S.1. Functional coatings: Ferroelectric coatings, Piezoelectric coatings, Magnetic coatings, Magneto electric coatings, Ferromagnetic coatings, Dielectric coatings, Corrosion resistant coatings, Wear resistant coatings, Solid Lubricant Coatings.

S.2. Coatings and Thin Films for industrial applications: Relations between synthesis conditions, microstructure and functional properties, Coatings with advanced properties, New coating concepts and designs, Design and manufacturing of protective and decorative coatings, New frontiers in coatings for bio-based and energy applications. 

S.3. Coatings and Thin Film for strategic applications: Surface engineering for missile applications, Surface engineering for aero engines, Surface engineering for naval systems, Surface engineering for satellite and launch vehicles, Surface engineering for nuclear power plants. 

S.4. Coatings for power sectors: Coatings and Thin Film for thermal power plants, hydropower plants, wind power plants, and solar energy systems.

S.5. Advanced methods of materials deposition and surface functionalization treatments: Plasma deposition and related technologies, Theoretical aspects of surface processing, New coating technologies, Plasma nitriding, Cold plasma processing of the materials, Pulsed plasmas, HiPIMS and industrial coating units, Fabrication of nanoparticles and 3D nanostructures, Non-plasma deposition of coatings and thin films, Novel fabrication and surface functionalization routes, Chemical methods for surface modification, Materials nano-modification and lithography.

S.6. In-situ and in-operando characterization techniques: Emerging technologies for surface characterization, Resolution enhancement of surface techniques, In-situ characterization of coatings during deposition, High-resolution characterization techniques of thin films, Scaling up concepts: from lab to market, Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.