From September 24 to 26, 2025, the experts of electroplating and surface technology met in Berlin for the ZVO Surface Technology Days. With 560 participants, 72 exhibitors and 95 lectures, technical lectures, the event (allgemein) was once again a central meeting point for experts from industry and research. Aalen University of Applied Sciences was also prominently represented. In addition to Prof. Dr. Timo Sörgel and his staff Mahmoud ElKady, Max Braungardt and Lena Meixner, eleven students from the degree programmes OMM, Surface Technology/New Materials and Materials for Sustainability, special field Surface Technology, took the opportunity to gain their first experience at a large specialist congress.
The opening evening of the ZVO Surface Technology Days 2025 in Berlin set a strong tone. Vanessa Zobel (MdB), a keynote speaker from the world of politics, gave a speech in which she showed how she wants to make Germany future-proof as a business location with pragmatism, speed and reliability. Dr. Carl Naughton then gave an inspiring talk; lecture on the "adaptation quotient" and the importance of situational awareness in a changing world.
Another highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Heinz-Leuze Prize to Prof. Dr. Timo Sörgel together with Michael Kaupp and Phillip Scherzl - both graduates of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing degree program - for their work on the electroforming of aluminum foils. At the reception that followed, the participants took the opportunity for an informal exchange, made new contacts and strengthened existing networks.
The special fields of the lectures, technical lectures over the next few days this year were digitalization and artificial intelligence in surface technology, chemical metal deposition and the topics of Sustainability and circularity. These are all aspects that will have a decisive impact on the industry in the coming years.
AG Sörgel presented its current research results in various specialist sessions, including new approaches to battery cathodes using composite electroforming (KGF) with an aluminum matrix, flexible wire batteries with a focus on separator coating and Cr(III)-electrolyte-based chromium/submicron boron carbide composite coatings.
Participation was also a benefit for the students. Lea Berghänel reports enthusiastically: "The start of the Surface Days was very successful and immediately created a good atmosphere. The exhibitor fair was exciting and offered many interesting insights. It was particularly great that the ZVO took such good care of us students, from free admission and reimbursement of travel costs to a dinner together with the DGO."
Prof. Sörgel and his group returned from the ZVO Surface Days with numerous new impressions and ideas for their research. They are already looking ahead to next year: the industry will meet in Karlsruhe in 2026.
