Smart Materials and Surfaces 2026 Conference sessions/ themes are as follow:
Session 1: Intelligent Design, Multifunctional Materials & Surfaces
Session 2: Nano-Systems, Quantum Materials & Surfaces
Session 3: Bio-Medical Materials & Living Surfaces
Session 4: Energy, Environment & Sustainable Materials/Surfaces
Session 5: Adaptive Materials, Structures & Actuating Surfaces
Session 6: Functional Electronics, Materials & Smart Surfaces
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 Functional Nanomaterials: Design, Processing, Properties, and Emerging Applications
Description: Functional nanomaterials are enabling transformative advances across materials science, engineering, energy, electronics, healthcare, and environmental technologies due to their unique size-dependent physical, chemical, electrical, optical, magnetic, and mechanical properties. This focus session will bring together researchers and engineers working on the synthesis, functionalization, characterization, modeling, and application of advanced nanostructured materials.
The session will highlight recent developments in nanomaterial design strategies, surface engineering, hierarchical architectures, and scalable processing routes aimed at achieving tailored functionalities. Contributions addressing fundamental mechanisms, advanced characterization approaches, multifunctional behavior, and integration of nanomaterials into next-generation devices and systems are encouraged. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, functional nanoparticles, nanocomposites, 2D nanomaterials, nano-enabled coatings, energy and environmental applications, sensing technologies, biomedical nanomaterials, additive manufacturing of nanostructured materials, and the relationship between nanoscale structure and macroscopic performance.
Keywords: Functional nanomaterials, Nanostructured materials, Nanocomposites, 2D materials, Nanoparticles and nanohybrids, Surface functionalization, Nanoengineering, Advanced characterization, Structure–property relationships, Multifunctional materials, Smart materials, Energy storage and conversion, Sensors and electronics, Biomedical nanomaterials, Catalytic nanomaterials, Sustainable nanotechnologies, Computational nanomaterials design, Emerging nanomaterial applications
Focus session on Smart Thin Films and Nano-Coatings: From Deposition to Functional Performance
Description: Smart thin films and nano-coatings are enabling technologies for the next generation of smart materials and functional surfaces, providing tailored physical, chemical, mechanical, optical, and biological properties for advanced applications. Aligned with the theme of SMS 2026 – From Molecular Design to Functional Materials & Smart Surfaces, this focus session will explore the complete lifecycle of smart coatings—from materials design and scalable deposition processes to advanced characterization, performance evaluation, and real-world implementation.
The session welcomes contributions on innovative deposition techniques (ALD, PVD, CVD, sputtering, sol-gel, and related methods), nanostructured and multifunctional coatings, interface engineering, and smart surface architectures with adaptive, protective, sensing, self-cleaning, antimicrobial, anti-corrosion, energy, and electronic functionalities. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationships between processing, microstructure, surface functionality, durability, and sustainability, fostering the translation of fundamental materials research into industrial and emerging smart technologies.
Keywords: Smart thin films; Nano-coatings; Smart surfaces; Functional materials; Surface engineering; Interface engineering; Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD); Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD); Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD); Sputtering; Sol-gel coatings; Nanostructured surfaces; Surface characterization; Functional performance; Multifunctional coatings; Protective coatings; Energy materials; Sensors; Antimicrobial surfaces; Self-cleaning surfaces; Sustainable coatings; Advanced materials.
Focus session on Bioinspired and Biomimetic Bioactive Materials: From Nature-Inspired Design to Smart Biomedical Surfaces
Description: Nature provides powerful design strategies for creating advanced materials with hierarchical architectures, adaptive functions, and dynamic interactions with their environment. This focus session will explore emerging bioinspired and biomimetic bioactive materials that integrate biological principles with smart materials engineering to enable next-generation healthcare technologies and intelligent surfaces.
Topics will cover multifunctional biomaterials, biomimetic interfaces, bioactive nanostructures, responsive polymers and hydrogels, biohybrid systems, antimicrobial and self-adaptive surfaces, intelligent drug delivery platforms, and advanced fabrication approaches including 3D/4D printing and AI-guided materials design. The session aims to showcase how molecular design, surface engineering, and biomimetic strategies can deliver adaptive, multifunctional, and biologically active smart materials with enhanced performance for biomedical devices, regenerative technologies, sensing platforms, and future healthcare applications.
Keywords: Bioinspired materials; Biomimetic materials; Bioactive surfaces; Smart biomaterials; Biointerfaces; Responsive materials; Nanobiomaterials; Biohybrid systems; Advanced fabrication; Biomedical applications.
Focus session on Circular Bio-based Materials & Biopolymers
Description: The transition to sustainable manufacturing and a circular economy relies on the development of renewable, resource-efficient materials that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining performance and functionality. This session focuses on recent advances in circular bio-based materials and biopolymers, covering their design, processing, characterization, and industrial applications. Contributions addressing renewable feedstocks, biomass valorization, bio-based composites, biodegradable and recyclable polymers, green manufacturing, recycling and upcycling technologies, additive manufacturing, eco-design, life cycle assessment (LCA), and digital tools for sustainable material development are encouraged. The session aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry, highlighting innovative solutions that support resilient, low-carbon, and circular manufacturing systems, in line with the objectives of SMS 2026.
Keywords: Circular economy; Bio-based materials; Biopolymers; Sustainable manufacturing; Renewable feedstocks; Biomass valorization; Bio-based composites; Biodegradable polymers; Recycling and upcycling; Green processing; Additive manufacturing; Eco-design; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Circular bioeconomy; Resource efficiency.