor NÉMETH, Tomás UNDABEYTIA
Brief description of the session:
The main topics addressed by this session refer to: role of clay minerals in environmental and soil geochemistry; clay - heavy metal, clay - hazardous organic compound interactions; application of clays in waste disposal and environmental contamination management.

CH30G: Archaeometry (general session): Composition, technology and provenance of archaeological artifacts
Convenors: Corina IONESCU, Isabella MEMMI-TURBANTI (IMA-CAM), Cristina BELLELLI, M. Isabel DIAS, Katalin T. BIRÓ
Keynote: Marino MAGGETTI, Gilberto ARTIOLI
Brief description of the session:
The session is intended to deal with clays as raw materials and elements of cultural heritage vs. the possibilities provided by Material sciences - and in the first place Geosciences, for this type of investigations.

GP88C8: Weathering, soils and paleosol clays
Convenors: Géza SZENDREI, Tatiana V. ALEKSEEVA
Brief description of the session:
Some of the main topics covered by this session refer to: weathering and clay minerals behavior in soils and paleosols; determination of clays properties related to applied soil science; clay minerals - soil organic matter and living organisms interactions; clay minerals as indicators of climate and paleoclimate.

GM76C9: Non-phyllosilicate clays
Convenors: Viktória KIS, Helge STANJEK
Invited: Tatiana ALEKSEEVA
Brief description of the session:
The session focuses on: physical, chemical, colloidal and structural properties of non-phyllosilicate clay minerals such as (Fe-Mn) oxi-hydroxides, amorphous silica and aluminosilicates (including palygorskite-sepiolite group as well); occurrence in soils, sediments, and extraterrestrial environments; biological and chemical interactions; agricultural and environmental aspects; preparation and analytical techniques.

MA97C10: Advanced instrumental techniques in clay science
Convenors: János KRISTÓF, Ray L. FROST
Keynote: Wen-An CHIOU
Brief description of the session:
The aim of the session is to bring attention to the latest developments in instrumental techniques capable of providing new impacts on the development of clay science.

TH138C11: Physical properties of clays at non-ambient conditions
Convenors: István VICZIÁN, Maria Franca BRIGATTI, Augusto MARCELLI, Annibale MOTTANA
Brief description of the session:
The focus of the session is to investigate physical properties of clays under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, by means of both experimental and computational techniques.

TH139C12: Fabric anisotropy and its influence on physical properties of clay-rich rocks
Convenors: Daniele MALFERRARI, Giovanni VALDRÉ
Brief description of the session:
Fabric anisotropies give us important information to clarify geological events occurred under various and variable physical and chemical conditions. Contributions concerning texture measurements, applications of texture analysis, and novel experimental methodologies will be appreciated.

EM67C13: Clay minerals and biomolecules: From the origin of life to advanced biomedical applications
Convenors: Maria Franca BRIGATTI, Daniele MALFERRARI
Keynote: Giovanni VALDRE
Brief description of the session:
Relationship between clays and origin of life is a matter of discussion. Contributions concerning the ability of clay surfaces to selectively interact with bio-molecules or concerning interaction with organic molecules will thus be appreciated.

EG57C14: Role of clay minerals in oil and gas industry
Convenors: László GYŐRY, Pavel MARINESCU
Brief description of the session:
The session will deal with the application areas and importance of clay minerals in oil and gas industry, including relevant topics in their geology, geochemistry and fluid technology.

TM141G: Teaching of mineral sciences
Convenors: Tamás G. WEISZBURG, Erzsébet TÓTH
Brief description of the session:
Since the 80s and 90s, teaching of mineral sciences, especially in Europe (in the framework of the Bologna Process), but also in North America and world-wide is going through an intense reform, with implications on the future of the mineralogy-related professions and research. This session is intended to provide a forum for teachers and students where best practice can be shared, as well as solutions can be thought for making this process more efficient and smoother.