Conference on Functional Materials highlights crossover research and valorisation
Hasselt University, VUB and KU Leuven are joining forces for Conference FME: a conference that focuses on spreading knowledge about Functional Materials Engineering across different research domains. At the same time, the conference also wants to involve industrial partners to explore valorisation of academic research into industrial applications. Wim Deferme, professor at the Institute for Materials Research imo-imomec (Hasselt University/imec) is taking the lead, together with David Seveno (KU Leuven), Tom Haufmann (VUB) and Iris De Graeve (VUB), in creating a unique cross-pollination between PhD and postdoctoral researchers, academic experts, tech-transfer colleagues and industry contacts.
One of a kind
Most conferences are usually linked to one topic or application: it’s a deep dive into one specific subject. Prof. Wim Deferme explains that Conference FME is rather atypical: “We broaden the topic and want to focus on 4 aspects, namely organic and perovskite electronics, printed and flexible electronics, sustainable coatings and the interaction between liquids and solid surfaces.”
To maximise knowledge transfer, the conference starts with several master classes on these 4 topics, followed by the typical keynote lectures that you would expect at a regular conference. “We also invite researchers to present their own work and submit an abstract. Finally, on the last day we focus on valorisation: how can you translate your research into something that is also interesting socially and industrially.”
Valuable insights
“First of all, with this conference we address researchers in Flanders and beyond,” says Prof. Deferme. “At this event, researchers get the opportunity to learn from experts, but also from each other, especially from fellow academics who have made the transition to industry.”
The organisers hope to attract industrial players in addition to researchers from the academic world. “We invite speakers from the industry, such as Airbus, QUAD Industries and ESMA. They share how they collaborate with the academic world: this is valuable information for any company that is applying new materials.”
Sustainable vision
It’s no coincidence that this event receives support from various entities that value sustainability. For example, EURECA-PRO, the international university network, Hasselt University is a part of, supports the event. “EURECA-PRO focuses on sustainable consumption and production. The four topics of this conference all have something to do with sustainable production technology and sustainable use of materials. Just think of research on flexible electronics, where sustainable materials that can be easily recycled, are developed,” explains Prof. Deferme.
The doctoral schools of the universities involved also support this initiative. “Just like us, the doctoral schools consider knowledge sharing and dissemination to be very important. By making these types of bottom-up initiatives permanently possible, they accelerate the development of new insights within the academic world. At the same time, they encourage young researchers to think about product development and production technology with applications within industry and society.”
Practical details
Program and registrations
www.uhasselt.be/conferenceFME
Dates
September 30 to October 3, 2024
Location
Embuild Limburg, Science Park 33, 3590 Diepenbeek
Questions? Please send an email to funcoat@uhasselt.be.
Partners
Prof. Dr. Wim Deferme
