Bulk Crystals, Ceramics, and Composites

Bulk crystals and ceramics have a fundamental role in modern technology. A good knowledge of structure and essential properties, allow tailoring new hybrid or composite materials. Special topics:

• New bulk materials, fundamentals and applications
• Thermodynamic, phase diagrams of new compounds
• New preparation techniques, including additive manufacturing
• Multifunctional bulk crystals, ceramics and composites

Topic chairpersons:

• Liviu Nedelcu (nedelcu@infim.ro), National Institute of Materials Physics, Magurele, Romania
• Florin Stănculescu (fstanculescu@gmail.com), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics

Thin Films, 2D Systems and Nanostructures

This symposium intends to bring together scientists and engineers involved in various aspects of the synthesis, characterization, and theoretical modeling of thin films, 2D materials and nanostructures with special emphasis on (multi)functional advanced materials. Special topics:

• Preparation and basic characterization
• Size effects in ultra-thin films, 2D materials and nanostructures
• Interfaces/surfaces in multilayers and composite functional materials
• New materials/New functionalities
• Modelling and simulation of physical properties in thin films and nanostructures

Topic chairpersons:

• Ștefan Antohe (s_antohe@yahoo.com), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics
• George Stan (george_stan@infim.ro), National Institute of Materials Physics, Magurele, Romania

Advanced Characterization Methods

Nowadays, an impressively large number of powerful characterization techniques is being used by physicists, chemists, biologists and engineers in order to solve analytical research problems; especially those related to the investigation of the properties of new materials for advanced applications. Special topic for this section:

• Diffraction techniques (XRD, neutron scattering, XAS, etc.)
• Spectroscopic techniques (Raman, IR, THz, NMR, EPR, Moessbauer, etc.)
• Chemical characterization (mass spectroscopies, neutron activation, electron and ion beam analysis, etc.)
• Synchrotron and surface techniques (XPS and variants, XRD, etc.)
• Microscopic techniques (SEM, TEM and associated methods, AFM, SPM, etc.)

Topic chairpersons:

• Silviu Poloșan (silv@infim.ro), National Institute of Materials Physics, Magurele, Romania
• Sorina Iftimie (sorina.iftimie@fizica.unibuc.ro), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics

Applications of Advanced Functional Materials

Advanced functional materials have shown their applicability for a range of technologies because of their enhanced and improved physical, chemical, and functional properties. They are used for variety of applications, from electronics to sensor devices to energy, environmental, and medical fields. Special topics:

• Electronic, optoelectronic, and communications with special emphasis in memories, neuromorphic and analog computing, quantum technologies, novel communication devices, piezotronics, ferroelectronics, etc.
• Energy generation, harvesting and storage
• Sensors, including biosensors
• Biotechnologies and bioinspired materials and devices
• Security and space applications
• Healthcare applications, wearables, etc.

Topic chairpersons:

• Mihaela Florea (mihaela.florea@infim.ro), National Institute of Materials Physics, Magurele, Romania
• Anca Dumitru (anka.dumitru@gmail.com), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics