Future Metrology Hub hosts international ‘Met & Props 2022’ conference

The '23^rd International Conference on Metrology and the Properties of Surfaces' - also known as ‘Met & Props 2022’ was organised by the University’s Future Metrology Hub in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and was the first 'Met & Props' conference to take place face-to-face since 2019 with over sixty delegates and eight exhibiting companies 

AN INTERNATIONAL metrology conference allowed academics, industrialist and engineers from all over the world to meet face-to-face and exchange their ideas, discuss results and showcase their latest research in-person for the first time since 2019, before the global pandemic. 

The ‘23^rd International Conference on Metrology and the Properties of Surfaces’ - also known as ‘Met & Props 2022’ was organised by the University of Huddersfield’s Future Metrology Hub in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and held at Glasgow’s Technology and Innovation Centre. 

This was the first ‘Met & Props’ conference to take place face-to-face since 2019 with over 60 delegates and 8 exhibiting companies. The organisers were particularly pleased to see a strong international attendance, with many of the delegates coming from Europe and the USA. 

Due to ongoing Covid travel restrictions, delegates from China were unable to attend so, in a conference first, a number of live sessions were arranged for them to attend and present digitally, with the whole conference being recorded for delegates not able to attend in person. 

The conference focussed on the progress in surface metrology, surface characterisation, instrumentation and functional properties of surfaces and provided an international forum for academics, industrialists and engineers from wide ranging disciplines to meet and exchange their ideas, results and showcase their latest research. 

The scientific exhibition featured stands from specialist companies demonstrating the latest software, optics and imaging equipment.

Thought-provoking keynote speeches were delivered by the University’s Professor Dame Jane Jiang, Director of the Future Metrology Hub; Professor Henara Costa, from the Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil and Associate Professor Danielle Macdonald, from the University of Tulsa, USA.  

The 38 presentations and the 20 posters encompassed the latest research on instrumentation, applications, characterisation, data and maths. The prize for the best presentation was awarded to Dr Jesse Redford, from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, USA.  The best poster prize went to Dr Dawei Tang from the University of Huddersfield. 

The conference received excellent feedback from the delegates with respondents appreciating the breadth of topics and speakers, the networking and knowledge exchange opportunities and the smooth organisation of the event.  

Fortunately, for the delegates, it wasn’t all work. In order to give the attendees a chance to rest and enjoy their surroundings, the organising committee put on an impressive array of social events including a drinks reception and civic welcome from a representative of the Lord Provost of Glasgow in the magnificent, marble-interior of Glasgow City Chambers. 

The conference dinner was held in the equally impressive surroundings of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and included a tour of the building and a look at some of the College’s historical artefacts.