Rapid changes in the Earth’s climate and increasingly important geopolitical considerations have led to an urgent need for the introduction of self-sufficient sustainable energy technologies in Europe. Surface and plasma technologies play a key role here, ranging from hydrogen and battery technologies to plasma-based chemical synthesis and photovoltaics. This session will therefore provide an overview of the relevant approaches in these and adjacent areas.

Main Topics
Surface engineering, plasma technologies, energy storage and convertion, battery & hydrogen technologies, photovoltaics, solar thermal applications, plasma based synthesis

Target Group
Technologists, technology scouts of companies, academic researchers, development service providers, surface engineers

Tutorial Committee
Dr. Jörg Neidhardt, Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Dresden, Germany;
Dave Doerwald, IHI Hauzer Techno Coating B.V., The Netherlands;
Adam Obrusnik, PlasmaSolve s.r.o., Czech Republic;
Fabian Fertig, Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH, Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany

Surface coatings often determine the utility value of tools and components. Hard coatings on tools improve the speed and quality of mechanical machining. Super-lubricating coatings reduce friction losses of sliding components, making them economical and environmentally friendly. Innovative surface solutions can replace critical materials. The workshop with expert speakers from research and industry offers a look behind current solutions in surface technology.

Main Topics
Coating solutions for tools and components, technological insights, surface analytics, materials

Target Group
Technologists, designers, developers and users from mechanical engineering-, automotive- and aerospace industries as well as tool makers and coating providers

Tutorial Committee
Dr. Otmar Zimmer, Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, Germany;
Philipp Immich, IHI Hauzer Techno Coating B. V., Venlo, The Netherlands;
Klaus Böbel, Oerlikon Surface Solutions AG, Balzers, Liechtenstein;
Dr. Christian Kalscheuer, IOT at RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

The aim is to present innovative technologies in the field of optics, optoelectronics and integrated photonics and their industrial applications in order to demonstrate their potential for future business strategies and production processes in the coating industry. Innovations in optoelectronics and integrated photonics are revolutionising coating technology by enabling more precise, efficient and optically active coatings that open up new dimensions of performance in applications such as sensors, energy-efficient surfaces and highly sensitive optical systems.

Main Topics
Coatings for high-performance optics, optoelectronics, integrated photonics, Ion beam sputtering/figuring, Epitaxie, surface preparation, cleaning/purification

Target Group
Scientist, engineers and technicians working in coating technologies or optical system or microelectronic/semiconductor, development and production.

Tutorial Committee
Dr. Sven Schröder, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, Jena, Germany;
Dr. Mathias Mende, Edmund Optics GmbH, Mainz, Germany;
Dr. Wenko Süptitz, Industrieverband SPECTARIS, Berlin, Germany

Plasma based surface treatment processes play an important role in many areas of life science- and bio-technologies. All such surfaces share their demands on customers safety, biocompatibility, functionality, mechanical resilience and durability. Innovative approaches are needed e.g. for the development of innovative implants or sustainable processing of plant raw materials and residues, in food processing, hygiene or surface sterilization. Such plasma treatments, especially for antimicrobial surface, are not limited to bio- and med-tech applications, but may also be used for the treatment of hospital wastewater or the self-disinfection of surfaces and articles in clinical environments.

Main Topics
Implant Coatings, Plasma Surface Treatments, Additive Manufacturing, Plasma Applications, Tribology, Surfaces, Coatings, Antimicrobial, Bioeconomy, Biotechnology, Foodtechnology

Target Group
Systems and Mechanical Engineering, Surface & Microsystems Technology, Biotechnology

Tutorial Committee
Dr. Frank Hempel, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e.V. (INP), Greifswald, Germany;
Dr. Canet Acikgoz, Oerlikon Surface Solutions AG, Balzers, Liechtenstein;
Harald Holeczek, MEDICOAT AG, Mägenwil, Switzerland

Flexible materials are ubiquitous companions in our daily lives. We encounter them in many technical devices, but also in packaging of all kinds. In most cases, a coating of the surface is necessary to give the material the properties that make it suitable for an application. Against this background, the understanding and further development of coating technology plays a decisive role in the development of new products.

The issue of sustainability is very important in this context. In almost all cases, the avoidance of additional waste or microplastics is a key development goal. The focus here is primarily on the use of mono-materials in food packaging. This facilitates the transition to a circular economy.

Particular attention is being paid to the class of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Intensive research is being carried out worldwide into ways of substituting these substances. The aim is to prevent them from permanently accumulating in the environment due to their high stability.

The workshop will focus on novel coating technologies that can make a significant contribution to solving the problems at hand, and the scaling of these technologies to industrial roll-to-roll processes.

Next to (food) packaging, applications in photovoltaics, the energy management of buildings, liquid and air filtration, and outdoor textiles will also be addressed. Here too, coated flexible materials play an important role and contribute to finding sustainable solutions.

Tutorial Committee
Dr. Matthias Fahland, Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Dresden, Germany
Filip Legein, Europlasma NV, Oudenaarde, Belgium

Scientists present current development results of their research projects, which are accompanied by the European Society of Thin Films and its expert committees. The contents are relevant across all V2025 workshops. Collaborative industrial research projects are funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag.

Main Topics
You will gain an insight into diverse research projects that are / were supervised by the EFDS.

Tutorial Committee
Dr. Katrin Ferse, European Society of Thin Films (EFDS e.V.), Dresden, Germany

From the basics to emerging applications.