CM2S2 2026 on May 12-14, 2026 at PNNL, Richland, WA
CM2S2 2026 on May 12-14, 2026 at PNNL, Richland, WA
37th Annual Symposium of the Pacific Northwest Chapter (PNWAVS) of AVS, The Science and Technology Society will be held in iscovery Hall, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington on September 9-11, 2026 .
The PNWAVS Annual Symposium is a forum to discuss the latest advancements in surface, interface, and vacuum research within the Pacific Northwest region. The 2026 event commemorates the 64thanniversary of the PNWAVS chapter, the oldest in AVS. Topics will encompass developments in the fields of surface science, state-of-the-art characterization methods, and applications of surface science to a variety of material systems, including semiconductors, oxides, critical minerals, ceramics, metals, polymer composites, and biomaterials. This year, one session will focus on emerging techniques to integrate AI/ML-enabled workflows for surface and bulk characterization. The 2026 symposium will be held at Discovery Hall on the PNNL campus. PNNL is one of the 17 national laboratories of the Department of Energy and is renowned for breakthrough research in energy resilience, national security, chemistry, and Earth sciences. PNNL also stewards the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) user facilities that attract multiple users from across the globe to conduct cutting edge research at PNNL campus.
The theme of this meeting will highlight fundamental and applied collaborative research to understand the interactions occurring at surfaces and interfaces. The symposium aims to foster interaction among participants from industry, government, and academic laboratories. The program will feature both invited and contributed papers presented through oral and poster sessions and student participation is strongly encouraged.
Sessions
Contributions are encouraged from all areas of surface and vacuum science, with highlighted topics including:
· Electronic, Optoelectronic and Quantum Materials
· Extraction and Separation of Critical Minerals and Materials
· Catalytic Materials and Mechanisms
· Energy Storage and Conversion
· Advanced Methods in Characterization of Evolving Surfaces and Interfaces
· Integration of AI and Machine Learning Workflows in Synthesis and Advanced Characterization
Work
A full day Workshop on Autonomous Scientific Workflows will be held on Sep 9, 2026 covering topics related to autonomous synthesis, optimization and characterization of materials. The workshop will include dedicated laboratory tours. The workshop will provide specialized insights into realizing the potential of AI/ML enabled workflows in materials discovery and characterization with sessions focused on introducing the topic, demonstrating use cases and hands-on training.
General Registration: $200
Post Doctoral Fellows: $150
Student Registration: $50
High School Students: Free
The registration fee encompasses the symposium, final program, lunch on Sept. 10, refreshments, poster and vendor receptions, and the conference banquet on Thursday (Sept.10) evening.
The registration fee is waived for high school students.
Please register using the link given below.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact Shuttha Shutthanandan by email (shuttha@pnnl.gov ) or phone at 509-375-6530.
There will be a student Poster competition for undergraduate and graduate students.
Following Awards will be awarded:
Graduate: 1st place $500 + $500 expenses to AVS National Conference
2nd place $350
3rd place $200
Honorable mention $ 100
Undergraduate: 1st place $350
2nd place $200
3rd place $100
Honorable mention $100
High school: All entries $100
Prepare one-page abstracts:
Following should be included in the abstract:
Please do not include any figures or tables in your abstracts.
Submit abstracts by August 15, 2025, using the Link below:
Your generous sponsorship is needed for student awards and annual symposium costs