NEW ORLEANS - Potential presenters are invited to submit abstracts for the 40^th Annual International Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings Symposium. The abstract submission due date is August 15, 2012.

This three-day technical coatings conference, sponsored by the School of Polymers and High-Performance Materials at The University of Southern Mississippi, will offer a dual-track forum for professionals who develop, research, specify or use additives, resins, solvents, pigments, and thin films and coatings (protective, decorative or functional), as well as for coatings manufacturers, end-users, sales personnel and academia.

Organizers are looking for papers pertaining to new and emerging technologies related to materials, processes, production, characterization, application and markets in the field of surface coatings. Suggested topics include (but are not limited to):  waterborne, high solids, nano, emulsions, additives, corrosion, UV, pigments, general sessions and powder coatings.

Papers will be selected based on the submitted abstracts. All speakers must submit a paper for publication in the annual proceedings book. Papers principally commercial in nature will not be accepted. Papers must be original and represent recent advancements in coatings science or related disciplines. Papers for accepted abstract are due November 15, 2012.

For additional information, visit http://www.psrc.usm.edu/waterborne/index.html.

The symposium will take place February 4-8, 2013, in New Orleans. Short Courses are scheduled for February 4-5, with the main symposium February 6-8 and technology showcases February 5-7.