Area
E. ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION
Dr.-Ing. Dirk Lehmhus
Fraunhofer IFAM
Prof. Dr. Donatella Giuranno
National Research Council of Italy-ICMATE
E1 – Automotive and Surface Transport
Scope
Sustainability demands and circularity approaches are being developed and integrated into the automotive and transport sectors. These additional requirements are naturally reflected in the selection of materials, processes and assembly methods for lightweight vehicles and components. The product end-of-life should be included in the early design stages to support circular economy approaches and retain the materials’ values within the value chain.
Description
The planned symposium will highlight sustainability approaches as a common denominator and focus on the vehicle – the term vehicle including the road and rail sector. Specific topics are suggested to provide focal points for contributions and build dedicated sessions covering the respective areas.
The intention is to provide a thematically wide forum allowing design, materials, and process engineers active in various subsectors of the transport industry to exchange research ideas and trends in their respective fields for their mutual benefit.
This symposium will offer an opportunity for scientists to present and discuss the results of their research through oral and/or poster presentations exchanging knowledge, ideas, and opinions between participants. It also will be a good opportunity for early carrier researchers and students to learn about the current state of research from experts in the field.
Targeted topics
List of main topics and subtopics (but not limited to):
- Advanced manufacturing technologies for transport applications
- Additive manufacturing
- Modelling of manufacturing processes including artificial intelligence approaches
- Mega- and Giga-casting
- Alloy development
- Repairing by welding/AM
- Vehicles electrification and batteries
- Material development for new cell chemistries
- Materials for battery packages and sensors
- Materials for electronics
- Displays and Infotainment
- Electronic boards and plastronics
- Polymeric materials
- Structural plastics and composites
- Rubbers
- Concepts supporting Circular Economy Approaches (re-use, re-cycle, re-manufacture) in the automotive sector
- Material flow analysis
- Cost modelling
- Life Cycle Assessment and sustainability indicators
- End-of-life and disassembly strategies
OrganizerS
Dr. Ing. Dirk Lehmhus
Fraunhofer Institute IFAM (DE)
Dr. Lucia Lattanzi
Jönköping University (SE)
Dr. Mauro Francesco Sgroi
University of Turin (IT)
E3 – Space Exploration and Exploitation
Abstract
Highly demanding applications include design, development and testing of new materials having long-term stability in the harsh environment of space and in other extreme conditions as those of high temperature corrosion. Concerning Materials for Space Applications, the International Space Station (ISS) allows testing of material properties and control of experimental conditions to an extent impossible on Earth. Since 2018, The Materials International Space Station Experiments Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) enables the integrated testing of materials behaviour under extreme conditions such as those in low Earth orbit, including ultraviolet, electromagnetic and ionizing radiations, thermal cycles, ultrahigh vacuum, charged particles, impacts, etc. Moreover, the forthcoming space missions aiming to create new habits on the Moon and into the deep space, as well as the Mars exploration program, are opening new challenges for materials scientists in enabling in-situ efficient power generation, manufacturing and repairing, water recycling, food and energy storage facilities (ISRU-in situ resources utilization).
The symposium offers an opportunity to present and discuss research results related to advanced materials enabling space exploration and space exploitation. A special attention will be paid to recent advances in materials and technologies for making sustainable long-term space missions.
Scope
Symposium will offer an opportunity for scientists to present and discuss the results of their research through oral and/or poster presentations exchanging knowledge, ideas and opinions between participants. It also will be a good opportunity for early carrier researchers and students to learn about the current state of research from experts in the field.
The following materials in the covered topics are of special interest: UHT-Composites, Refractory materials, HEA, BMG alloys, lightweighting alloys, Polymers, ground-based technologies under microgravity conditions, Lunar soil exploitation, etc.
Description
The symposium will include experimental and theoretical contributions related to scientific and technological subjects interesting for Space exploration and exploitation, as well as extreme environments applications.
Beyond this general scope, specific topics are highlighted to provide focal points for contributions and realize dedicated sessions covering the respective areas. Such suggested session topics include:
Targeted topics
- Ultra Light-weight materials for space exploration (Mg-based, Polymers, etc.).
- Advanced structural materials for space environments and human protection.
- Advanced materials for space exploration: Metal- and Ceramic-matrix composites (MMCs, CMCs), New metal based system (Superalloys, HEAs, BMGs, etc.) and innovative coating systems as thermal and corrosive barriers
- Self-healing and self-repairing materials.
