Micro-Nano Plastics in Water: Characterization, Cure and Prevention

July 6-10, 2025
Davos, Switzerland

Abstract Submission

Conference Chair and Co-Chairs

Co-Chairs

Organizing Committee

About This Conference

Plastics are ubiquitous in all aspects of modern life, including food packaging, health care and household products. There has been a massive increase in plastics production over the past several decades and there has been serious attention paid to managing plastic wastes, particularly focused on recycling/reuse. However, as of the present time it has not been feasible, either technically or economically, to achieve a fully circular system. Those plastic materials that are not processed for reuse, known as end-of-life plastics, end up in landfills or in other waste processing systems (e.g., incineration) or advanced recycling (e.g., pyrolysis) or directly disposed of in the environment. Here, micro- and nano-plastic (MNP) may be generated through incomplete decomposition of the materials. These MNP enter the air, soil and water environments where plants, animals, and humans may be exposed. The widespread occurrence of plastic globally, including in the ocean environment, has caused concern in the scientific community. Recently, there have been reports of MNP being found in drinking water supplies of major cities, raising additional concerns over potential public health risks. 

As an example of focus on MNP, the US National Science Foundation (NSF) has identified the need for fundamental research in the areas of characterizing and separating plastics and decomposing them into environmentally benign or useful molecules.  Ideally, any transformations would be accomplished prior to plastic reaching the environment, e.g., possible technological advances in the design of water and wastewater treatment systems may offer some viable solutions.  Notably, the plastics industry is devoting considerable resources to address this issue. 

This ECI conference will present timely research and technological advancements in the area of MNP in the environment while considering impacts on the ecosystem and human health. University researchers, representatives from the plastics industry, and representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions will present critical MNP information as will policy makers, funding agencies and financial institutes.  Among the focus areas that will be addressed by keynote speakers and presenters are the following:

• History and evolution of the MNP problem
• Governmental and legislative initiatives
• Characterization of environmental and human health related MNP
• Analytical methods of MNP detection
• Scientific and technological advancements to cure the problem, e.g. source reduction, water/wastewater treatment, recycle
• Prevention, e.g., packaging changes, material substitutions

The full scope of the MNP issue will be addressed, that being; characterization of MNP, cures to mitigate environmental and human health impacts, and preventive strategies going forward.  Achieving a circular economy for plastics is being analyzed and debated on the global stage, but it is evident that MNP are widespread in the environment and mitigation of potential risks is a public health priority.

Organizing Committee

Damia Barcelo, PhD, University of Almeria, Spain
Kati Bell, PhD, Brown & Caldwell, VP, Hazen and Sawyer
Nicholas Clesceri, PhD, Chair of ECi Conferences Committee, RPI (Emeritus), USA
Albert Gray, PhD, Chair, USA
David Hunkeler, PhD, AQUA+TECH, Switzerland
Natalia Ivleva, PhD, Technical University of Munich, Germany 
Bernd Nowack, PhD, EMPA, Switzerland
Kilala Tilaar, PhD, CEO, Martha Tilaar Group, Indonesia
Linda Wang, PhD, Purdue University, USA
Mark Wiesner, PhD, Duke University, USA

Global Water Concerns Workshop (optional)

Sunday July 6, 2025

Preliminary Program

Conference Fees and Registration

Details coming soon

Hotel Reservations

There is a wide variety of hotels in Davos to choose from. We are working with Davos
Congress regarding hotel bookings.

Use the direct link and follow booking instructions. For any inquiries, please contact
Davos Congress directly via email or phone. Note that the conference will be held at
the Davos Conference Center (Promenade 94) which is easily accessed by both public
transport and car (with an adjacent car park – paid parking available). The information
on the link gives the approximate distance of each hotel from the conference center.
Davos is easily walkable.

Davos Congress ECI Booking Link

Book responsibly and book only through the Davos Congress. Do not make
reservations through unauthorized companies that may phone or email attendees
claiming either to represent ECI or Davos Congress and offering ”good deals.” They
are commonly referred to as “housing pirates.”. Neither ECI nor Davos Congress will
contact you directly. These third-party providers are not affiliated with the conference
and booking through them puts you at risk of higher fees, strict cancellation policies and
lost reservations. (If you are contacted by one of these third-party providers, please
inform ECI (info@engconfintl.org).

