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AVS Mission
AVS is an international community of scientists, engineers and instrument manufacturers, which strives to promote research and communicate knowledge in the important areas of surface, interface, vacuum, and thin film science and technology for the advancement of humankind.


AVS Vision
AVS endeavours to be the premier organization specializing in understanding and applying the science and technology of materials, interfaces and processing with outstanding benefits for members.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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Goal 1

Advance Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processes
Goal 1:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 2 | Goal 3 | Goal 4

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GOAL 1 GOAL 1 Box
Advance Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processes

AVS provides high-quality publications, scientific conferences, training, and authoritative databases to make it the premier destination for researchers in materials, interfaces, and processes. AVS is a leader in the identification and communication of advances in science and engineering that enable new technological breakthroughs. On behalf of its members, AVS advocates for strong national funding of engineering, science, and innovation.

Goal 1 Achievements:

• Presentations on Demand (2012+)
• Symposium Mobile App (AVS 60+)
• Impact Factors: JVST A 2.322, JVST B 1.464, Biointerphases 3.374
• New PacSurf Conference (2014)
• Sponsors 20+ Conferences (2015)
• 25 Science teachers attend SEW each year

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Distinguish AVS from other scientific societies to deliver unique value and content.
  • Enhance the quality of the AVS family of journals and build cross-journal collaboration.
  • Increase international and under-represented group participation in the symposium and topical conferences.
  • Strengthen ties to local chapters with strong industrial participation, especially in emerging areas.
  • Emphasize STEM education and need for qualified educators presents opportunities for AVS education workshops (e.g. Science Educator’s Workshop).

Problem Solving

Goal 1

Advance Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processes
Goal 1:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 2 | Goal 3 | Goal 4

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GOAL 1 GOAL 1 Box
Advance Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processes

2020-2024 Objectives

  • Increase quantity and quality of the articles in all AVS journals.
  • Ensure that the AVS International Symposium and Exhibition remains the premiere ‘must-attend’ venue for professionals involved in the science and technology of materials, interfaces and processing.
  • Growth of PacSurf to be the premier Pacific Rim materials, interface and processing conference.
  • Growth and continued success of PacSurf, and division, groups and chapter-led conferences e.g. ICMCTF, QSA, Surface and Interface Analysis.
  • Build relationships with national and state science teacher associations to increase awareness of science educator’s workshop.

Group of AVS Members

Goal 1

Advance Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processes
Goal 1:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 2 | Goal 3 | Goal 4

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GOAL 1 GOAL 1 Box
Advance Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processes

Get Involved

  • Submit a manuscript to an AVS journal and be an active reviewer for AVS journals
  • Present a paper and/or serve as a moderator at the International Symposium or an endorsed/sponsored topical conference
  • Serve on a division, group or focus topic program committee
  • Attend a local AVS chapter meeting. View Chapters List
  • Recruit a science teacher from your region to attend a Science Educator Workshop.
  • Enroll in an AVS short course or tutorial and suggest topics if they are not available.
  • Become a short course instructor or tutorial instructor
  • Volunteer in AVS: www.avs.org/Form/Volunteer

AVS website

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Goal 2

Empower our Members Success
Goal 2:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 3 | Goal 4

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GOAL 2 GOAL 1 Box
Empower our Members Success

AVS provides education, professional development, and networking opportunities to enable its members to succeed in the global scientific and engineering communities. The Society provides these opportunities both in-person, through its conferences and workshops, and on-line through webinars, publications, and videos.

Goal 2 Achievements:

• New expanded AVS web site
• Industrial Advisory Board (2014)
• Complimentary membership for first and corresponding authors of papers submitted to AVS journals

Challenges and Opportunities

  • In some regions, substantial numbers of non-members participate in local Chapter events.
  • In today’s fiscal environment, industrial membership is challenging to maintain or grow.
  • One opportunity for longer-term impact and membership growth in the Society is to increase the emphasis on organizing student chapters.
  • Increase International membership through an expansion of overseas Affiliates and Chapters.

Group of AVS Members

Goal 2

Empower our Members Success
Goal 2:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 3 | Goal 4

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Empower our Members Success

2020-2024 Objectives

  • Establish a stable membership with 4800+ members.
  • Increase industrial membership to 30% or greater.