- Liquid-assisted processes (infiltration, brazing, soldering, casting, etc.), Additive Manufacturing, Catalysis, Powder Metallurgy, Assessment of Extraction Processes under non-Terrestrial conditions, etc.
- Space explotation: Thermophysical properties measurements under microgravity, In-situ resource utilization and ground-based supports.
OrganizerS
Dr. Benedict Replinger
German Aerospace Center (DE)
Dr. Ugo Lafont
ESA (NL)
Dr. Rada Novakovic
CNR (IT)
Abstract
The development of efficient methods for storing energy is absolutely necessary to support renewable energy sources and an ongoing green transformation. The Energy Storage Symposium at EUROMAT is designed to investigate the most advanced materials, technologies, and processes for developing sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions. The symposium offers a multidisciplinary forum to discuss research results related to various energy storage methods, and the most recent advances in materials and technologies for energy storage, including, but not limited to, thermal, pumped hydro or metal ion batteries, etc.
Scope
The symposium covers a wide range of topics and advancements related to all aspects of materials and technologies for energy storage, including theoretical considerations, designing, modelling, production, characterization, integration to renewable energy sources (RES) and novel engineering applications. Furthermore, the symposium will cover the sustainability aspects, lifecycle analysis, and recycling strategies of energy storage devices.
The following materials in energy storage technologies are of special interest: emerging materials and technologies for the next generation of energy storage, novel materials for storage, phase-change and thermochemical materials, metal ion batteries, supercapacitors, new electrolytes, carbon-based materials (graphene, nanotubes), and other innovative structures and designs.
Description
The main purpose of energy storing is to utilize energy that is produced at peak times to later fill the gap between its demand and production. Energy storage is essential in the transition to a sustainable and renewable energy future. Nowadays, available energy storage solutions are becoming much more diverse in terms of the way how energy is stored; and what are energy storage capacities, operational temperatures, re-charging cycles, etc. Furthermore, new application opportunities appeared as the solar and wind RES has become more widespread geographically.
The main goal of this symposium is to present and discuss recent developments in the energy storage field, specifically from the point of view of existing challenges in materials science and technologies. The symposium is planned to be a platform to exchange knowledge regarding materials science and engineering issues existing in various storage technologies including electrochemical, electric, mechanical and thermal energy storage.
The results of research works at every maturity level (starting from fundamental science to almost-finished engineering applications) are welcome to be presented. The symposium will facilitate the collaboration of all the participants, promote the exchange of ideas, and expedite the development of next-generation energy storage solutions by uniting experts from academia, industry, and research institutions under a unique and synergetic framework.
Targeted topics
List of topics and subtopics:
- Emerging materials, structures and technologies for the next-generation of energy storage (Nanostructured materials, 2D materials and composites, Conversion materials and high-capacity alloys, Advanced electrolytes, Superconductors, Hybrid capacitors and supercapacitors, Carbon-based capacitors, Novel separators…)
- Innovations in Electrochemical storage (Metal ion, Solid-state, Lithium-sulfur, Sodium-ion, Metal-air, Redox flow …)
- Most recent advances in Mechanical energy storage and systems (Advanced flywheel materials and designs, Compressed air energy storage (CAES), Pumped hydro storage, gravity storage, etc.)
- Novel applications and fabrication of energy storage materials (structural energy storage, wearable and flexible energy storage, biomimetic energy storage, printable storage materials, thermoelectric storage, additive manufacturing and printable storage materials, etc.).
- Advanced characterization techniques for storing materials
- Modelling and computational simulation of energy storage systems
- Recycling, circularity, and safe and sustainability by design in energy storage technologies
- Security and reliability aspects of energy storage devices (degradation mechanism performance, lifetime prediction, risk mitigation measures, etc.).
OrganizerS
Dr. Donatella Giuranno
CNR (IT)
Dr. Patricia Royo
IIDENER (ES)
Dr. Wojciech Polkowski
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
E5 – Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Technology
Abstract
The urgent need highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of decarbonizing the current energy portfolio to a cleaner and more sustainable one is progressively triggering the attention to clean energy generation from largely available natural resources. In this context, the symposium aims at joining recent research advances in the target fields, promoting cooperation between researchers focusing on the development of functional materials for renewable energy generation and storage with regard to the hydrogen-based economy and the reduction of carbon footprint.
Scope
This symposium is a multi-disciplinary forum devoted to forefront advances in multi-functional nanomaterials for renewable energy applications and hydrogen generation and storage
, that play a prominent role to satisfy the ever-increasing global energy demand in a greener perspective. The attention will encompass the whole chain from organic/inorganic/hybrid material preparation, characterization and theoretical modeling, up to functional tests and device integration of novel and improved systems. The trait-de-union bridging together these aspects is the production and conversion of clean energy, in compliance with the Do Not Significant Harm (DNSH) principle and Agenda 2030 goals.