Additionally, there is a Youth Hostel in Davos Dorf (Davos Youthpalace,
Horlaubenstrasse 27). Please visit their website for more information.

Visa Requirements

Visa Requirements for Switzerland

Please check to see if you will need a visa to come to Switzerland. Switzerland is a Schengen member state, so if you’re already holding a valid Schengen visa, you may be able to enter Switzerland without requiring a separate Swiss visa. 

To obtain a Swiss visa, you’ll need a valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond your planned stay, a completed application form, and two recent passport photos. You may also need to provide proof of financial means to support yourself, accommodation details, and a return ticket, depending on the purpose of your visit. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Required Documents:

• Passport: A valid passport issued within the last 10 years, with a validity of at least 3 months after your planned exit from the Schengen area. 
• Swiss Schengen Visa Application Form: Duly completed and signed. 
• Passport Photos: Two recent passport-size photographs. 
• Travel Itinerary: A detailed itinerary of your planned trip, including flight reservations and accommodation bookings. 
• Proof of Funds: Evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover your stay, typically requiring a daily allowance of at least 100 CHF per day. 
• Travel Insurance: Proof of full medical insurance covering your entire stay. 
• Other Documents (depending on your situation):
  • Invitation Letter/Declaration of Sponsorship: If you are visiting a friend or family member. 
  • Proof of Employment/Student Status: Depending on the purpose of your visit. 
  • Other relevant documentation: as requested by the Swiss embassy or consulate. 

Application Process:

1. Identify the appropriate Swiss embassy or consulate: You’ll need to apply at the Swiss representation in your country of origin. 
2. Gather all required documents: Ensure you have all necessary documents and information readily available. 
3. Complete the application form: Fill out the application form accurately and completely. 
4. Submit your application: Submit your application and supporting documents to the Swiss embassy or consulate. 
5. Pay the visa fee: Schengen visas for adults cost €80, and €40 for children aged 6-12. 
6. Wait for the visa decision: The processing time can vary, so it’s recommended to apply at least two months before your travel date. 

Important Notes:

• ETIAS:

Starting in 2025, U.S. citizens (and others) may need to obtain an ETIAS authorization for entry into the Schengen area, including Switzerland. (As of March 2025, this has not yet gone into effect.)

• Extension of Visa:

Visa extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances. 

• Vaccination Requirements:

Switzerland has no vaccination requirements for tourism, but COVID-19 measures may apply. 

Video

World Water Day
March 22, 2024

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts are invited which address micro- and nano-plastics (MNP) in water.  The summary should highlight work which characterizes the source, fate and sink of microplastics in the environment, possible cures and preventions.  It is assumed that all those attending, be they from academia, government, industry, NGOs, assessment organizations or funding, are suitably versed with the problem of microplastics that this need not be a topic of a presentation.

Abstracts must be submitted electronically using the template provided at THIS LINK.

Oral abstract submission deadline:                   January 31, 2025*

Poster abstract submission deadline:               April 30, 2025

* Please email Nick Clesceri <clescn@gmail.com> to discuss submission of an oral abstract past this deadline.

Abstracts (one page maximum) that include specific results/observations and/or conclusions to allow a scientific assessment of the proposed oral presentation are invited.  Please prepare your abstract according to this template: docx or doc.

Abstracts of all presentations will be made available to conference participants prior to the start of the conference.

Oral Presentations and Posters:

Note: Only a limited number of oral presentation slots are available and thus all submissions for oral sessions will be considered for both oral and poster presentation.

Awards

Awards will be presented to the top student posters as well as the top non-student poster.

