Background, goals, scope

Interfaces form spontaneously in all heterogeneous systems. The importance of interfacial adhesion and interphasal properties is shown by the numerous attempts to modify them. Advanced composites cannot be manufactured with good performance without optimum adhesion and appropriate interphases. In the past the importance of interfaces and interphases brought to life two conferences on composites interfaces, ICCI and IPCM, which offered a forum for scientists in the field to meet and discuss their problems.

IIMM is now the merged meeting for the scientific community with interests in interfaces and interphases in heterogeneous materials such as composites and polymer blends. However, the interests of scientists and engineers has broadened to embrace advanced composites as well as other heterogeneous system such as nanocomposites from carbon nanotubes, nanofibres, and graphene as well nanoclays and other inorganic acicular and particulate modifiers. Also the interaction between microcapsules, used to introduce autonomic self-healing of matrices. Furthermore within the life-science interface, biomaterials and natural fiber reinforced composites are being introduced to meet medical and environmental concerns. The Scientific Committee welcomes suggestions from the community to ensure that IIMM meets the needs of interdisciplinary scientists and engineers. The conference will have plenary sessions of generic interest as well as more specialist workshops in 2 parallel sessions.

Scientific presentations and discussions are focused on the theory and practice of interfaces and interphases in the following areas:

• Synthetic and natural fibre/filler based composites
• Fibre reinforced polymer composites
• Metal and ceramic matrix composites
• Processing of interfaces and interphases in multicomponent materials
• Nanocomposites and other nanostructured functional materials
• Surface treatments for carbon nanotubes , nanofibres and graphene modifiers
• Interfaces in polymer blends and other multicomponent, multiphase Materials
• Interfaces in self healing coatings and composites
• Interfaces/interphases in biomedical materials and tissue engineering
• Theoretical modelling of interfaces and interphases
• New characterization techniques

Plueddemann Award