13th Materials Technology Colloquium (30.09/01.10.2010)

The traditional Materials Science Colloquium was held for the thirteenth time at the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology. At the materials science conference on 30 September and 1 October 2010, more than 80 scientific lectures and poster contributions reported on the latest research results, innovative applications and process engineering developments. The pleasingly high number of participants, 240 guests from Germany and abroad, once again confirms the acceptance of this conference in the constant exchange of knowledge with other colleagues in the field.

The thematic focal points of this year's conference included thermal spraying, electroplating, build-up welding, the finishing of high-strength aluminium and composite materials, as well as special issues relating to the surface treatment of materials.

In addition, current research results from two special research areas in Chemnitz and Freiberg were presented: a) SFB 692 of the TU Chemnitz "High-strength aluminium-based lightweight materials for safety components" and b) SFB 799 "TRIP-Matrix Composite" of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. In this context, Prof. Bernhard Wielage and Prof. Biermann, as spokespersons for the two SFBs, expressly emphasise the good scientific cooperation between the two universities. On the one hand, it is about improving the strength characteristics of aluminium alloys and, on the other hand, about the design of composite materials based on Fe-ZrO2. Also, the first results of a research association (PAK 437) "Production, property analysis and wear behaviour of technical surfaces made of microstructured, metallic materials and coatings" could be presented.

Other highlights included the impressive keynote speech by Mr. J. Ramisch on the ASCONA project as well as the awarding of prizes for the best conference contributions. These were awarded to: 1) Ms A. Yania (TUBA Freiberg), 2) Mr Th. Lindner (TU Chemnitz), 3) Mr K. Kerber (LU Hannover) and 4) Dr Kieselstein (Kieselstein GmbH Chemnitz).

The scientific contributions were summarised in a refereed conference volume (www.wtk.tu-chemnitz.de).

The Institute of Materials Science and Engineering is once again inviting participants to Chemnitz on 22 and 23 November 2010 for the annual advanced training course "Electrochemical Coatings - Production and Characterisation". Interested parties from industry, vocational training centres and research institutions will be given a theoretical and practical insight into electrochemical processes and procedures as well as into material and surface characterisation methods with the two-day advanced training programme. Information on registration and the course programme is available atwww.tu-chemnitz.de/mb/OTF/WKES. We look forward to seeing you there.

The hosts welcome the guests with a champagne reception Chemnitz, 25 October 2010 Prof. B. Wielage / Prof. T. Lampke / Dipl.-Ing. D. Meyer