Topics

Thin films and coatings (COAT)

Focus topic on functional layers deposited on bulk materials in the form of organic, inorganic, and hybrid thin films and thick coatings. The sessions include the synthesis of (novel) coatings, deposition methods, interface and interphase behavior, dedicated characterization techniques for structural and compositional analysis, as well as efficiency evaluation, …

Metals (MET)

Focus topic on metals as base material. The session includes novel alloys, surface treatments, functionalization, and nanostructuring of the material, along with the characterization of mechanical and chemical properties, with a focus on the formed interfaces and surfaces.

Polymers (POL)

Focus topic on polymers as base material. The session includes novel polymer formulations, modification strategies, functionalization, and nanostructuring of the material, along with the characterization of mechanical and chemical properties, with a focus on the formed interfaces and surfaces.

Glasses, Ceramics, and Oxides (GCO)

Focus topic on glasses, ceramics, and oxides as base material. The session includes innovative compositions, surface treatments, functionalization, and nanostructuring of the material, along with the characterization of mechanical and chemical properties, with a focus on the formed interfaces and surfaces.

Additively manufactured materials (AM)

Focus topic on additively manufactured materials of any type (metallic, polymeric, or ceramic). The session includes surface treatments and functionalization of the newly formed surfaces and interfaces of this type of materials, their behavior in relevant environments, and insights in the connection between processing and surface properties.

Biomaterial engineering and analysis (BIO)

Focus topic on the surfaces and interfaces of biomaterials. The session includes the engineering and functionalization of these materials, challenges in surface characterization, their integration into relevant working environments, and in-situ analysis, …

Corrosion (COR)

Focus topic on the corrosion of metals. The session includes analysis of the corrosion products formed, dedicated analysis techniques, in-situ characterization, combination with relevant electrochemical analysis, development of novel materials with enhanced anti-corrosion properties, corrosion inhibitors, …

Tribology (TRIB)

Focus topic on the tribological aspects of surfaces. The session includes the relationship between (treated) surfaces and their friction, wear, or lubrication properties, in-situ and operando analysis, dedicated pretreatments, …

Surfaces of porous materials (POR)

This topic focuses on the synthesis, treatment, and properties of external and internal surfaces of micro-, meso- and nanoporous materials. The session includes treatment techniques, analysis tools, and applications.

Catalysis (CAT)

Focus topic on (electro)catalytic materials. The session covers the catalytic functionalization of surfaces, catalytic efficiency of materials, surface properties of (porous) catalysts, in-situ and operando analysis techniques, …

Energy storage and conversion (ENERG)

This topic focuses on materials in the energy market and transition. It includes materials and material assemblies for energy production, storage, and convertion, with emphasis on surfaces and interfaces within these assemblies, operando analysis, and dedicated characterization techniques, …

In-situ and near ambient pressure analysis

Dedicated session on non-vacuum analysis of surfaces and interfaces: solid-liquid, solid-gas, and liquid-gas interfaces and interactions. The topic also covers the use of (near)-ambient and high-pressure analysis tools (such as near-ambient XPS (NAXPS), environmental SEM, in-situ Raman, or IR spectroscopy) in a possible (but not necessarily) combination with electrochemical approaches. Dedicated contributions on best practices for measurement and data analysis using these techniques are encouraged.

Nanomaterials and nanostructuring

This topic focuses on nanomaterials and dedicated nanostructuring techniques. The topic includes specific high-resolution characterization techniques for the analysis of these materials (such as TEM, nano-IR, SPM, and related methods).

Technique development and metrology (TECH)

Novel techniques and novel methodologies play a key role in the challenges associated with new material, surface, and interface development. This session focuses on state-of-the-art characterization tools, novel developments, and discussion on the path forward. Furthermore, advancements in metrology and best practices in measurement techniques are an important part of this session.

Machine learning in surface science (ML)

Spectroscopic techniques provide a wide range of information, which is not always fully accessible to the researchers. By combining multiple analytical techniques, data interpretation becomes even more powerful. Machine learning has high potential in extracting hidden information from spectroscopic techniques. This session focusses on the use of machine learning in spectroscopic data interpretation and highlights best practices and limitations of the approach.

Data analysis (DAT)

Spectroscopic and imaging techniques yield an immense amount of data that requires proper treatment and interpretation. This session focusses on novel insights in data analysis, software, and potential bottlenecks and challenges.

Theoretical modeling of surfaces and interfaces (MOD)

This topic focuses on the theoretical understanding of surfaces and interfaces. Modeling from the microscale to the atomic scale, interactions between phases, influence of contaminants, dynamic modelling, … are all part of this session.

Heritage and geology (HERGEO)

This topic addresses surfaces and interfaces of archeological and geological materials. The session focuses on surface characterization, the link between composition and origin, and dedicated techniques for the analysis of historically and geologically significant objects.