Description
The valorization of natural resources, such as water and sunlight, for renewable energy generation plays a major role to promote a sustainable development counteracting air/water pollution. In this regard, solar-activated water splitting has emerged as a strategic route to facilitate molecular hydrogen integration in the energy models of a decarbonized society. Promising avenues are also offered by: i)
the (photo)electrosynthesis of ammonia and other solar fuels, indispensable feedstocks for a plethora of end-uses; ii) the fabrication of green materials reducing the exploitation of critical raw sources, for end-uses in novel solar cells and technologies for cooling, energy conversion, thermal management. However, energy generated and converted even in the most “green” way still needs to be stored, and hydrogen-based methods are one of the possible solutions, in many aspect competitive to currently used. Solid state hydrogen storage materials used for that still require improvement but in the same time may be used as heat storage materials and sometimes even as electrode for solid state batteries.
In this panorama, the proposed symposium heads to gathering together expertises from complementary fields, such as synthetic chemistry, physics of matter, materials engineering, focused on the preparation and investigation of materials and devices for renewable energy technologies. Besides involving the participation of internationally renowned speakers, the symposium is devoted to young scientists and is expected to promote new directions in fostering the creation of excellence networks in the field of renewable energy resources, even in view of upcoming EU calls.
Targeted topics
The topics will include, but not be limited to:
- Atomic-scale engineering of photo- and electrocatalysts
- Advanced material fabrication and functionalization techniques (vapor-phase processes, hydrothermal routes, solution syntheses, plasma-assisted deposition and modification, etc.)
- Structural, compositional and morphological material characterization by means of advanced techniques
- In situ and operando physico-chemical characterization
- Computational techniques for property simulation and prediction
- Water splitting: hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, … even from natural sunlight, seawater, and wastewaters containing organic pollutants
- (Photo)electrosynthesis of ammonia and other solar fuels
- Energy applications (solar cells, photoreforming of renewable sources, cooling and heat removal processes, ….)
- Detailed functional tests and device construction for renewable energy end-uses
- Hydrogen and energy storage in metal hydrides based systems
- New materials for solid state batteries
OrganizerS
Davide Barreca
CNR (IT)
Marek Polanski
Warsaw Military University
Prof. Emanuel Ionescu
IWKS (DE)
E6 – Energy Harvestingf Materials
Abstract
The Symposium on Energy Harvesting in Energy and Transportation aims to explore the latest advancements and innovations in harvesting energy from a variety of sources to power transportation systems in a sustainable manner. This conference provides a platform for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to discuss cutting-edge technologies, challenges, and opportunities in integrating energy harvesting solutions within the transportation infrastructure. The event will cover a wide array of topics, including energy and nanotechnology, materials and techniques for energy harvesting, energy harvesting and sensing applications, energy management in wireless sensors networks, smart grid integration, and the role of IoT in optimizing energy use in transportation. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the symposium aims to provide a boost to advance the development of efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly materials and technologies for transportation systems, thus satisfying the growing global demand for sustainable energy solutions.
Scope
This symposium aims to explore novel energy harvesting techniques tailored for sensing and transportation applications, focusing on maximizing energy capture from vehicular motion, ambient vibrations, and other environmental sources. The objective is to develop systems that can significantly reduce the dependency on traditional fuel sources and contribute to a greener transportation infrastructure.
Description
The researchemploys a multidisciplinary approach, integrating advanced materials science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. Scientists have developed prototypes of energy harvesting devices utilizing piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and electromagnetic technologies. Field tests have been conducted on various transportation modes, including automobiles, trains, and bicycles, to evaluate the performance and efficiency of these devices under real-world conditions. It has been shown that piezoelectric-based devices can effectively harvest energy from road vibrations, generating sufficient power to support low-energy vehicular electronics. Thermoelectric generators mounted on vehicle exhaust systems demonstrate a significant conversion of waste heat into electrical power. Additionally, electromagnetic harvesters show promise in capturing energy from the oscillatory movements of trains, bicycles, and other forms of transport. The results on energy and transportation suggest that integrating energy harvesting technologies into transportation systems can lead to substantial energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. Further development and optimization of these technologies could pave the way for self-sustaining transportation networks. This topic underscores the potential of energy harvesting as a cornerstone of future sustainable sensing applications and transportation solutions.
