On November 4 and 5, 2026, nearly 90 researchers, industry professionals, and students gathered in Limoges for the RAVIE conference —Dry-Applied Coatings, Science, and Innovation.
For this special edition, the A3TS partnered with the European Ceramics Cluster, with ENSIL-ENSCI as a partner. Two days of conferences, site visits, and discussions highlighted low-TRL dry coating processes —PVD, HiPIMS, thermal spraying, cold spray, and aerosol deposition—as well as the growing role of modeling and artificial intelligence. A perfect balance was achieved between topics related to PVD and those related to thermal spraying.
RAVIE 2026 by the Numbers
90 participants, including 21 speakers
More than 50 companies, laboratories, and technical centers represented, from 8 countries (France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States)
20 presentations, including one international keynote address
5 sites open to visitors
11 exhibitors and 2 sponsors
Aeronautics, energy, healthcare, watchmaking, luxury goods, and tools: the diversity of the sectors represented enriched the discussions among major corporations such as Safran, Oerlikon, Collins Aerospace, Air Liquide, and Rolex, as well as innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and academic research labs.
Day 1 – Wednesday, November 4: Modeling, AI, and tours
Following the organizers’ opening remarks, the day began with a keynote address by Prof. Sanjay Sampath (Stony Brook University, United States), an internationally renowned expert in thermal evaporation. The morning session then focused on simulation, instrumentation, and machine learning as applied to deposition processes.
9:15 a.m. – Keynote: Design and Development of Multilayer Coatings
Sanjay Sampath, Stony Brook University9:45 a.m. – Cold spraying of AA7075: In Search of the “Magic Powder”
Francesco Delloro, Mines Paris – PSL10:05 – Modeling the Impact and Solidification of Submicron Droplets in Plasma Spraying of Suspensions
Cédric Le Bot, I2M10:25 a.m. – Instrumentation and AI Optimization: Toward a Digital Twin of Cold Spray
Tanguy Lacondemine, CEA Tech Metz11:15 a.m. – Supervised learning database for optimizing complex nitride coatings
Ludovic Mereaux, IRCER11:35 a.m. – Optimization of the Microstructure of Thin Vanadium Nitride Layers Using R-HiPIMS: A Machine Learning Approach
Julien Neyrat, Safran Tech11:55 – Acoustic characterization of the impact of a micrometer-sized ceramic particle
Loïse Cao, IRCER – University of Limoges
In the afternoon, participants toured five sites in the region: Bodycote, CITRA, CTTC, Oerlikon, and SAFIR. These tours of workshops and laboratories highlighted the density of the Limousin region’s ceramics and surface treatment ecosystem. The day concluded with a networking event.
Day 2 – Thursday, November 5: Processes, Materials, and Characterization
The second day was devoted to the deposition processes themselves. PVD and magnetron sputtering of thin films in the morning, thermal spraying and characterization in the afternoon. The applications discussed ranged from aerospace to hydrogen, including the biomedical field.
9:00 a.m. – PVD Target Manufacturing and New Coatings for the Aerospace Industry
Peter Polcik, Plansee9:20 a.m. – Multimetallic Alloy Coatings by Magnetron Sputtering: Laser Surface Texturing and Bactericidal Activity
Anne-Lise Thomann, GREMI – CNRS9:40 a.m. – High-entropy alloys produced by magnetron sputtering
Frédéric Sanchette, LASMIS – Troyes University of Technology10:00 a.m. – Transparent Alumina Coatings via Hybrid Aerosol Deposition
Ximena Ospina, IRCER / CTTC10:50 – Arc-PVD anti-erosion coating for CMO and titanium aircraft blades
Thibault Maerten, Oerlikon Balzers11:10 a.m. – AlMgB14-based thin films as nonstick coatings
Astrid Gies, Oerlikon Balzers11:30 a.m. – Solid lubricants developed using PVD
Sandrine Henry, HEF Group11:50 a.m. – High-Performance, Affordable PVD Coatings for Fuel Cells and PEM Electrolyzers
Ludovic Brissaud, Ionbond2:00 p.m. – New Materials: CMAS-Resistant Oxides and Yttrium-Free Undercoats
Olivier Messe, Oerlikon Metco2:20 p.m. – Plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–TiO₂ coatings for biomedical applications
Zhoukun Shi, UTBM2:40 p.m. – Thin tungsten coatings (50 µm) on 316L via plasma spraying
Geoffrey Darut, UTBM / CEA3:20 p.m. – Methods for Characterizing Thin Films Deposited by Dry Processes
Fabien Husson, CITRA3:40 p.m. – Evaluating Deformation Within a Plasma-Sprayed Coating
Aurélie Quet, CEA
Thank you to our partners
Throughout the two-day event, the exhibition area gave participants the opportunity to meet with suppliers of equipment, materials, and services.
Sponsors: Bodycote and CITRA
Exhibitors: Aero Moulding, BINC Industries, CITRA, CTTC, Fugama Smart Machines, Lamplan, Lynxter, Medicoat AG, Phoenix Tribology, Pro-Vide, Surface & Coatings Expert
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to ENSIL-ENSCI for hosting us, to the venues that opened their doors to us, to all the speakers, as well as to the scientific committee and the teams at A3TS and the European Ceramics Cluster.
See you in 2027 in Toulouse
RAVIE returns to Toulouse on October 12 and 13, 2027, at the Mercure Centre Compans Hotel. This edition, organized by A3TS, will focus on the industrial applications of mature and emerging processes, in both manufacturing and repair. The program includes about twenty presentations, an exhibition, and networking opportunities.
The call for papers and registration will open in the coming months. Be the first to know
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