June 22 – 27, 2025
Irsee, Germany
Thermal and Environmental Barrier Coatings VII Online Program
About This Conference
This conference will be the seventh in a series of conferences sponsored by ECI at Irsee, Germany on Thermal Barrier and Environmental Barrier Coatings. Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) Systems continue to be key materials technology that offer great benefit to the operation of gas turbines for aviation, marine and land-based power generation, and for aircraft engines, gas turbine shipboard engines, land based industrial gas turbine engines, and, recently, for diesel reciprocating engines. For protecting silicon- based ceramic matrix composites for similar applications, Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) have become an area of increased materials research studies. It is noteworthy that research in TBCs and EBCs has accelerated greatly in the past twenty years and that this work has resulted in the commercial and military use of new bond coats, low conductivity coatings, coatings that resist degradation induced by environmental deposits ingested into the engine, and the introduction of EBCs into service. Current research includes development of coatings capable of operating at higher temperatures, new
and cost-effective manufacturing routes especially in the area of thermal spray, and recently TBCs that will resist reaction with deposits such as CMAS or volcanic ash. Additional areas for EBC of research include new silicide-based materials and multi-element refractory alloys where the coatings are key for successful introduction of the materials into application. TBC and EBC systems are now key elements in the design of new and advanced engines and are enabling many new designs with improved efficiencies and higher thrusts. Extensive research and development of TBCs and EBCs is being carried out in every major industrialized country by industry, academia, and national institutions and laboratories.
ECI sponsored very successful conferences at Kloster Irsee, Germany during August 17-22, 2003, August 12-17 2007, August 7-12 2011, June 22-27, 2014, June 24-29, 2018, and June 19 – 24, 2022. Over 500 researchers and practitioners in total have attended these conferences. Several technologies that were in the developmental phase and reported on at previous conferences are now being deployed and can be discussed.
Thermal barrier and environmental barrier coatings are complex, multi-layered, and multi-material systems with many variants related to composition, processing and microstructure. Further understanding of the science and behavior of these materials that will result in further advancement of the technology. Progress made within high resolution and scale bridging characterization tools can play a major role. The field has attracted a diverse group of scientists and engineers especially in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan and China and combines ceramics, metals, metal-ceramic interfaces, processing, mechanisms of TBC and EBC performance and degradation including environmental attack and oxidation, thermal transport, diffusion and applications in a variety of aggressive environments.
Previous Conference Information
Conference Outline
The conference will address the multi-disciplinary nature of thermal barrier and environmental barrier coatings and will attempt to bring together those who have expertise in specific aspects of the materials involved, processing with conventional and innovative methods, mechanics and chemistry of degradation, newer materials as alternatives to yttria stabilized zirconia, high-temperature oxidation and corrosion including CMAS attack, thermal and radiative heat transport, diffusion, high temperature creep and sintering phenomena as well as engineering design. In addition, the interaction of the various layers with different substrates (Ni-, Co-, Ti-, Silicide-, CMC-based) that cover applications in aero- and land-based gas turbines, diesel engines, and rocket applications will be discussed.
Conference Organization
Chairs
Dr. Bruce Pint, Oak Ridge National Lab, USA, LEAD
Professor Elizabeth Opila, University of Virginia, USA
Brian Hazel, PWA, USA
Dr. Uwe Schulz, DLR, Germany
Dr. Robert Vasen, Research Center, Julich, Germany
Dr. Arturo Flores-Renteria, Siemens Energy, Germany
Dr. Bryan Harder, NASA, USA
Dr. Ram Darolia, GE Aerospace (Retired)
Advisory Committee
Dr. Mike Maloney, PWA, (Retired)
Prof. Carlos Levi, UCSB, USA
Dr. Margeux Wallace, GE Research
Dr. Ravi Shankar Naraparaju, DLR, Germany
Dr. Gyn Brewster, Rolls Royce, UK
Abstract Submissions
Abstract Submissions are closed. Abstracts for all presentations will be made available to conference participants prior to the start of the conference.
Click here to see the status of your abstract.
Poster Guidelines
The best posters display a succinct statement of major conclusions at the beginning, followed by supporting text in later segments and a brief summary at the end. Click here for instructions and more information.
Poster Size: 1.0 meter wide and 1.5 meters in length (Portrait style).
