From March 23–26, 2025, Leipzig, hosted the 9th International Conference on Area Selective Deposition (ASD2025)—the world’s leading forum for the scientific community working on the selective deposition of thin films. This emerging technology is considered a key enabler for the semiconductor industry of the future. With 135 participants from 18 countries, the event impressively demonstrated the importance of this field for both research and industry.
The conference was co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Ralf Tonner-Zech, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry of Complex Systems at Leipzig University, and Prof. Anjana Devi, Director of the Institute of Materials Chemistry at the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW Dresden) and Professor of Materials Chemistry at TU Dresden.
Bridging Fundamental Research and Industrial Application
The scientific program offered a rich and diverse agenda. A tutorial session provided valuable insights for both newcomers and seasoned experts. This was followed by two intensive days featuring 31 technical presentations—including eight invited keynotes—that explored both academic research and industrial applications. The discussions also focused on key challenges such as the selective deposition of very similar neighboring semiconductor surfaces.
Industry Meets Academia: Shared Visions for the Future
The final day of the conference was dedicated to industry engagement. Six representatives from companies in Germany and abroad presented recent developments and posed open questions to the academic community. These topics were further explored in a panel discussion that brought together industry leaders and researchers. The discussion not only reflected critically on the current state of the art but also focused on joint opportunities for future research and development activities.
In addition to the intensive technical exchange, the conference offered unique networking opportunities—such as an evening event at Leipzig Zoo featuring an exclusive visit to the tropical Gondwanaland exhibit. For many attendees, this memorable experience was a highlight of the conference.
Contact:
Patricia Bäuchler
Communication
Mail: p.baeuchler[at]ifw-dresden.de
