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This page was translated automatically using artificial intelligence (DeepL). The German version is binding. More information about automatic translation
With a total of 540 ‘participants’ from the field of surface technology and electroplating, this year’s Surface Technology Days, organised by the Central Association for Surface Technology (ZVO), were held in Berlin from 13 to 15 September. The aim of the Surface Technology Days is to foster targeted networking between research and industry in the field of electroplating and surface technology and to support cross-sector communication. As part of the conference programme, which features up to five parallel sessions, young colleagues are always given the opportunity to report on their research projects and present their findings. Among the participants were two academic talents from Mittweida: Nurul Amanina Binti Omar and Scott Dombrowe from the Surface and Electroplating Technology research group led by Professor Frank Köster.
The Oberflächentage were opened not by the striking of a bell, but by a speech from special guest Regina Halmich, Germany’s first female world boxing champion. The title of her keynote address was ‘Don’t get on the ropes. What success in the ring and in business have in common’. In this talk, she drew parallels between her own career path and both newly founded start-ups and more established companies. However, the same parallels can also be applied to research. Indeed, the word ‘research’ could just as easily have been included in the title instead of ‘business’. The reason for this is that, as a pioneer of women’s boxing, she had to cope with severe setbacks. Particularly at the start of her boxing career – which began with a defeat that the media made a big deal of – she, at the tender age of 18, refused to let it faze her or deter her from her goal of becoming world champion. Ultimately, thanks to the support of those close to her, her discipline, her strong inner resolve and her determination not to let herself be undervalued, she was able to make her mark both in the ring and outside it in the male-dominated world of combat sports. These events can be applied in much the same way to research. It takes courage to explore something new that does not yet exist and may not conform to the mainstream. Furthermore, severe setbacks are part and parcel of everyday life in research. With a strong commitment to research, a firm resolve to stick to the research objective, a good research team and good research equipment, new ideas can be developed and any setbacks that arise can be mitigated.
The two ‘athletes’ from Mittweida were by no means ‘up in the air’; on the contrary: they presented the latest research findings from the working group’s projects on topics relevant to the industry. Nurul Amanina Binti Omar gave a presentation on chemically deposited, wear-optimised nickel-phosphorus-boron (Ni-P-B) dispersion coatings as a means of reducing material costs in the manufacture of, for example, industrial knives. In her presentation, she outlined findings from microhardness measurements, material analyses and residual stress investigations.
Scott Dombrowe reported on electroplated nickel-tungsten (Ni-W) alloy coatings produced from aqueous electrolytes as an alternative to hard chrome coatings. In his presentation, he outlined findings regarding the influence of hydrodynamic parameters such as convection, temperature and current density on the Ni-W alloy composition.
The discussion sessions were also characterised by a spirit of fair play, with both ‘up-and-coming researchers’ holding their own successfully. As in previous years’ ZVO Surface Days, this year’s event once again provided an excellent opportunity to maintain existing contacts and forge new ones with a view to potential project collaborations. In conclusion, the young researchers’ participation in the Surface Days proved to be an enriching experience. On that note: let’s move on to the next round!