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Electrically conductive Ag thin films were successfully formed onto optically transparent polyimide films via all-wet chemical process. The process involves alkaline-induced surface modification of polyimide films, subsequent incorporation of Ag+ ions through ion exchange reaction followed by reduction of incorporated Ag+ ions. Initial alkaline treatment time determines thickness (depth) of surface-modified layer and amount of Ag+ ions loading consequently. Higher Ag+ ions loading result in forming electrically conductive Ag thin films and its granular interfacial structure. Cu electroplating is able to be conducted on the resulting Ag thin films directly, and adhesive strength between the Cu(/Ag) film and transparent polyimide substrate reached up to 2 kN m−1.

We have presented a very simple approach, the incorporation of metal complex into polymer matrix followed by thermal decomposition of complex, to the fabrication of metal nanoparticles/polymer composite thin films and have determined their domain structure. The approach involves the polymerization of monomer with metal complex into polymerized matrix, and annealing in vacuum condition. Here, the key is to use a gold (I) complex with phenyl groups that have strong interaction between metal complexes. This method allows us to synthesize Au nanoparticles dispersed in polystyrene-based polymer thin films with Au domain structures.

The International Conference on Thin Films is the most established conference for all researchers and persons interested in thin films and coatings. It is one of the tri-annual conference series endorsed and co-organized by the Thin Film Division of the International Union for Vacuum Science, Technique and Applications (IUVSTA), a union of national member societies whose role is to stimulate international collaboration in the fields of vacuum science, techniques and applications and related multi-disciplinary topics including solid-vacuum and other interfaces. The 15th International Conference on Thin Films (ICTF-15) is organized by The Vacuum Society of Japan (VSJ) and held at Kyoto TERRSA in Kyoto, Japan on 8–11 November 2011, following the 14th International Conference on Thin Films (ICTF-14), which was held in Ghent, Belgium in 2008. Thin films and coatings are daily becoming increasingly important in the fields of various industries. This International Conference provides a multi-disciplinary forum for recent advances in basic research, development and applications of thin films and coatings. This conference will present a unique opportunity for researchers, engineers and managers to acquire new knowledge of thin films and coatings. We hope that our understanding on thin films and coatings will be deepened through this conference. The conference site, 'Kyoto TERRSA' is located in the historical heart of the old capital Kyoto. Kyoto is an ancient city with a 1200-year history. It was established as Japan's capital under the name 'Heian-kyo' in the year 794. Although many transformations have taken place over the years, Kyoto has always embraced the most advanced standards of the times. It has greatly contributed to the nation's industrial, economic and cultural development. The dauntless spirit of leadership of Kyoto's past as a capital city is still felt here today. Kyoto also preserves the beloved examples of its culture as testimonials of time. This is shown in the ancient temples and shrines, as well as private houses, which are built in styles unique to Kyoto. Furthermore, many festivals, ceremonies and traditional activities reveal the will of this city to convey and develop its 1200-year-old culture. Participants of the conference will also be able to see many world heritage sites in the city. Moreover, November is the best time of year to visit Kyoto. We hope you will enjoy Kyoto very much. We would like to offer our thanks for all the contributions from the members of the International Advisory Committee and Organizing Committee, Symposium Chairs, the Secretary General, the Thin Film Division of IUVSTA (chair: Professor Dr Alberto Tagliaferro), IUVSTA, VSJ and other cooperating societies, and to all of the supporting organizations and enterprises. We would also like to express our thanks to all of the participants, secretariat members and members of the supporting staff. I am very pleased to welcome you to ICTF-15 and Kyoto! Director Professor Dr Osamu Takai Chairperson of ICTF-15 EcoTopia Science Institute, and Department of Materials, Physics and Energy Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University Japan

The repulsive Casimir force is expected as a force which enables to levitate small objects such as machine parts used in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and superlubricity in MEMS may be realized by this levitation. We study the Casimir force between a gold sphere and a nanocomposite sheet containing many nickel nanoparticles. In particular, we focus on the dependence of the Casimir force on the separation between the gold sphere and the surface of the nanocomposite sheet. The Casimir force changes from the attractive force to the repulsive force as the separation increases. The strength of the repulsive force is, however, too small to levitate MEMS parts.

Very thin Nylon 11 films (≤20 nm in thickness) containing Au or Ge nanoparticles (Au/Nylon 11 or Ge/Nylon 11) were prepared by a thermal relaxation technique, and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics in the vertical direction of the films were studied. In the case of Au/Nylon 11, the plan and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images revealed that Au nanocrystals are spontaneously aligned in the middle of the upper and lower electrodes and Nylon 11 tunneling barriers are formed between Au nanocrystals and electrodes. In the case of Ge/Nylon 11, lattice fringes corresponding to Ge crystals with the diamond structure were not observed in TEM images, suggesting that amorphous Ge particles are dispersed in Nylon 11 films. Clear Coulomb staircases were observed in the I–V characteristics in both cases.