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Goal 2

Empower our Members Success
Goal 2:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 3 | Goal 4

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Empower our Members Success

Get Involved

  • Utilize local and student chapters to develop new promotional methods for membership recruitment and enhancement.
  • Strengthen interactions with Society committees that can directly influence membership (Conferences for example).
  • Leverage existing industrial membership to help penetrate corporate R&D to emphasize how and where the Society can provide benefits to the company and its employees.
  • Volunteer in AVS: www.avs.org/Form/Volunteer

Students Networking

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Goal 3

Foster International Collaborations
Goal 3:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 4

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Foster International Collaborations

AVS helps members form and maintain worldwide communities interested in common areas of science and engineering. AVS supports international members by providing professional development opportunities, managing international conferences, and growing relationships with international affiliates and chapters.

Goal 3 Achievements:

• 3 International Chapters and Affiliates
• New PacSurf Conference (2014)

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Relationship-building with other societies and organizations requires sustained effort over long time periods.
  • PacSurf provides an opportunity to expand international co-operation and leadership.

World Globe

Goal 3

Foster International Collaborations
Goal 3:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 4

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GOAL 3 GOAL 1 Box
Foster International Collaborations

2020-2024 Objectives

  • Continue to engage and serve international members at all levels in the society.
  • Expand international interactions between AVS and related organizations around the world.
  • Explore interaction possibilities in regions with nascent technological industry, such as Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.
  • Increase number of international AVS Chapters and International Affiliates, such as in Egypt, Poland, Turkey, Hungary and others.

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Goal 3

Foster International Collaborations
Goal 3:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 4

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GOAL 3 GOAL 1 Box
Foster International Collaborations

Get Involved

  • Post to the AVS website an updated list of international affiliate societies, along with contact information for affiliate leaders. AVS members can then more easily learn about international activities.
  • AVS sponsored visitors to International Society meetings provide brief reports on their visits to the International Interactions Chair and Board of Directors.
  • Participate in IUVSTA conferences and ISO TC 201.
  • Nominate an international member for election to AVS leadership positions.
  • Start an international AVS Chapter or International Affiliate.
  • Volunteer in AVS: www.avs.org/Form/Volunteer

International Community Members

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Goal 4

Build a Diverse and Inclusive Society
Goal 4:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 3

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GOAL 4 GOAL 1 Box
Build a Diverse and Inclusive Society

AVS is committed to be a diverse society and that provides an inclusive environment for its members to interact with each other. This is achieved by developing and providing resources to enable early career professionals, technical specialists, and under-represented groups to succeed within AVS and in the global scientific and engineering enterprise.

Goal 4 Achievements:

• Industrial Advisory Board (2014)
• Technical Specialist membership category (2013)
• Ambassador Program (AVS 61)

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Challenge of decreased travel funding for industrial researchers
  • Overcoming the perceived minimal benefit for industrial researchers to participate in/attend meetings, or be a member of a professional society
  • Opportunity to add more Industrial Focus Topics, stagger the days they are offered, and implement an “Industrial Sessions at a Glance” page on-line and in the technical program.
  • "Spread the word" about AVS - educate others. Reach out and communicate to trade-specific communities about AVS.

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Goal 4

Build a Diverse and Inclusive Society
Goal 4:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 3

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GOAL 4 GOAL 1 Box
Build a Diverse and Inclusive Society

2020-2024 Objectives

  • Increase industrial participation at Annual International by 30 %.
  • Increase number of industrial AVS members
  • Increase awareness of the AVS technical library to industrial researchers.

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Goal 4

Build a Diverse and Inclusive Society
Goal 4:
Challenges & Opportunities
2020-2024 Objectives
Get Involved
Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 3

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GOAL 4 GOAL 1 Box
Build a Diverse and Inclusive Society

Get Involved

  • Increase industrial participation at annual International Symposium and Exhibition by 30 %.
  • Advertise the annual symposium and AVS membership benefits to your colleagues
  • Ask your industrial colleagues what can AVS do to help them grow professionally
  • Volunteer in AVS: www.avs.org/Form/Volunteer.

Round Table Meeting

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