Materials Research Laboratory

Advanced Materials Characterization Workshop
June 11 and 12, 2008

Advanced Materials Characterization Workshop

Registration | Program | Demos | Sponsors
This workshop will provide a two-day condensed overview of the most important analytical techniques available in the CMM, with a strong focus in practical applications and problem solving strategies. The workshop will consist of lectures covering techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray diffraction and reflectivity (XRD, XRR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), near field microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The lectures will be given by FS-MRL facility scientists with 10+ years of hands-on experience in each particular technique. The workshop will cover:

Workshop Topics

• The fundamentals of each analytical technique.
• Comparative review of the instrumentation available for each technique with emphasis on differences in resolution, sensitivity, sample requirements.
• Data acquisition strategies and data interpretation methods.
• Expert tips on how to avoid measurement artifacts and typical examples of data acquired at CMM
• Discussion of strengths and weaknesses of each technique and how to combine techniques to extract the best possible complementary information.
• Detailed discussion of practical examples including industrial applications in microelectronics, coating, bioengineering, nanotechnology and medical / pharmaceutical research.

The first workshop on this topic in May 2007 was attended by 200 participants who gave 99% positive feed back on the quality and usefulness of the lectures. This year’s workshop is an expanded, two-day event with more detailed lectures with demonstrations of the techniques and tours in the laboratory.

Registration

Registration is now closed.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Eastland Suites, 1907 N. Cunningham, Urbana, IL 61802 217-367- 8331 (reservation code: CMM / deadline May 16, 2008).
Hotel website: www.eastlandsuitesurbana.com

For more information contact: Ramona Simpson, simpson@mrl.uiuc.edu, (217)333-1371, or
Mauro Sardela, sardela@illinois.edu, (217)244-0547.

Demos

Demonstrations of major analytical techniques using some of our mainstream instruments will be performed by the staff during the workshop. Demos will cover practical aspects of analysis of common samples with on-site real time data collection and quantification. The demos will be primarily offered to registered participants that are from outside campus. Sign up is required and space is limited. When filling out the registration form, participants are required to select the techniques of interest for demo. Demos will be offered over the two days of the workshop.

Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunity: the workshop is a great opportunity for vendors and industrial and academic institutions to advertise their products. Over 150 participants from various academic and industrial institutions covering various research fields are expected to attend the workshop, most of them with purchase influence or decision power over a variety of technical products. Last year’s version of the workshop had nearly 200 attendees over a single day event. This year the workshop will cover two full days of lectures and tutorials, in addition to lab tours and detailed instrument demonstrations. Therefore even higher exposure and visibility is expected this year for sponsors. Sponsorship will help to cover the expenses of the organization of the event. These are the benefits that we can provide to sponsors:

• we will distribute literature and promotional materials provided by the sponsors during the workshop;
• inclusion of the sponsors names, logos and contact information in the workshop web page, posters and written materials;
• acknowledgement of each sponsor during the workshop presentations;
• sponsors present at the workshop will have the opportunity to network directly with customers.

Suggested sponsorship level is $ 300.00. This level includes one free registration (a $ 150.00 value with attendance to all workshop lectures, tours, and lunches for one person from each sponsoring institution. If your institution or company is interested in sponsoring the workshop, please contact Dr. Mauro Sardela, sardela@illinois.edu, (217) 244 0547.