SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

evaporation, sputtering, ion implantation, vacuum

baking, and low-pressure chemical decomposition

by pyrolysis. The list of devices and equipment that

use vacuum technology in their manufacture seems

endless. It includes coated lenses and plastics, high-

power vacuum circuit interrupters and triggered

vacuum gaps, gas discharge light sources and

solid-state displays.

Although the most spectacular applications of

vacuum are related to high technology, it must be

kept in mind that almost all branches of industry

are now using vacuum technology on a daily

basis. Many examples of application of vacuum

technology could be highlighted in such diverse

fields as food industry, glass industry, building

industry, cosmetics, health industry, etc. Just to

give an example, vacuum is used to increase the

evaporation rate of various substances without

destructive heating as in the case of dehydration

of frozen fruit juices, penicillin and blood plasma.

All the evidence indicates that science and industry

will continue to have a growing need for vacuum

science and technology tailored to their specific

requirements. Nature may abhor a vacuum but

society relies upon it. Since more than five decades,

the IUVSTA has shown that it is capable not only

of encouraging the generation of new knowledge

and applications in this field but also of helping to

spread this knowledge across all nations. This has

been made possible by the unique organisational

structure of the IUVSTA which offers the opportunity

for a representative from each of the member

societies, currently (2016) involving 35 nations, to

meet twice a year at the occasion of the Executive

Council meetings to exchange ideas and explore

new activities.

However communication is taking an increasing

important role and the perception of science is rapidly

changing. In his Inaugural Address, the 2016-2019

President, Lars Montelius (S), emphasized the fact

that young generations and decision-makers are

more interested in social innovation and societal

needs than in the description on advances in

science and technology. Therefore it will be a future

challenge for the IUVSTA to demonstrate how

vacuum-related sciences can foster sustainable

societal developments.

9 scientific divisions

•

Applied Surface

Science Division

• Biointerfaces Division

• Electronic Materials &

Processing Division

• Nanometer Structures

Division

• Plasma Science &

Technique Division

• Surface Engineering

Division

• Surface Science Division

•Thin Film Division

•Vacuum Science and

Technology Division

30 000

individual

and corporate

members affiliated through

their national societies

IUVSTA Prize for Science

IUVSTA Prize

for Technology

SUMMARY