The 44th International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings & Thin Films (ICMCTF) was held at San Diego US on 23-28 April 2017. Nearly 700 researchers and scholars from about 30 countries or regions attended this conference, such as the United States, German, Sweden, Japan, China, etc.

Group Head Prof. Aiying Wang, Dr. Peng Guo, doctor students Mr. Zhenyu Wang and Mrs. Lili Sun participated in this conference. Dr. Wang, Dr. Guo and Mrs. Wang gave oral presentations titled "Stress Evolution of Diamond-like Carbon Films via Controlled Metal Doping", "Structural Evolution and Temperature-sensitivity of W-containing Diamond-like Carbon Films Deposited by a Hybrid Linear Ion Beam", and "Manipulation and Oxidation Properties of Ti2AlN MAX Phase Coatings", respectively. Mrs. Sun gave a poster presentation titled "Synergistic Effect of Cu/Cr Co-doping on the Wettability and Mechanical Properties of Diamond-life Carbon Films". Works from the group on stress reduction in diamond-like carbon (DLC) films,  electrical and wettable properties of DLC films and research progress on MAX phase coatings were introduced to the attendants, and attracted a lot of interests. Additionally, this conference provided an opportunity for group members to communicate face-to-face with Prof. Magnus, Prof. Esteban of Linkoping University, and Prof. Hanshan Huang, Prof. Xiaoying Li of University of Birmingham. 

ICMTCF is a international top conference focused on fundamental and application researches in the field of film deposition, characterization and surface modification. The 44th conference chairman is Prof. Christian Mitterer of MontanuniversitatLeoben.