Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a series of common questions about E\PCOS to which we have written a series of replies.
01 What is the origin of E\PCOS ?
The origin of E\PCOS is in Japan. The first symposium on phase-change technology was held on September 27, 1990 in Iwate University, Japan under the name of PCOS. In the meantime, PCOS Phase Change conferences have been successfully held every year in Japan since then. In the year of 2001, the European PCOS named "E\PCOS" was founded in the mount Säntis area in Switzerland by an initiave of entrepreneurs and scientists of PCOS in Japan.
02 What is E\PCOS ?
E\PCOS is the European Symposium on Phase Change and Ovonic Science. The symposium is organized on a non-profit base and all the members of the program committee and the host organizer work on a voluntary base. While the organizing committee is only changing from time to time, the host organizer is changing every year, thus setting-up a true European organisation of E\PCOS as opposed to the Japanese PCOS.
03 What topics are covered by E\PCOS ?
At the beginning, E\PCOS focused on the phase-change technology that has enabled the realization of rewriteable optical disc memories such as DVDs and BDs (Blu-ray Discs). In recent years, E\PCOS has been expanding to the field of solid-state non-volatile electric memories, low-dimensional electronics, topological insulators, multiferroics and so on.
04 What is the mission and atmosphere of E\PCOS ?
The spirit of E\PCOS was mainly influened by Stan Ovshinsky, when he argued in the first E\PCOS conference that we will parish without vision.Hence the mission of E\PCOS is to discuss latest technology achievements and possible new application areas in a casual and open atmosphere. Thus, with such approach, we give life, growth and blooming to the "phase change" paradigm.
05 How to contribute to E\PCOS ?
You can contribute to the idea and mission of E\PCOS in several ways.You can participate in teh conferecnes and provide fruitful interactions. You can present a paper or a poster on your scientific work. Or you can sponsor our activites or our young researchers.