Structured and Freeform Surfaces Topical Meeting

Fraunhofer IPT Aachen, Germany 10 – 11 February 2010

The second technical meeting of the euspen (european society for precision engineering and nanotechnology) Special Interest Group: Structured and Freeform Surfaces will focus on the technology, needs and design of engineered surfaces. The meeting will include formal presentations and open discussions of future priorities. 
 
Topical Areas:
 · Structured Surfaces to Effect Function
 · Freeform Optics
 · Large Scale Surface Structuring
  
About the meeting:
The ability to deterministically alter the topographic structure of a surface can have a profound effect on how that surface functions. Surface effects cause many mechanical components to fail and can contribute significantly to the cost of a device. Control of the areal nature of a surface allows the manufacturer to alter how a surface interacts with its surroundings. In this way optical, tribological, biological, fluidic and many other properties can be altered.

For example, control of topography is important for:
 
 -       surface structuring to encourage the binding of biological molecules, for example proteins, cells or enzymes;
 -       freeform optics to significantly reduce the amount of optics in imaging systems;
 -       micro-lens arrays for displays and photo-voltaics;
 -       prismatic arrays for safety clothing, signage and LED lighting;
 -       nanostructured surfaces that affect plasmonic interactions for anti-reflection coatings, waveguides and colour control;
 -       surfaces of microfluidic channels for flow control, mixing, lab-on-a-chip and biological filtering;
 -       deterministic patterning to control tribological characteristics such as friction, rheology and wear.
 
Also, of key importance these days, is that the ability to deterministically structure a surface can have positive effects on energy consumption, lifetime and waste production rates.

Please notice that participation to this meeting may be possible for members only.

Look HERE for more information about this event.