Mechanical Surface Characterization Seminar
The second edition of the Mechanical Surface Characterization Seminar will take place from November 5 to November 7, 2025, in Graz, Austria.
The seminar offers an excellent opportunity to explore new trends and applications in mechanical surface characterization. It brings together international experts with a focus on nanoindentation, tribology, and scratch testing. Anton Paar TriTec experts will also be present, offering the opportunity to learn more about our instruments and the latest developments.
You’ll also be able to attend talks on a range of topics, including:
- Nanomechanical characterization of materials
- Innovative data analysis methods
- Measurement of deformations and stresses
- Time-dependent properties across various materials
- Tribological and wear studies
- Coating adhesion and scratch resistance testing
You are warmly invited to submit an abstract. If you would like to give a talk, download the abstract template here and submit it through the registration form. Contributions are welcome on all material types, including metals, ceramics, composites, polymers, hydrogels, biological materials, and more.
Speaker guidelines
- Regular talk: 20 minutes + 5 minutes for questions
- Invited speaker: 40 minutes + 5 minutes for questions
Registration
The MSC Seminar is for experts in the field of mechanical surface characterization, focusing on nanoindentation, tribology, and scratch testing and using the Anton Paar TriTec range of measuring instruments – as well as for anyone else interested in these technologies and applications.
Participation fees
- MSC Seminar: 180 €
- Short courses: 90 €
- Short course and MSC Seminar: 250 €
- For presenters, 80 € will be deducted.
- You will receive an invoice by email after your registration.
Deadlines and important dates
- Abstract submission: September 14, 2025
- End of registration: October 10, 2025
For late abstract submissions, please contact us at events.tritec[at]anton-paar.com.
Program
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Morning: Short courses
- Afternoon: Registration and MSC Seminar afternoon session
- Evening: Welcome drink
Thursday, November 6, 2025
- Morning: MSC Seminar – morning session
- Lunch: Optional lunch break
- Afternoon: MSC Seminar – afternoon session
- Evening: Social event and dinner
Friday, November 7, 2025
- Morning: MSC Seminar – morning session
- Farewell
Nanoindentation, scratch and tribology short courses, November 5, 2025
- On November 5, 2025, three parallel half-day short courses on nanoindentation, scratch testing, and tribology will be offered for students, engineers, and technicians interested in these surface mechanical characterization techniques. This is a valuable opportunity to learn about the practical applications of these methods and gain fundamental knowledge in the field. Each course will include a combination of theoretical presentations and hands-on sessions, conducted in English. The courses will be held at the same venue as the MSC Seminar in the morning, with lunch included.
Short course on nanoindentation
- The short course will cover the theoretical foundations, practical considerations, and application examples of nanoindentation for measuring the hardness and elastic properties of thin films and small volumes. A hands-on session will showcase best practices for conducting measurements on various materials.
Short course on scratch testing
- The short course will introduce the scratch testing method for evaluating the adhesion of both hard and soft coatings. Participants will learn about the method’s principles and how to analyze results, with a hands-on session demonstrating the technique on various samples.
Short course on tribology
- The short course on tribology will highlight the benefits of pin-on-disk friction and wear testing. It will include both a theoretical overview and a practical hands-on session.
Invited Speakers
Topic: Climbing the multiscale ladder of bone mechanics from the bench to the bedside
- Philippe Zysset (Professor at the University of Bern (Switzerland))
Philippe Zysset is a professor of biomechanics at the University of Bern, leading the musculoskeletal biomechanics group at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research. He earned his MSc in engineering physics and PhD in biomechanics from EPFL, and then occupied academic and research roles in Switzerland, the US, and Austria. His research focuses on the mechanical properties of biological tissues and patient-specific musculoskeletal simulations, with over 200 scientific publications. Additionally, he directs the Master's Program in Biomedical Engineering and serves on editorial boards and advisory panels for leading journals in biomechanics.
Topic: Mecho-chemical characterisation of skin: skin adaptation and prosthetic use
- Marc Masen (Professor at Imperial College London (United Kingdom))
Marc Masen received his MSc and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Twente, The Netherlands. Following his PhD, he worked at the R&D centre of Hydro Aluminium with a focus on investigating the surface quality of aluminium extrusions. In 2006 he returned to Twente as a lecturer, initiating research into biotribology. In 2013 he joined Imperial College. Marc's main areas of research are: Tribology of Human Tissue; Tribology of Elastomers and Polymers; Wear Prevention and Wear Mechanisms; Tribometer Development.
Topic: Deposition and characterization of MoN-based coatings for tribological applications
- Astrid Gies (Project Manager R&D Automotive at Oerlikon Surface Solutions AG, Balzers (Liechtenstein))
Dr. Astrid Gies has ~20 years of experience in surface coatings and tribology, and is currently working as an R&D Project Manager at Oerlikon Balzers, specializing in automotive applications. Her work in the last two decades has focused on developing and optimizing advanced coatings, including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and molybdenum nitride (MoN) coatings, which have been recognized with prestigious industry awards. She has also contributed to innovative technologies like smart coatings, which enable real-time monitoring of automotive components, reinforcing her role in advancing surface engineering solutions.
Topic: Several applications of nanoindentation in the study of materials: from local mechanical properties in metallic nanocomposites to small-scale plasticity mechanisms in MAX phases
- Christophe Tromas (Professor at the University of Poitiers (France))
Christophe Tromas has been working in the field of nanoindentation for almost 30 years. His research focuses on the study of small-scale plasticity mechanisms through nanomechanical testing and advanced microscopy techniques. He is also interested in the determination of local mechanical properties of nanocomposites and heterogeneous materials. He is a Professor at the University of Poitiers (France) and conducts his research at the Institute Pprime.
