Ralf studied Physics at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen/Nuremberg, Germany and received his diploma in 1998. His work focused on preparation of metastable iron silicide and phase characterization by LEED. In 1998 he joined Fraunhofer IST for his PhD thesis. Ralf Bandorf received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2002 from Fraunhofer IST / Carolo-Wilhelmina Technical University Braunschweig, Germany. His thesis focused on sub-micron tribological coatings for electromagnetic micro actuators. Ralf continued at Fraunhofer IST as a staff scientist, specifically as project leader in the group “Micro and Sensor Technology” with a focus on PVD and PACVD coatings. He worked in the field of plastic metallization for flexible circuits, piezoresistive materials (especially based on DLC), electrically conductive and insulating coatings as well as magnetic thin films. In 2007, he became Head of Group “Sensoric Functional Coatings” and since 2015 he is Head of Group “PACVD and hybrid processes” at Fraunhofer IST. His focus is on PACVD with different excitation, plasma sources, hollow cathode processes, especially gas flow sputtering, and HIPIMS. Since 2018 he also serves as distinguished chair professor at Feng Chia University, Taichung Taiwan. Ralf combines over 20 years of experience in vacuum science and technology with focus on applied research and development.