Poster Presenter Guidelines

Poster dimensions: 1.0 meter wide x 1.5 meter high (portrait style)

Poster Guidelines [DOC]

Venue Information

The internationally acclaimed destination of Davos is much more than a global meeting leader.  It’s held in high regard for its cultural facilities, rejuvenating climate, research institutions, dining options and as a leisure center that offers both summer and winter recreation for those wishing to extend their stay.  The conference technical sessions will be held at the Davos Congress Centre which is conveniently situated in the middle of Davos between Davos Dorf and Davos Platz.  This cutting-edge congress center is known for its modern design and state-of-the-art technological amenities.  The venue, comprising three independently operated buildings, is Switzerland’s first climate-neutral congress center.

Congress Center in the Swiss mountains | Davos Klosters

The 110-square-mile alpine metropolis, surrounded by a picturesque natural environment, is also known as the highest town in Europe, as it sits 5,118 feet above sea level. Comprising six sections, including Davos Dorf, Davos Platz, Frauenkirch, Glaris, Monstein, and Wiesen, Davos conveniently sits  99 miles from Zurich. Visitors fly into Zurich Airport, which holds the title of Switzerland’s largest and busiest airport for international flight connections. At the airport, visitors can hop aboard Swiss national rail service to Landquart, and then continue on the Rhaetian railway to Davos, a trip that takes less than 2.5 hours from the airport. Once in Davos, conference participants can explore the town aboard both public rail and bus service. Davos offers all guests who stay at least one night the Davos Klosters Inclusive Card, which grants free transport on cable cars, Rhaetian rail, and local buses, as well as free use of the Davos Sports Centre and discounts on many attractions and activities.  The Davos Sports Centre is the official training center for the Swiss Olympic team. Davos offers access to more than 400 miles of marked footpaths, themed paths and panoramic routes for walking, as well as 16 public tennis courts, a petting zoo, mini golf and a summer toboggan run.

The city of Davos offers a variety of unique venues that demonstrate the spirit of Davos.  These include the Kirchner Museum, a crystalline building of glass, concrete, wood, and steel. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of the works of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, one of the pioneers of German Expressionism, as well as showcases other works of classical modernism and contemporary art.

Private tours are available at the Museum of Medicine, which explores Davos’ health resort origins through a variety of equipment, X-rays, and files that document the activities of local physicians and researchers. The Winter Sports Museum examines Davos’ history as the birthplace of modern winter sports, thanks to its collection of equipment and documents relating to the beginning of winter sports and including the sports of today.

Conference participants can explore the five ropes courses at Adventure Park Faerich, which are designed for adventurers of varying levels. Aside from its ropes courses and children’s ropes course, the park features a bike park and bike rentals.

Also available are tours of the 12-acre Alpinum Schatzalp, a botanical garden, home to 10,000 plants and 2,000 different species from mountain ranges around the world, including New Zealand, China, Nepal, and Tibet. Situated at more than 6,200 feet above sea level, the 12-acre garden was the first botanical garden on the Schatzalp, created in 1907 as a sanitarium for tuberculosis sufferers. Today, the garden features protected and endangered species, as well as a medicinal plant garden and modern naturopathy collection. 

A popular wellness and swimming area, Eau-La-La combines relaxation and recreation with its steam baths, solariums, cold-water area, open air Jacuzzi and aqua adventure pools, among many other features. Eau-La-La’s ground level features a 25-meter swimming pool, diving facility, relaxation pool, 80-meter slide and more, while the upper two floors house a wellness center with a Finnish sauna, hydrotherapy pool, foot pools, massage area and more.

Davos developed as a health resort for tuberculosis patients and was transformed into a winter sports resort in the 1930s.  The town has close relationships with both the writer, Thomas Mann, who came to Davos in 1911 and was inspired to write The Magic Mountain.  As mentioned above, the German Expressionist painter, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, settled in Davos in 1917 and created an extraordinary body of work.

Scam Alert

Participants at this conference will choose and pay for their hotel room directly with DAVOS TOURISM or directly with a hotel in Davos. (The hotel is not included in the conference fee.) If anyone should contact you to make a reservation through a third party, please notify ECI.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Coming soon

General Information About ECI

Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines. Over 2000 interdisciplinary conferences have been held.

The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.

All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.
Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.