Applied Physics and Materials Science

Understanding the mechanical response of materials under different conditions is fundamental to engineering design. This track covers elasticity, plasticity, fatigue, creep, fracture mechanics, and deformation behavior in metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and emerging materials. It includes studies at micro- and nano-scales and under extreme environments such as high temperature or radiation. Both experimental investigations and modeling approaches are encouraged. The session will delve into strengthening mechanisms, damage tolerance, and lifetime prediction of materials, with applications in aerospace, automotive, biomedical implants, and infrastructure.

Ceramics are materials made from inorganic, non-metallic compounds—like clay, glass, or advanced ceramics—which are processed at high temperatures. They are typically hard, heat-resistant, and chemically stable. Examples include:

• Traditional ceramics, such as porcelain and bricks.

• Advanced technical ceramics, like silicon carbide (used in high-temperature engines), bioceramics (for bone implants), and piezoelectric ceramics (found in sensors and actuators).
  In this track, presentations will explore how to engineer ceramic materials with enhanced to

• Polymers are large molecules made of repeating units (monomers), forming plastic, rubber, and many bio-based materials. Depending on their chemistry, polymers can be flexible, lightweight, stretchy, or biodegradable. Common examples:

  • Plastics (like polyethylene, polystyrene).

  • Engineering polymers (such as nylon, polycarbonate).

This track explores the physics, design, and application of magnetic and superconducting materials. Topics include spintronics, magnetic nanostructures, magnetocaloric effects, high-temperature superconductors, and magnetic thin films. Emphasis is placed on emerging applications in quantum computing, medical imaging (MRI), magnetic storage, and green energy systems. The session aims to address the challenges in synthesis, stability, and integration of such materials while advancing the understanding of electron spin dynamics and magnetic ordering phenomena.

Crystallography remains a cornerstone in materials characterization, essential for understanding atomic and molecular structures. This track focuses on advanced X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, electron microscopy, and synchrotron-based techniques to analyze the internal arrangements of solids. Topics include defect analysis, phase identification, crystallographic texture, and in situ structural studies during material synthesis or deformation. Attendees will gain insight into recent developments in automated structure determination, 3D crystallography, and software tools enhancing data interpretation.

Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering combines the design and use of materials that interact with biological systems to improve or restore health, with engineering principles to create medical devices, therapies, and technologies—all in simple terms:

 Biomaterials are specially-designed materials—such as polymers, ceramics, metals, or natural substances—that can safely be used in or on the human body. Examples include the titanium used in artificial joints, flexible polymers in contact lenses, biodegradable scaffolds that help grow new tissue, and materials for heart stents or drug-delivery implants.

Biomedical Engineering applies engineering techniques (from mechanical, electrical, chemical, and materials engineering) to solve healthcare problems. It’s about designing and building medical technologies like MRI machines, prosthetic limbs, wearable monitors, artificial organs, and even advanced drug-delivery systems.

Thin films and surface engineering are critical in tailoring material performance in optics, electronics, and coatings. This track includes deposition techniques (e.g., ALD, CVD, PVD), surface modification (e.g., plasma treatment, ion implantation), and interface studies. Topics also include tribology, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and nanostructuring. The role of surfaces in catalysis, biomedical devices, and energy applications will be explored. Attendees will gain exposure to characterization methods such as AFM, XPS, and ellipsometry.

This track emphasizes the role of applied physics in shaping future technologies. Topics include quantum devices, terahertz systems, ultrafast optics, spintronics, photonic crystals, and wearable electronics. The session bridges fundamental discoveries with disruptive innovations, showcasing how physics enables next-gen solutions in computing, telecommunications, healthcare, and sustainability. It encourages interdisciplinary collaborations and real-world applications stemming from advanced physics research.

Energy materials play a vital role in the global transition to sustainable power. This track covers advanced materials for batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and thermoelectrics. Discussions include lithium-ion and solid-state battery innovations, electrode/electrolyte design, degradation mechanisms, and upscaling challenges. Contributions on hydrogen storage, photoelectrochemical systems, and energy harvesting materials are welcome. The goal is to highlight cutting-edge solutions addressing energy efficiency, density, and environmental impact.

This track focuses on the development of eco-friendly materials and circular economy strategies. Topics include bio-based polymers, recyclable composites, green synthesis methods, life cycle assessment, and carbon capture materials. The session encourages contributions that address waste reduction, energy efficiency, and environmental compatibility. Emphasis is placed on materials that meet the dual demand of performance and sustainability across industries like construction, packaging, electronics, and transportation.

Smart materials can sense and respond to environmental changes such as temperature, pressure, electric fields, or pH. This track explores shape-memory alloys, piezoelectrics, magnetostrictives, and electroactive polymers. Applications include soft robotics, aerospace actuators, adaptive optics, and wearable sensors. It also covers integration into intelligent systems powered by AI and IoT. Attendees will discuss challenges in stability, actuation mechanisms, energy harvesting, and multifunctionality.

This track delves into materials that manipulate light at micro- and nano-scales. Topics include photonic crystals, metamaterials, nonlinear optics, lasers, and waveguides. Advances in optical communication, quantum optics, solar cells, and display technologies are covered. The session welcomes theoretical, experimental, and simulation-based contributions that address light–matter interactions, optical device integration, and high-efficiency photonic components for data processing, sensing, and imaging.

Quantum materials exhibit exotic behaviors such as topological states, quantum entanglement, and superconductivity. This track focuses on materials design, synthesis, and characterization for quantum computing, quantum sensing, and next-generation electronics. Topics include topological insulators, Majorana fermions, 2D quantum systems, and quantum dots. Attendees will explore experimental breakthroughs, quantum coherence challenges, and materials-based platforms enabling scalable quantum technologies.

This foundational track explores the physical principles governing solids and complex systems. Topics include electron correlation, phonons, magnetism, superconductivity, and phase transitions. Both theoretical models and experimental observations are welcomed. The session covers bulk, low-dimensional, and disordered systems, highlighting interactions between structure and physical properties. It provides a platform for discussing emerging research on strongly correlated systems, novel quantum phases, and cross-disciplinary applications.

Nanotechnology continues to redefine possibilities in electronics, medicine, energy, and materials science. This track focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials including nanotubes, quantum dots, nanowires, and graphene. Topics include surface functionalization, toxicity studies, nanodevice fabrication, and self-assembly. The track encourages cross-disciplinary work in nano-enabled drug delivery, nanosensors, nanoelectronics, and advanced manufacturing. Presentations will highlight innovations that harness the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale.

These include cutting-edge substances such as:

• Nanomaterials: Materials made at the scale of atoms or molecules, which often exhibit very different electrical, optical, or mechanical behaviors compared to bulk materials.

• Smart Materials: These can respond to changes in their environment—like shape-memory alloys that return to a preset shape when heated, or ceramics that produce electricity under mechanical stress (piezoelectrics).

• High-performance Polymers and Ceramics: These are tailored for extreme environments, offering high conductivity, strong temperature resistance, or mechanical strength.