Topical Symposium 1
The Topical and Special Sessions Symposium reflects both the future and the strong community tradition of ICMCTF. In 2027, it features one timely technical focus on thin films in microelectronics and semiconductors, complemented by a session promoting women in surface engineering and several honorary and memorial sessions celebrating outstanding contributions to the field and remembering distinguished members of our community. Together, these sessions pay tribute to the many years of scientific exchange, personal connections, and shared memories at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, while looking ahead toward new and exciting destinations for ICMCTF.
TS1. Promoting Women in Surface Engineering
This session highlights the excellence of women in research and development in surface engineering through a cross-disciplinary format, encompassing all topics covered at ICMCTF, including plasma and vapor deposition processes, protective coatings and high temperature materials, functional thin films and surfaces, tribology and coating mechanics, biomaterials, medical devices and regenerative materials, advanced characterization, modelling and data science, as well as applied research and industrial applications such as batteries and hydrogen technologies, and surfaces for renewable energy. The aim is to provide high visibility to women in surface engineering, who are underrepresented among previous ASED chairs, ICMCTF program chairs and Bunshah and Bill Sproul awards, and to promote the next generation of women leaders in this field.
TS1 Invited Speakers:
- Caroline Adam, Kiel University, Germany, “Hybrid HiPIMS/RF Discharges for Energetic Thin Film Growth”
- Katherine Burzynski, Air Force Research Laboratory, USA, “From Lab to Fab: Manufacturing Challenges in GaN Thin Film van der Waals Transfer”
- Emmanuelle Göthelid, AB Sandvik Coromant, Sweden, “Leading Innovation in Surface Engineering: Industrial Perspectives on Advanced CVD Coatings for Machining Applications”
- Ray-Hua Horng, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan, “AlScN Grown by HiPIMS and Relative Device Applications”
- Shuyao Lin, TU Wien, Austria, “Bridging Atomistic Insights and Structural Design: Phase-Dependent Mechanics of Transition Metal Diborides”
- Juliane Ribeiro da Cruz Alves, University of São Paulo, Brazil, “Corrosion Resistance of Thermally Sprayed Cermet Coatings”
- Johanna Rosén, Linköping University, Sweden, “From Thin Films to 2D Materials – Scalable and Sustainable Materials Synthesis from Theoretical and Experimental Perspectives”
- Alice Todeschini, Politecnico di Milano, Italy, “Mapping MEMS Thin Film Stress: Wafer-Level Analysis of Micro-Mechanical Structures”
- Wan-Yu Wu, National United University, Taiwan, “Engineering Functional Thin Films by HiPIMS: Bridging Plasma Science and Applications”