Conference on Functional Materials Engineering

In this conference we will focus on the complete value chain of functional materials engineering. We will dive into the deposition and application of functional materials as well as its characterization. There are 4 specific topics related to the generic topic of Functional Materials Engineering:

1. Materials Technologies for engineering liquid-surface interactions
   Mastering the control of liquid/solid interactions is crucial for diversifying the functionalities of surfaces and interfaces, while also ensuring the high-quality implementation of coating and printing processes. These interactions depend on a plethora of intertwined parameters, such as surface tension, viscosity, thermal conductivity, surface chemistry, and topography, to name just a few. Consequently, engineering solid/liquid interphases remains highly challenging. This session aims to shed light on mechanisms and processes that help engineer liquid/surface interactions to better design surfaces.
   
   
2. Materials Technologies for durable coatings
   For the creation and/or improvement of metal surface properties advanced coating systems are developed based on durable chemistries and processing. Functional properties are key for the successful application of metals in many industries. Harsh exposure environments like in marine or the energy field call for severe protection systems against corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement or other (electro)chemical interactions, while electronics call for dedicated thin functional coatings providing protection while supporting the electrical functionality. The development of durable coating systems requires an interdisciplinary approach combining organic, inorganic and hybrid chemistries, dedicated surface and interface analyses, properties’ experimental investigations combined with advanced modelling.
   
   
3. Materials Technologies for flexible and stretchable electronics
   Integration of sensors and electronic components into products make them smart for use in “Internet-of-Things” (IoT) applications. To seamless embed the electronic components and circuitry, ultrathin deposition of (conductive) materials is necessary. Further, their deposition on flexible and stretchable substrates is crucial for sustainable and conformal solutions. In this session, the focus lies on the deposition of conductive circuits, (printed) sensors and integration of electronic components on flexible and stretchable substrates, or for their (hybrid) integration in 3D applications.
   
   
4. Materials Technologies for Organic and Perovskite Electronics
   Organic materials are widespread alternatives to their inorganic variants for applications such as Photovoltaïcs, Light Emitting Devices, Photodetectors, Thermo-electrics … In this session, the application of these organic materials, device architectures for (specifically) energy applications and their characterization are focal points. Combining the organic materials expertise with large-area deposition techniques such as screen printing or spray coating, make these materials ultimate candidates for renewable energy applications of the future.

During this conference, masterclasses and key-note presentations from experts in the field will be combined with training of researchers on valorisation and IP. As a participant you can also submit an abstract for oral or poster presentation. More information can be found here.

The program of the 4-day mini-conference is composed as follows:

• Day 1: Masterclasses on various topics linked to Functional Materials Engineering. Speakers are renowned experts from both the academic and business worlds;
• Day 2: First day of the mini-conference on which the participants (PhDs and postdocs) can present, supplemented with key-note speakers;
• Day 3: Second day of the mini-conference on which the participants (PhDs and postdocs) can present, supplemented with key-note speakers;
• Day 4: Keynotes by industrial partners combined with a poster session from PhD and postdoctoral researcher with the aim to think about valorisation of the research. In the afternoon training sessions on IP and valorization will be organised.
  

The list of invited speakers for both the masterclasses and the keynotes can be found here

An abstract book can be found here from September 1st 2024.

Registration for the conference is very flexible. You can opt for a single day ticket, combination of days or for the full 4 days. A regular ticket for one day will come at the cost of €50. Each extra day is an extra €50. However, if you opt for the full 4-day conference, you only have to pay for 3 days (= €150). PhD and postdoctoral researchers linked to a Flemish University and PhD and postdoctoral researchers from the EURECA-PRO network, only pay €20 service fee for the full 4-day conference.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, we ask you to present your recent results to the community. This can be during an oral talk in the session with the keynote speakers, or during a poster presentation, exposed during the conference days. Template for abstract submission can be found here.

Please submit your abstract before August 15th to funcoat@uhasselt.be.

Notification of acceptance as oral or poster presentation will be done before September 1st 2024.

Prof. dr. ir. Wim Deferme, Hasselt University, Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec)

Prof. dr. ir. David Seveno, KU Leuven, Department of Materials Engineering

Prof. dr. ir. Tom Hauffman, VUB, Department Materials and Chemistry

Prof. dr. ir. Iris De Graeve, VUB, Department Materials and Chemistry

For all questions, please contact us via funcoat@uhasselt.be