Targeted topics
List of topics and subtopics:
- Energy and Nanotechnology
- Materials and techniques for energy harvesting
- Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications
- Energy management in wireless sensors networks
- Smart Grid Integration (Energy Distribution Networks, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Systems, Grid Management and Control
- Internet of Things (IoT) Energy Consumption Optimization (Smart sensors and Actuators; Data Analytics and Machine Learning)
- Theoretical study and Simulation in Energy Harvesting process
OrganizerS
Dr. Cristina Ciomaga
UAIC (RO)
Prof. Cris Bowen
Univ of BATH (UK)
Dr. Maria Teresa Buscaglia
ICMATE-CNR (IT)
E7 – Thermal Energy Management
Abstract
With the increasing global demand for efficient energy systems, the development of advanced materials for thermal energy management has become critical, particularly in addressing challenges such as environmental pollution and the energy crisis, which are exacerbated by industrialization, rapid population growth, and elevated living standards. This symposium convenes leading researchers, industry experts, and practitioners to examine the latest advancements in materials science, focusing on topics ranging from fundamental thermal properties to their applications in electronics, infrastructure, and renewable energy systems. Participants will engage in knowledge exchange, discussing future trends in the design of materials for thermal regulation, storage, and dissipation. The event will also provide a platform to integrate engineering disciplines, emphasizing the importance of sustainable approaches and highlighting the environmental implications of energy systems. By incorporating recent breakthroughs in materials science, the symposium aims to advance clean energy technologies, mitigate energy inefficiencies, and contribute to the achievement of net-zero energy systems in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Scope
The symposium aims to facilitate knowledge exchange among academic researchers, non-academic professionals, and industry experts, fostering a collaborative environment for interdisciplinary innovation. Key areas of focus include grant writing, multi-tiered partnerships, and case studies that emphasize sustainable energy practices, environmental impact mitigation, clean energy solutions, energy efficiency, and advancements in renewable energy technologies.
Targeted topics
- Phase change materials (PCMs): Passive heating materials, hybrid systems, building applications, thermal management systems
- Concrete: emerging applications, heat waste and recovery, clinker-based materials, CO2 reduction, novel composite materials
- Sustainability: green processes using waste and bio-waste materials, materials for CO2 capture, filters and absorbers, recyclable materials, geo-polymers.
- Thermal conductivity: porous media, nanostructured materials, metal matrix composites, and measurement techniques
- Thermochemical materials (TCMs): novel TCMs, heat storage and upgrade systems
- Thermal interface materials (TIMs): high-performance TIMs, characterization, advanced composites
- Thermoelectric materials: waste heat recovery, efficiency enhancement, applications
- Caloric materials: magnetoelastic alloys for cooling, multicaloric materials
- Heat-resistant materials: ceramics, refractories, coatings, etc.
- Bio-inspired and sustainable materials: biomimetic materials, recyclable materials, natural applications
- Electronics and photonics: thermal control, cooling technologies, semiconductor devices
OrganizerS
Dr. Elena Villa
ICMATE-CNR (IT)
Dr. Dominika Zabiegaj
Northumbria University Newcastel (UK)
Dr. Daniel Salazar Jaramillo
BCMaterials (ES)
Prof. Davoud Jafari
UTwente (NL)
E8 – Nuclear Energy: Fission & Fusion
Scope
Nuclear energy is a key element of a clean energy strategy to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Current and future generations of nuclear reactors require improved structural, functional and fuel materials capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions, increasing the efficiency during normal conditions and the safety during accidental conditions and increasing reactor lifetimes. The present symposium is addressed to researchers working on nuclear materials, aiming to facilitate the information exchange about scientific and technological advancements. This includes both scientific studies and practical implementations like fabrication and qualification methodologies, standardization as well as identification of knowledge gaps and industrial roadmaps.
Description
The materials used for nuclear energy applications (fission and fusion reactors) are usually exposed to harsh operating conditions which are characterized by high temperature, irradiation, mechanical stress, and corrosive environments. Consequently, the understanding of damaging mechanisms and the qualification of materials in relevant conditions is mandatory to optimize performance and operational limits of new and current generation reactors. The development of new and/or advanced materials becomes imperative to overcome the limits of conventional materials for new generations of nuclear systems which aim to increase efficiency, safety and sustainability. Furthermore, the implementation of materials in design codes and standardization of the qualification methodologies are fundamental points to accelerate the employment of new materials in conventional coolant environments (e.g. water) or conventional materials in new environments (e.g. liquid metals and molten salts). This symposium focuses on materials for current and new fission and fusion reactors (LWR, LFR, MSR, DEMO, ITER reactors) and development of functional materials such as protective coatings and anti-permeation coatings. Qualification of the materials under specific environments and relevant conditions (corrosion, thermo-mechanical behaviour, behaviour under irradiation) and the development of design codes and standards for qualification are included as well. Aspects related to fission/fusion cross-cutting materials and discussions on R&D roadmaps and programs by stakeholders and industries are also included. Aspects of accelerated materials development could also be addressed.
