• Electroactuators: from understanding to micro-robotics and energy conversion

This session will deal with the conversion of the applied voltage to mechanical motion and the reverse processes of electrical energy harvesting from mechanical motion. The focus of the session will be on the search of new micro and nano structured electrodes and membrane materials for enhancement of the electroactuation effect. Applications in micro- and nano-robotics as well electrical energy generators will also be considered, particularly in view of maximizing their efficiency. In terms of systems to be considered at the session, we will focus on polymer-electrolyte composite membranes and nanostructured carbon electrodes, but the goal of the session will also be to reveal emerging systems.

• Electrotunable wetting, and micro-and nanofluidics

This session will deal with electrical control of fluids on micro and nano scales, for instance in opto-fluidics, electroactive desalination, and liquid flow capacitors. We will also cover inverse electrowetting, in which mechanical pressure and deformation of liquid droplets generate voltage.

• Nanotribology and voltage-controlled friction

In this session, we will discuss the possibilities of controlling friction in electroactive systems, such as interfaces with thin lubricant layers consisting of electrolyte solutions or ionic liquids.

• Electrovariable nanoplasmonic

This session will deal with the tuning of surface plasmons in nanostructures, which can be used to electrically control optical properties. These may be used for future creation of switchable mirror-windows, or SERS based detection of hazardous molecules for security and environmental control. The main focus of the session will be on systems based on self-assembled nananoparticle arrays at liquid-liquid or liquid-solid electrochemical interfaces.