Smart Materials and Surfaces 2026 Conference sessions/ themes are as follow:

Session 1: Intelligent Design, Multifunctional Materials & Surfaces

• Advances in Functional and Multifunctional Materials
• Hybrid and Composite Materials
• AI and Machine Learning for Materials Discovery
• Digital Twins for Smart Structural Materials
• High-Throughput Synthesis of Functional Surface Materials
• Advanced Characterization of Responsive Materials

Session 2: Nano-Systems, Quantum Materials & Surfaces

• Graphene and Other Emerging 2D-layered Nanomaterials
• Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity
• Advances in Inorganic Luminescent Materials and Applications
• Quantum Materials for Sensing and Computing
• Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Substitution
• Atomic-scale Characterization of Nano-materials

Session 3: Bio-Medical Materials & Living Surfaces

• Bioinspired and Biomimetic Bioactive Materials
• Intelligent Drug Delivery and Release Materials
• Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Materials
• Self-Disinfecting and Antimicrobial Nanocoated Surfaces
• Bio-hybrid and Living Materials for Medical Interfaces
• Stimuli-Responsive Bio-materials for Healthcare

Session 4: Energy, Environment & Sustainable Materials/Surfaces

• Catalytic and Photocatalytic Materials and Surfaces
• Energy Harvesting via Smart Materials
• Fire Retardant Materials and Protective Surfaces
• Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) Coatings
• Self-Cleaning and Anti-Fouling Surface Materials
• Advanced Materials for Green Hydrogen and Capture

Session 5: Adaptive Materials, Structures & Actuating Surfaces

• Shape Memory Materials (Alloys and Polymers)
• Electro-active Polymers and Soft Actuator Materials
• New Materials for Sensors and Actuators
• Smart Materials & Micro/Nanosystems
• 4D Printing and Programmed Matter Materials
• Autonomous Self-Healing and Repairing Surfaces

Session 6: Functional Electronics, Materials & Smart Surfaces

• Stretchable and Flexible Electronic Materials & Devices
• Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS) for 6G and Industry 5.0
• Advances in Multiferroic and Magnetoelectric Materials
• Intelligent Materials for Textiles and e-Textiles
• Neuromorphic Materials for AI Hardware
• Interactive and Touch-Sensitive Smart Surface Materials

In addition to thses main conference sessions, focus sessions/ workshops on innovative topics will run in parallel. To date confirmed focus sessions/ workshops include:

Focus session on Smart Thin Films and Nano-Coatings: From Deposition to Functional Performance

Session chairs: Dr. Masoud Ahmadi, UCLouvain, Belgium and Dr. Diego Ribas Gomes, KIT, Germany

Description: Functional thin films and nano-coatings underpin a growing range of technologies in sensing, energy, nuclear systems, healthcare, and environmental protection. This focused session brings together researchers working across the full pipeline of these materials: from the design and synthesis to scalable deposition techniques such as ALD, PVD, CVD, sputtering, and sol-gel, to advanced characterization, in-situ testing/monitoring, and the assessment of long-term performance and reliability. We particularly welcome contributions addressing nanostructured and hierarchical surfaces, sustainable and safe-by-design coating strategies, and the integration of functional films into sensing, antimicrobial, anti-corrosion, and energy-related applications. Contributions addressing smart nanostructural design, thin film nanomechanics, and approaches for enhancing degradation and damage resistance are also encouraged. The session aims to foster exchange between fundamental materials and industrially relevant applications with a strong emphasis on durability, functionality and sustainability.

Keywords: Thin films, Deposition, Functional properties, Characterization, Nanostructures, Surfaces