Targeted topics
List of main topics and subtopics (but not limited to:
- Materials and fuels for fission reactor components and fabrication (manufacturing, process optimization, characterization, modelling): bulk metals and ceramics, composites, oxides, welds and other joining methodologies
- Materials for fusion reactor components (divertor, limiter, first wall, breeding blanket) and fabrication (manufacturing, process optimization, characterization): bulk metals and ceramics, composites, welds and other joining methodologies
- Functional materials for fission and fusion reactor components and fabrication (manufacturing, process optimization, characterization): anti-corrosion coatings, anti-permeation coatings, thermal barriers, neutron multiplier materials, superconductive materials, insulating materials, etc…
- Qualification of materials under relevant environment and specific characterizations (corrosion behavior, thermo-mechanical behavior, He and T embrittlement, liquid metal embrittlement, Tritium and deuterium related properties such as retention, accumulation, diffusion and release, anti-permeation)
- Fundamental studies and qualification of irradiation effects (neutrons, protons, heavy ions) including advanced characterization methods and modelling (Defect production, Microstructure evolution, Mechanical property changes, He and H and T effects, Theoretical modelling, test facilities for material qualification)
- Nuclear Codes & Standards, Test Standardization (Materials and properties database, development of codes, guidelines/protocols for experimental qualification, accelerated testing)
- Fission/fusion cross-cutting issues and synergism with materials applications
- Roadmaps, R&D programs and gaps for fabrication and qualification in fission and fusion communities and industries.
- Accelerated development of materials in the nuclear world
OrganizerS
Dr. Rebeca Hernández Pascual
CIEMAT (ES)
Dr. Dario Ripamonti
ICMATE-CNR (IT)
Dr. Serena Bassini
ENEA (IT)
Dr. Erich Stengar
SCK CEN (BE)
Dr. Alfons Weisemburger
KIT-Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
E9 – Emerging technologies for Energy and Transport Applications
Scope
Emerging Technologies for Energy and Transportation will explore developments in materials science crucial for the advancement of energy systems and transportation technologies. Key topics include materials structure/property relationships, emerging materials and technologies, and innovations in sustainable and green transportation solutions. The event will also address materials designed for demanding transport applications and the role of computer-guided innovation in developing and optimizing these materials.
Description
The development of greener technologies in the face of a changing climate are posing increasingly demanding challenges on materials scientists and engineers to meet decarbonization goals set by governments. Chief among these challenges are the renewal of the transportation industry and the transformation of the energy generation landscape. In order to affect a long lasting and impactful change in these industries, new materials with unique combination of properties such as high electrical conductivity, high strength, high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, and low weight are sought out. Such new materials additionally demand novel processing approaches and sustainable practices to be compatible with a circular economy.
This symposium will explore design and fabrication of materials enabling innovation and emerging technologies in the transportation and energy applications with an emphasis on materials synthesis and processing, as well as materials integration and devices, computer-guided design of materials and devices, and materials sustainability.
Targeted topics
List of topics and subtopics
- High-Temperature Superconducting Materials.
- Advanced Composite Materials for Turbine Engines.
- Multifunctional Coatings for Energy and Transportation Applications.
- Dissimilar Materials Integration for Energy and Transportation Systems.
- Sustainable Materials, Circular Economy and Digitalization.
- Hybrid and Bioinspired Materials.
- Materials and New Processes for Environmental Remediation in the Energy and Transportation Industry.
- Future transport technologies: electrified, carbon-neutral, autonomous and smart.
- Security and control: Sensors, wearable devices, control systems.
- 3D-4D Printing Technologies: fundamentals, materials and challenges.
- Computational Design and Modelling.
- Materials for Quantum Computing.
- AI and Big data.
OrganizerS
Prof. Javier Narciso
University of Alicante (ES)
Prof. Mario Caccia
Montana TECH (US)
Prof. Alberto Ortona
SUPSI (Switzerland)
Dr. Nicoleta Lupu
National Institute of Research and Development for Technical Physics (RO)