Sintering 2008 - Offering the Latest Advances in the Sintering Process

The Sintering 2008 Conference happening November 16-20, 2008 in La Jolla, California addresses the latest advances in the sintering processes for the fabrication of powder-based materials. A broad range of topics from fundamentals to industrial applications for all classes of materials is addressed. Sintering, besides its traditional importance for the production of structural and electronic components, is emerging as a leading tool for the synthesis of nano-structured materials for a variety of fields including energy, environment and health. This conference will focus on our increasing ability to design complex and multi-functional materials with specific microstructures and properties. This will be the fifth meeting in a series that started in 1995 as a continuation of the famous cycle of conferences on Sintering and Related Phenomena organized by Prof. G. Kuczynski. In recent years, previous conferences were held at Pennsylvania State University in 1995, 1999 and 2003 and at Grenoble, France, in September 2005. A distinguishing feature of the Sintering 2008 Conference will be the broad geographic representation of various sintering research communities from around the world. Key researchers in the field have committed to attend this meeting and describe their most recent findings.

To augment the traditional technical presentations, which will include plenary, invited and contributed talks, specific programs are planned to facilitate discussions among participants. In particular, a round table discussion on the “Fundamental Aspects of Novel Sintering Techniques” is planned to enable the direct exchange of ideas. The poster sessions will also offer an excellent opportunity for focused discussions. The conference will gather scholars and educators at all career levels in an atmosphere conducive not only to making technical progress, but also for establishing collaborations and professional relationships. The meeting setting will provide ample time for discussions and networking. In addition to discussion and presentation of the latest advances, the meeting will provide a venue for:

• Identification of key research topics in the field
• Identification and establishment of collaborations
• Bringing together the most prominent researchers in the area
• Encouragement of young professionals in the field