The SICT 2026 topics include:

Coating Deposition & Surface Treatment Technologies

• Physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD, CVD)
• Cold spraying and thermal spraying techniques
• Thermochemical surface treatments
• Electroplating and electroless plating
• Wet chemical and electrochemical processes (e.g., sol-gel coatings, anodization)

Surface Functionalization & Engineering

• Functional surface treatments for enhanced performance
• Surface nanoengineering and nano-texturing
• Fabrication of ultra-thin films and nano-coatings
• Graded, multilayered, hybrid, and composite coatings

Coating Characterization & Modeling

• Experimental techniques for surface and interface characterization
• Modeling and simulation of coating performance and degradation
• Adhesion science and interface interactions
• Mechanical, chemical, and structural analysis of surfaces

Advanced Materials & Emerging Coating Systems

• Graphene, carbon-based, and 2D material coatings
• Smart and stimuli-responsive coatings (self-healing, self-cleaning, etc.)
• Hydro-, oleo-, and ice-phobic/philic surfaces
• Multi-functional coatings for adaptive or tunable properties

Performance-Oriented Coating Applications

• Tribological coatings for friction and wear control (abrasion, erosion, fretting)
• Corrosion-, oxidation-, and thermal-resistant coatings
• Diffusion barriers and high-temperature protective layers

Coatings for Energy & Functional Applications

• Coatings in sustainable and renewable energy systems
• Optical, electrical, magnetic, and photovoltaic coatings
• Functional surfaces for energy conversion and storage
• Coatings for hydrogen production, fuel cells, and battery systems

Biomedical & Biointerface Coatings

• Bioactive and biocompatible surface coatings
• Antibacterial, antifouling, and cell-interactive surfaces
• Surface engineering for implants, sensors, and medical devices

In addition to the main conference sessions covering the event topics, different focus sessions/symposia (and/or workshops) are planned. These focus sessions and workshops will offer the conference participants the opportunity to go more into depth with one specific topic.