Preliminary Program
Thermal and Environmental Barrier Coatings VII Online Program
Session Descriptions
Advancements in Manufacturing Gene Delivery Vehicles: Novel Manufacturing Technologies for Process Intensification and Control
Session Chairs: Jessica Tate (CCRM), Kerry Dooriss (City of Hope), Sven Markert (Roche)
For the past two decades, viral vectors (VVs) have been the most commonly used method for in vivo delivery of gene therapies. However, challenges related to yield, purity, and consistency during the biomanufacturing of these complex therapies persist. The commercialization of several VV-based therapies over the last 10 years has emphasized the need for improved design, characterization, and manufacturability of these vectors to enhance their efficacy, safety, and affordability. This is essential to ensure that VVs remain a viable option for gene delivery. This session will delve into strategies and cutting-edge technologies designed to advance the manufacturing of VV-based medicines beyond current limitations and enable a better link process to product quality for global patient access.
We invite submissions for presentations addressing the following key areas
- Technologies and strategies to reduce cost of manufacturing for VV based gene therapies in upstream and downstream processing by increasing productivity, yield and purity focusing on stable producer cell lines, improved transient transfection and streamlined purification.
- Product quality control via process design: mechanistic case studies demonstrating the modulation of critical quality attributes (CQAs) through targeted manipulation of process parameters
- Looking beyond the horizon: Next generation manufacturing of viral vector-based gene therapies by technology driven transformation
Advances in Manufacturing of Cell Therapies
Session Chairs: Calvin Chan, Mats Akesson, Liz Csaszar
Cell therapies have proven their ability to be effective, and in some cases curative, in both oncology and non-oncology applications. The landscape of cell therapy manufacturing is evolving, with innovative strategies, tools, and methodologies being adopted for both autologous and allogeneic therapies. Despite these advancements, manufacturing remains a significant challenge for commercial cell therapy products and continues to attract the interest of early-stage developers and enabling technology providers.
As novel therapies emerge and the demand for scalable solutions increases, stakeholders must navigate unique challenges related to scale, materials, parallelization, automation, and quality control. This session will delve into the intricacies of process development and highlight cutting-edge manufacturing approaches across a variety of cell therapy products, including CAR-T and TCR-based therapies, engineered NK cells, and stem cell-based therapies.
We will cover both autologous and allogeneic manufacturing, addressing key areas such as:
- Innovations in upstream and downstream unit operations
- Development of drug products, drug substances, and cell intermediates
- New enabling technologies and platforms
- Strategies for managing costs of goods sold (COGs) and scalability
- Advances in novel reagent designs
- Control and optimization strategies
Join us for an insightful exploration of how the latest manufacturing innovations are shaping the future of cell therapies.
Enabling Equitable Patient Access to Cell & Gene Therapies through Intelligent Automation and
Session Chairs: Neil Blackburn, John Tomtishen
Cell and gene therapies (CGT) offer transformative potential for patients with previously untreatable conditions. However, despite their clinical promise, equitable patient access remains a major challenge partially due to complex and costly manufacturing processes. This session will examine how innovations in manufacturing process control, automation, and AI/ML can address these access barriers by enhancing efficiency, consistency, manufacturing capacity and scalability.
As the CGT field matures, stakeholders must confront pressing issues—ranging from high costs of goods, supply chain fragility, and infrastructure disparities to regulatory complexity. We will explore how advanced technologies are being leveraged to optimize manufacturing workflows, scale processes, and reduce variability and batch failure, which will ultimately enable enhanced manufacturing capacity, leading to broader and more affordable patient access.
This session will feature a deep dive into the role of intelligent automation and data-driven process control, with particular emphasis on:
- Real-time monitoring, digital twins, and predictive analytics for manufacturing optimization
- AI/ML-powered systems that reduce batch failures and improve quality assurance
- Closed-system automation and robotics to minimize manual intervention and human error
- Decentralized, modular manufacturing models to reach underserved populations
- Collaborative strategies with regulators and industry partners to scale innovation responsibly
- Future-forward technologies shaping scalable, sustainable access models
Join us for a forward-looking discussion on how process automation, machine learning, and smart manufacturing can democratize access to CGT—transforming the patient care landscape with greater equity, reach, and impact
The Product is the Product: considerations and tools for analytical strategy development
Session Chairs: Fernanda Masri and Chris Wiwi
For years the cell and gene therapy (C>) field has parroted the phrase “The Product is the Process.” Interpreted incorrectly, this mantra might encourage an insufficient investment in analytics during product development. As our industry has matured, celebrating several commercial products, so too have the analytical strategies. This session will consider the latest tools and approaches that are being used in C> process and product development. During this session we will hear academic and industry perspectives on (1) the critical role of methods in developing a comprehensive product control strategy, (2) advancements in the testing of viral vectors, (3) methods for gene editing, including off-target analyses, (4) improvements in rapid method development and implementation, (5) the automation of analytical methods; (6) new tools being used by product developers and technology providers.
