Biological coatings actually create appropriate interfaces between bioimplants (or medical devices) and living tissue. Such coatings or interafces should either exhibit desirable biological properties, e.g., biocompatibility, bioactivity, haemocompatibility, antibacterial ability and etc., or improved intrinsic properties, such as wear-, corrosion-, and fatigue-resistance. This symposium focuses on recent advances in biological coatings/interfaces research, including interface design and characterization, coating processing and characterization, in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical trials of various biological coatings/interfaces and other areas.

The purpose of this symposium is to provide an international forum for discussion and exchange of ideas on the up-to-date research and development of advanced thin film processes and materials for clean energy production. The participants from various industries, universities, and research laboratories are welcome to submit papers to discuss recent advances, developments, field applications, and future challenges for producing clean energy using thin film technologies. Major topics include every kind of thin films used in the applications of solar cells, photochemistry, hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, etc. Papers on recent development in the plasmon-enhanced processes is extremely welcome. The presentation and discussion will focus on both basic science and applied technology. Reviewed papers will be published in an international journal.

This symposium is for discussion and exchange of ideas and case studies in industrial coating applications. The participants from various industries, universities, and research laboratories are welcome to submit papers to discuss advanced developments towards real case industrial applications covering thin films and coatings processes, technological inventions/developments including processing or characterization equipment. The presentation and discussion should focus on applied technologies.

Electrochemistry of Thin Films; Physical Electrochemistry of Thin Films; Electrodeposition; Nanoscale Aspects in Electrochemical Surface Modification and Corrosion; Surfactant and Additive Effects on Thin Film Deposition and Particle Growth; Thin Film Sensors; Display Thin Films; Corrosion, Passivation and Anodic Thin Films; Electrochemical Surface Treatments; Electrochemical Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Magnetic, Optical, Spintronic, and Conductive Thin Films; Electrochemistry of Graphene, Carbon Nanotube, Fullerene, and Diamondlike Carbon; Nanostructured and Functionalized Polymer Thin Films; Impedance Based Thin Film Sensors for Electroanalysis, etc.

Functional ceramic thin films have attracted intensive efforts and experienced tremendous progress in recent years, including both fundamental research and applications. This symposium aims to provide a discussion forum for both the materials and the applications, including Preparation & Processing Methods, Measurement Techniques, New Characterization Methods, and Fundamental Materials Investigations. The scope of the symposium includes(1) Materials: ion Conductors and Mixed Conductors; Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric; Porous Materials; other New Functional Ceramics; (2) Applications: energy Conversion/Storage Devices such as Batteries, Capacitors, Fuel Cells; Microdevices for power supply and energy harvesting; Electrochemical Reactors, Permeation Membranes; Sensors, Transducers, Nanoionics/Nanoelectronics Devices; and other Emerging Applications

Nanostructured and nanocomposite thin films or coatings compose of a matrix and an imbedded nanocrystalline phase. The matrix can be either polycrystalline or amorphous. This session concentrates on process, properties and application of such nanocomposite films (thin or thick) for protection or for functional applications, stand-alone or as coatings.

Electrical and optical properties of thin film materials used in a variety of optoelectronic, optical, and electronic devices strongly affect the performances of the devices. While, these physical properties are critically dependent on the deposition conditions and post-treatment details. This session serves as a forum for highlighting advances in deposition and post-treatment technologies of the thin films for optoelectronic and dielectric applications. Characterization and modeling of the thin films are also within the scope of this session.

Oxide films, nano and heterostructures are in the focus of advanced materials research because of their unique properties and multifunctional behaviour. Sessions focusing on electronic, solar control and chromogenic coatings, photocatalytic water splitting, sensing and photovoltaic applications are envisioned. Contributions on anisotropic structures such as nanowires, rods, tubes and fibers of simple and doped-metal oxides and heterostructures are of special interest are also welcomed. Submissions should address innovative and environmental friendly approaches to processing of metal oxide structures as well as industrial applications of functional thin films. Further, biomedical applications such as cytotoxicity studies, biomarkers, contrast agents and drug delivery systems are also integral part of the scientific scope.

This symposium invites presentations on the latest research and development in the design, fabrication, characterization, simulation, prototyping, processing, and commercialization of organic/polymer thin films for various applications. Organic/polymer thin films may include (but not limited to): functional thin films (e.g. anti-microbial, self-cleaning, smart thin films, anti-counterfeiting, etc), polymer thin films for biomedical applications (e.g. biocompatible coatings, anti-thrombogenic coatings, coatings for tissue engineering substrates, polymer thin films for drug delivery, etc), polymeric nanocomposite thin films (e.g. electrically conducting thin films, thermally conducting coatings, etc), polymer thin films in energy conversion devices (e.g. solar cells, fuel cells).

The objective of this symposium is to bring together researchers working in the new and exciting area of thin film, smart materials and surface issues, including the following main topics: (1) Shape memory, piezoelectric and responsive materials/polymers, thin films and coatings; (2) Surface processing of shape memory, piezoelectric and responsive materials/polymers (plasma treatment, ion beam, electron beam, laser treatment, oxidation, coatings, etc); (3) Surface related issues of shape memory, responsive and piezoelectric materials (corrosion, wear, friction, surface mechanics, cell growth, biocompatibility, biomemetic, etc). (4) Experimental and mechanics of self-assembly and responsive surface elastic instability, and smart polymers including hydrogel; (5) Surface wrinkling and bio-inspired surface structures, micro and nanoengineering on smart surfaces; (6) Smart MEMS actuators, nanoscale devices and circuits, microsensors, and smart memory devices and chips.