Nanotribology will be a focus this year at WTC III

Nanotechnology and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices will be highlighted during a number of technical sessions at this year's World Tribology Conference III (WTC III) in Washington, D.C.

The conference, which is intended to boost the global awareness and significance of tribology, is scheduled to take place from Sept. 12–16 at the Washington Hilton. This international event will bring together tribology scientists, researchers and engineers from more than 60 countries, as well as participants from more than 35 cooperating associations.

Several sessions will focus on nanotribology and its role in the fast-growing area of nanotechnology, as well as the influence of adhesion and stiction in MEMS devices. The conference will also include a special K.L Johnson Symposium, which will pay tribute to Johnson, a pioneer in the field of contact mechanics.

The technical program will also cover many important areas that are vital to industrial technologies, such as lubricants, wear, tribochemistry, additives, bearings, engines, materials, surface engineering and aerospace. Advances in health and safety topics will be highlighted, with an emphasis on the impact of tribology on biomaterials and biomedical devices. Several sessions have also been organized to address orthopedic joints.

In addition to the technical sessions, the program features plenary talks by distinguished scientists and industry leaders, including Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, a Nobel Laureate in Physics; Van C. Mow, professor of biomedical engineering at Columbia University, James Spearot, director of R&D for General Motors; and Wilfried J. Bartz, a professor at Technische Akademie Esslingen in Germany.

For registration information, or to find out more about the WTC III program, visit www.conferencetoolbox.org/WTC05/index.cfm.

back to meetings & courses