Process & Analytical Considerations for In Vivo Gene Editing & Delivery
Session Chairs: David Hsiung, Lavanya Peddada
Gene editing technologies have revolutionized therapeutic applications, with approaches divided into ex vivo and in vivo methodologies. While ex vivo gene editing has been widely used to modify T cells for cancer immunotherapy (both autologous and allogeneic) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for genetic disorders, in vivo approaches are expanding and carry the promise to expand patient access, improve treatment efficacy, and reduce manufacturing cost & complexity. However, achieving safe and efficient in vivo gene editing requires overcoming significant challenges in delivery, manufacturing, and analytical assessment.
This session will focus on the manufacturing and analytical considerations for in vivo gene editing therapies, and aim to address key challenges and advancements in the field. Topics will include delivery technologies for gene editing tools such as lipid nanoparticles, process development and scalability, and analytical approaches to evaluate efficacy, potency, and reducing off-target effects. The session will highlight the latest innovations in in vivo gene therapy and explore the CMC strategies that can be employed to bring these products to the clinic.
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of in vivo gene editing, with insights into cutting-edge technologies and best practices for advancing these therapies toward clinical and commercial success.
Topics of interest include:
- Latest technologies (CRISPR, Prime and Base Editors, TALENs, ZFNs ) to enable “precision” genome editing
- Manufacturing considerations when choosing delivery platforms (Viral vs. non-viral delivery e.g., lipid nanoparticles, polymer-based systems)
- Scalability and standardization of delivery of gene editors (electroporation, viral, non-viral, polymer-based etc.)
- Ensuring consistency and stability of gene editing components (e.g., guide RNAs, nucleases, delivery vehicles)
- Immunogenicity and mitigation strategies for gene editing components
- Raw material quality and supply chain considerations for clinical translation
- Methods and Approaches for assessing editing efficiency and specificity in vivo
Novel approaches to combine in vivo editing with ex vivo cell therapies (e.g., target painting)
Conference Fees and Registration
The conference fee includes registration, accommodations for the nights of Sunday through Thursday (June 22-26; check-out on Friday, June 27); all meals and coffee breaks included from dinner Sunday evening through Friday lunch; an off-site excursion on Wednesday; and all taxes. Incidental fees (telephone calls, laundry, minibar etc.) are billed to your personal account by the hotel.
ALL PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND INVITED SPEAKERS) ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER.
ECI cannot guarantee hotel accommodations without advance payment. Registrations and/or payments received after May 22, 2025 will be confirmed on a first-come, first-serve basis, if space is still available.
| Registration Type | Early bird Registration by 15 May 2025 | Regular Registration After 15 May 2025 |
| Participant (single occupancy-or-sharing room with a personal guest; guest fee additional) | US $2,550 | US $2,770 |
| Participant (sharing a room with another participant) | US $2,350 | US $2,550 |
| Bona fide Graduate Students* (sharing a room with another student) To qualify, students must upload proof of current status during registration – copy of current Student ID or a letter from your university confirming your student status) | US $2,040 | US $2,240 |
| Bona fide Graduate Students* (upgrade to single room)To qualify, students must upload proof of current status during registration – copy of current Student ID or a letter from your university confirming your student status) | US $2,260 | US $2,460 |
GUEST FEES Personal Guests may not attend technical sessions. | ||
| GUEST REGISTRATION All Conference Meals & Activities – A personal guest or accompanying person sharing bedroom with a conference participant; includes all conference meals and activities; no technical sessions. | US $1,520 | US $1,520 |
If you plan to bring children to the conference, please contact Renee Smith for pricing.
Student Rates
*ECI provides discounted registration rates for bona-fide graduate students in exchange for onsite logistics support, such as: audio visual (AV) and speaker coordinator(s), on-site registration check-in support, mic runners, photographers, and more. ECI will email all students one week prior to the start of the conference to ask for on-site help preferences. We appreciate your participation and support!
Cancellation Policy
Click here for information on ECI’s Registration Cancellation Policy
Pre Conference Hotel Reservations
Kloster Irsee can offer pre-conference reservations for up to three days prior to the start of the conference. They are sold out starting Friday night, June 27 and recommend that you contact the Klosterbrãu Hotel (https://www.irsee.com) which is just across the courtyard in Irsee should you require post conference lodging in Irsee.
PreConference Hotel Reservation Form.
