Scientific Tracks
Tribocorrosion
Passivation layer mechanics, synergism modeling, erosion-corrosion in flow systems, fretting corrosion, and standardized testing protocols for seawater environments.
Marine bearings and seals
Stern tube and rudder bearings, water-lubricated polymer bearings, mechanical face seals, and sediment/abrasive wear tolerance.
Materials, Surfaces and Coatings
Corrosion-resistant alloys, surface texturing for hydrodynamic enhancement, hard coatings (DLC, ceramic), bio-fouling resistant surfaces, and composite materials for lightweight structures.
Lubricants and Lubrication
Environmentally acceptable lubricants, water-based lubrication, high-pressure rheology, biodegradable additives, grease lubrication in low temperatures, lubricant-seawater interaction, Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL).
Condition Monitoring
Online oil analysis (wear debris, water content), vibration analysis, acoustic emission, digital twins for tribological systems, and predictive maintenance algorithms for offshore wind and tidal turbines.
Speakers
Anna Igual Munoz: As a Senior Scientist in the Tribology and Interface Chemistry Group at EPFL, Dr. Igual Muñoz specializes in tribocorrosion, with extensive expertise in the electrochemical characterization, surface analysis, and degradation mechanisms of passivating metals in corrosive environments.
Florian König: Assistant Professor at Ghent University, where his research focuses on the design and sustainability of high‑performance machinery. Specific areas of interest include the dynamic modelling of drivetrains and rotating components, with an emphasis on understanding the interactions between mechanical loads, structural behaviour, and tribological phenomena. Furthermore, his work includes the development of advanced condition‑monitoring sensors and their integration into predictive models for early fault detection and lifetime estimation. By combining experimental techniques with multiphysics modelling and data‑driven analytics, he aims to improve the reliability, efficiency, and environmental impact of next‑generation mechanical systems.
Judith Ooms: After working as a business developer at Ghent University (UGent) on energy and renewable-energy matters - helping translate expertise on the energy transition into practical applications - Judith serves as an alderwoman (schepen) for Ostend, focusing on urban development, mobility, climate-nature & energy, and citizen participation, with a strong emphasis on participatory policymaking and a socially just, sustainable future for the city.
Wojciech Litwin: As the Director of the Institute of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology, Prof. Litwin specializes in marine tribology, with extensive expertise in the design, experimental analysis, and failure mechanisms of water-lubricated stern tube bearings and environmentally acceptable lubricants.
Norbert Bader: He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente, where his research focuses on lubricated contacts, machine elements, degradation mechanisms, and lifetime prediction. Specific areas of interest include multiphysical phenomena, such as the electrical behavior of EHL contacts, frictional losses, and the complex interaction between lubrication and degradation. Furthermore, his work includes the development of condition monitoring sensors and their integration into predictive models.
Organization
This edition is organized by COST, in collaboration with the Bond voor Materialenkennis.
Awards
Two awards will be presented at the closing ceremony to recognize scientific excellence and effective communication:
Scientific committee award: Selected by the committee for the most outstanding contribution based on novelty and quality.
Best poster award (audience choice): Determined by attendee vote for the most impactful visual presentation.
Organizing Committee
- Patrick De Baets (Chair)
- Ádám Kalácska
- Florian Koenig
- Dieter Fauconnier
- Ieben Smessaert
- Jean Carlos Poletto
- Koen Van Minnebruggen
- Karen Hemelsoet
- Manjunath Manjunath
- Peyman Havaej
- Robbe Vergieu
Scientific Committee
- Amilcar Ramalho - University of Coimbra
- Ben Xu - University of Northumbria at Newcastle
- Christian von der Ohe - GCE NODE
- Dieter Fauconnier - Ghent University
- Dirk Jan Schipper - University of Twente
- Farid Al-Bender - KU Leuven
- Florian König - Ghent University
- Ian Sherrington - University of Central Lancashire
- Irina Hussainova - Tallinn University of Technology
- Julien van Kuilenburg - ASML
- Karen Hemelsoet - Ghent University
- Kati Valtonen - Tampere University
- Mark van Drogen - DAF Trucks
- Matthew Allmark - Cardiff University
- Matthijn de Rooij - University of Twente
- Nazanin Emami - Luleå University of Technology
- Nuria Espallargas - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Patrick De Baets - Ghent University
- Piet Lugt - SKF
- Ron van Ostayen - TU Delft
- Sergei Glavatskih - KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Suzana Jakovljević - University of Zagreb
- Wojciech Litwin - Gdansk University of Technology