Vacuum Expo provides a sizeable and comprehensive exhibition that involves industry leaders presenting new ideas. Delivered with a passion for vacuum technology, Vacuum Expo's remit is to provide a meeting place for users of vacuum technologies and to be a venue for education and training in the use and measurement of vacuum in general industry, in science and manufacturing. It embraces industry needs and challenges for vacuum coating in emerging sectors such as in photovoltaics and LED manufacture and in optical thin films.

Showcasing the very latest vacuum and related technologies and innovations for applications in science and industry, this event will provide an unparalleled business environment for the effective and meaningful transfer of information and knowledge within the field of vacuum technologies.

Apart from an exhibition featuring the leading UK vacuum technology suppliers showing 100s of products, services, solutions and applications, there will be a comprehensive programme of meetings and presentations including those of the second Vacuum Symposium UK, VS-2. This follows on from the successful VS-1 meeting held at Daresbury in February 2010 and will run for two days under the stewardship of the RGA User Group and sponsored by the IOP Vacuum Group.

Vacuum Expo's technical programme also includes a one day meeting entitled 'Nanostructured Metal Oxide Thin Films and Integrated Devices', which is supported by NanoKTN, the MaterialsKTN, the IOP's Vacuum, Optical, Thin Films and Surfaces Groups. This will be held on 19th October.

These high value forums provide interaction between engineers and scientists with practical vacuum experience and a real opportunity for professional development. Throughout both days, there will be ample opportunity to question the speakers, both formally and informally. It will be an excellent networking opportunity for those working with vacuum day to day.

The meeting dates and venue have been chosen to coincide with Photon ex 2011 (Light & Imaging Technology) with ‘cross over' with material science, nanophotonics and photonics based instrumentation.

Potential visitors and contributors to the scientific programme are encouraged to visit the Vacuum Expo website (www.vacuum-expo.com) and register their interest today to receive regular electronic newsletters detailing the up to date additions to the agenda. With a total of over 100 exhibiting companies expected in Coventry, the 2011 events are already on the way to success.