Previous Conferences in this Series
Thermal and Environmental Barrier Coatings
Aug 17-22, 2003
Irsee, Germany
Conference Chairs:
David R. Clarke, University of California Santa Barbara, USA
Anthony Evans, Princeton University, USA
Manfred Ruehle, MPI, Germany
Thermal Barrier Coatings II
August 12-17, 2007
Irsee, Germany
Conference Chairs:
Ram Darolia, GE Aviation, USA
Michael J. Maloney, Pratt & Whitney, USA
Kevin Hemker, Johns Hopkins University, USA
Yutaka Kagawa, University of Tokyo, Japan
Christoph Leyens, Technical University of Brandenburg at Cottbus, Germany
Thermal Barrier Coatings III
Aug. 7-12, 2011
Irsee, Germany
Conference Chairs:
Michael J. Maloney, Pratt & Whitney, USA
Uwe Schulz, German Aerospace Center, Germany
David Rickerby, Rolls-Royce, UK
Ram Darolia, GE Aviation, USA
Odile Lavigne, ONERA DMSM/MAT, France
Hideyuki Murakami, National Institute of Materials Science, Japan
Hongbo Guo, Beihang University, China
Thermal Barrier Coatings IV
June 22-27, 2014
Irsee, Germany
Conference Chairs:
Uwe Schulz, German Aerospace Center, Germany
Ram Darolia, GE Aviation, USA
Michael J. Maloney, Pratt & Whitney, USA
Thermal Barrier Coatings V
June 24 – 29, 2018
Irsee, Germany
Conference Chairs:
Robert Vaßen, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany
Brian Hazel, Pratt & Whitney, USA
Uwe Schulz, German Aerospace Center, Germany
Ram Darolia, GE Aviation, USA
Michael J. Maloney, Pratt & Whitney, USA
Thermal Barrier Coatings VI
June 19 – 24, 2022
Irsee, Germany
Conference Chairs:
Brian Hazel, Pratt & Whitney, USA
Uwe Schulz, German Aerospace Center, Germany
Mike Maloney (retired), Pratt & Whitney, USA
Robert Vaβen. Research Center, Julich, Germany
Ram Darolia (retired), GE Aviation, USA
Venue Information
Nestling in the Alpine Foreland of the Allgäu and located only a few kilometers from walled town of Kaufbeuren, the former Benedictine monastery at Irsee – founded in the 12th century – now houses a modern conference center The magnificent Baroque church and the harmoniously designed four-winged monastery, surrounded by a well-kept park, away from major highways and yet easily reached, is particularly suitable for the conference. The center offers a broad range of leisure activities including a bierstube in the cellar of the monastery and a play room with pool, table tennis and tabletop football. There is also a bocce court, and a sauna available for guests. Nearby are many jogging trails, fitness trails, a tennis center, walking and hiking trails. Across the court from the center is the Irsee brewery where conference attendees can enjoy beer directly from its source. Note that there are no televisions in the bedrooms; however, one may be rented.
The nearest major airport is Franz-Josef Strauss Airport in Munich and their web-link provides a great deal of useful information, including information for booking airport hotels.
Kloster Irsee/Swabian Conference Center at Irsee is a good starting point for excursions and sightseeing tours to the Allgäu Mountains, to Lake Constance, to Austria and Switzerland. For those who plan to extend their stay, popular day-trips are to the Castles of Linderhof and Neuschwanstein (built by the Bavarian King Ludwig II), the scenic Tannheimer Valley and the Pfaffenwinkel with its famous Baroque churches (Wieskirche).
More information about Kloster Irsee can be found at www.kloster-irsee.de
Transportation to Conference Site
The Swabian Conference Center at Irsee is nestled in the Alpine Foreland of the Allgäu, yet is conveniently located near Munich and is easily reached by rail or road. For those traveling from the airport by train, one can reach the Munich Main Station (Hauptbanhof) in several ways: (1) by Lufthansa Airport Bus. Departures are every typically 20 minutes for the 45 minutes trip. Cost is approximately 15 € one- way and 25 € roundtrip. (2) By Rapid Transit Train (“S-ban” – either S1 or S8). Departures are every 20 minutes for the 41 or 45-minute trip. (3) By taxi. The trip takes approximately 40-minutes and the price should be discussed with the driver.
From the Munich Main Station there are through trains to Kaufbeuren (about an hour ride). In front of Kaufbeuren Station there is a taxi stand.
How to get there – Kloster Irsee (kloster-irsee.de)
Bus Schedule
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.
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.