The International Conference On
Metallurgical Coatings And Thin Films
ICMCTF 2008 
April 28-May 2, 2008
Town and Country Hotel, San Diego, California, USA

highlights

TECHNICAL SYMPOSIA 
Contributed papers are solicited for more than 40 sessions that span an extensive collection of subjects.  Abstracts will be evaluated for their potential interest to the conference attendees and on the quality of their technical content.  In excess of 70 invited speakers, with international recognition in their respective fields are expected to participate in the eight Symposia and three topical sessions. 

PLENARY SPEAKER
The conference opens with a Plenary  by Prof. W.D. Nix, Stanford University.  The title of his talk will be "Mechanical Properties of Thin Films and Coatings." 

POSTER FORUM 
This conference includes a well-subscribed Poster Session where authors are asked to post a detailed summary of their work.  Presenters are required to be standing next to their poster data during the two-hour session. Being at your assigned poster location will encourage you to lead discussions, answer questions and will allow for more attendee interactions.  

EXHIBITS
An extensive equipment exhibition is offered in conjunction with the Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 29-30, 2008.  Most of the premier international companies in the field will participate in this extensive display that promotes technical interchange of information on the science, technology, and application of coatings, thin films, and surface modification methods. 

SHORT COURSES
Two AVS short courses will be offered:

1)Advanced Thin Film Characterization, Prof. I. Petrov, University of Illinois and Prof. G.E. McGuire, International Technology Center, North Carolina ($400 per participant, $100 for graduate students  

2) Thin Film Nucleation, Growth, and Microstructure Evolution, Prof. J. Greene, University of Illinois ($400 per participant, $100 for graduate students). 

 

TUTORIALS

Various tutorials are offered at no additional charge to conference attendees and exhibitors. They include:

1) High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering Technology, Dr. Arutiun P. Ehiasarian, Sheffield Hallam University, U.K.

2) Stress and Strain in Polycrystalline Thin Films, Guido Janssen, TU Delft, The Netherlands

3) ICMCTF Forum 2008 - A Scientific Perspective on the Energy Challenge, Neal D. Shinn, Sandia National Laboratories

4) Mechanical Property Measurements of Thin Films and Coatings (VAMAS TWA22), Nigel Jennett, National Physical Laboratory, UK,

5) Art and Skills of Successful Scientific Manuscript Preparation, R.L. BOXMAN,Tel Aviv University

6) Focused Topic Sessions:

a) Hysitron – “Nanoindentation - Cutting Edge Research in Thin Film Characterization"

b) CSM – “Scratching More Than the Surface: Using Scratch Testing in Innovative Ways”

c) K-Space – “In-Situ, 2D Curvature and Stress Monitoring with the k-Space kSA MOS System”

 

R.F. BUNSHAH AWARD and ICMCTF LECTURE
The ASED division of AVS honors an individual scientist or engineer for outstanding research and technology innovation in the field of surface engineering, coatings, and thin films with the R.F. Bunshah Award. 

The award consists of a cash prize, an engraved statuette and an honorary lectureship at the ICMCTF conference.  The laureate shall receive up to six nights lodging at the conference hotel.  Detailed information and nomination procedures are available on the ASED website: www2.avs.org/divisions/ased. 

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
The ASED division of AVS has established Graduate Student Awards for excellence in scholarly research.  Up to three Awards consisting of a cash prize, a certificate, complimentary meeting registration, up to six nights lodging at the conference hotel and limited travel expenses are reimbursed.  Detailed information and nomination procedures are available at the ASED website: www2.avs.org/divisions/ased.

ICMCTF Forum 2008 - "A Scientific Perspective on the Energy Challenges"
This  Session addresses the need of society and the challenges to materials science and research to meet these challenges. it will open with a presentation from AVS Past President Neal D. Shinn and followed by a panel discussion of energy technology experts, involving the audience to openly debate the raised issues.

VAMAS TWA22
The 10th Annual General Meeting of VAMAS TWA22 is open to all interested in international cooperation to develop coating property measurement methods.  

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Authors are encouraged to submit technical papers for the Conference Proceedings.  Submitted manuscripts will be subject to peer review, and if accepted, will appear in archival publications, Thin Solid Films (TSF), or Surface and Coatings Technology (SCT), published by Elsevier.  The accepted manuscripts will be placed on CDs and distributed by mail to all full week paid registrants of the Conference. Additional copies will be made available for sale at a later date.  Contributions from Symposia A, B, E, G, and TS will appear in SCT.  Contributions from Symposia C, D, F, and H will appear in TSF. 

SOCIAL EVENTS                          
                             
Monday: Welcome Reception
Tuesday: Exhibits Reception
Wednesday:
Awards Convocation
Awards Reception
 
Thursday:  Poster Reception
Friday: Farewell Party