From March 20^th to 22^nd, 2024, the 3^rd Dresden International Colloquium on Tailored Carbon Fibers took place after 2018 and 2021. This time, the RCCF hosted the event at the Radisson Blu Conference & Hotel Center in Radebeul, Dresden. The event was attended by leading international researchers in the field of carbon fiber research, including guests from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST Jeonbuk, South Korea), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA, Greece), Deakin University Geelong/CarbonNexus (Australia) and the technology and research institutions CANOE (Pessac, France) and WoodK+ (Linz, Austria). The high-ranking international field of participants was complemented by national scientists and early-career researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics (Halle/Saale), the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research (IPF, Dresden), the University of Applied Sciences Leipzig (HTWK, Leipzig) and the University of Applied Sciences Dresden (HTW, Dresden).

The approximately 30 participants dealt with scientific topics along the entire production and process chain of carbon fibers. The speakers came from different fields relevant to carbon fiber research, such as (bio)chemistry, physics, materials science, process engineering, lightweight engineering or textile technology, so that a mutual, in-depth understanding of the respective core research areas could be achieved.

In addition to the main topic of the development of sustainable / renewable carbon fibers, this year’s focus was also on multifunctional carbon fibers, for example with sensory or energy-storing properties, for individual applications in a wide range of industries and sectors. Over two days, the participating researchers were able to exchange the latest findings of cutting-edge research in this field in three consecutive sessions on 1) "Precursor fibers from renewable/alternative raw material sources", 2) "Processing/thermal conversion/structure-property relationships of carbon fibers" and 3) "Analytics, sizing systems and application scenarios for carbon fibers" as well as a separate discussion round on the development of lignin-based carbon fibers and discuss the future, in particular the future application areas, of this lightweight material.

With special thanks to the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the TU Dresden (Internationalization Funding Program) as well as to all speakers and guests, we look forward to the 4^th Dresden International Colloquium on Tailored Carbon Fibers.