TECHNICAL SYMPOSIA
Contributed papers are solicited for more than 50 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.  More than 80 invited speakers, with international recognition in their respective fields will participate in the eight Symposia and four topical sessions.

PLENARY SPEAKER
The conference opens with a Plenary Lecture “Functionalizing the Surface of Semiconductors for Biological Sensors” by Prof. Stephen J. Pearton, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. 

POSTER SESSION
The conference includes a well-subscribed Poster Session where authors are asked to post a detailed summary of their work. During the two-hour session, authors are required to be standing with their posted materials to lead discussions and answer questions. 

EXHIBITS
An extensive equipment exhibition is offered in conjunction with the Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28-29, 2009. 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. 

SPECIAL COURSES
Five short courses will be offered on Sunday preceding the conference:

1)      “Advanced Thin Film Characterization”, Prof. I. Petrov, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign IL, USA

2)      “Thin Film Nucleation, Growth, and Microstructure Evolution”, Prof. J. E. Greene, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign IL, USA 

3)      "Surface Preparation for Thin Film Deposition", Prof. G. McGuire, International Technology Center, North Carolina, USA 

4)       "High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering", A. Anders, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Berkeley CA, USA and A. Ehiasarian, Sheffield Hallam University, UK 

5)       "An Introduction to Vacuum Technology", R. A. Childs, RAC Consulting, Watertown, MA, USA 

The costs for the short courses will be $400 per attendee, $100 for graduate students. 

Various tutorials are offered free to all registered attendees. They include “Art and Skill of Successful Oral and Poster Presentations”, by R. Boxman, Tel Aviv University, and several focused topical sessions by industrial companies.

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

R.F. BUNSHAH AWARD and ICMCTF LECTURE
The ASED division of AVS has established the R.F. Bunshah Award and Honorary ICMCTF lectureship to  recognize an individual scientist or engineer for outstanding research or technology innovation in the field of surface engineering, coatings, thin films, and related areas of interest to ASED.  The award consists of a $1500 cash prize, an engraved statuette stating the nature of the award, 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: http://www2.avs.org/divisions/ased/

Deadline: October 1, 2008 

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
The ASED division of AVS has established the Graduate Student Awards for excellence in scholarly research.  Students are judged on the quality of their research, their oral presentation at ICMCTF and individual discussions with the Awards Committee.  Up to three Awards consisting of a cash prize ($400, $300 and $250), a certificate, complimentary meeting registration, up to six nights lodging at the conference hotel and travel support reimbursement up to $500 are available.  Detailed information and nomination procedures are available on the ASED website: http://www2.avs.org/divisions/ased/

Deadline: October 1, 2008 

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 the archival Elsevier publications, Thin Solid Films (TSF) or Surface and Coatings Technology (SCT).  The accepted manuscripts will also 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 while the contributions from Symposia C, D, F and H will appear in TSF. 

                        
                             

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