Announcements

Access the full interview to hear his insights in this conversation.

The conference is organized by the MDPI journal Optics (ISSN: 2673-3269, Impact Factor: 1.6) and chaired by Prof. Dr. Costantino De Angelis from the Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Italy and Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger from the Institut Fluid - und Thermodynamik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Siegen, Germany. It will take place virtually from 25 to 27 March 2026, Central European Time.

Latest schedule:
New abstract submission deadline: 16 January 2026;
New abstract acceptance notification date: 10 February 2026;
Registration deadline: 23 March 2026;
Conference date: 25–27 March 2026.

To register for the event, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCO2026?section=#registration.

Topics of interest:
S1. Biomedical Optics
Session Chairs:

• Dr. Giuseppe Trusso Sfrazzetto, Department of Chemical Science, University of Catania, Italy;
• Dr. Francesco Chiavaioli, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IFAC), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

S2. Optoelectronics and Optical Engineering
Session Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Yuriy Garbovskiy, Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, USA.

S3. Geometrical Optics
Session Chair:

• Dr. Davide Rocco, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Italy.

S4. Photonics and Optical Communications
Session Chair:

• Dr. Jiahao Huo, School of Computer and Communication Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, China.

S5. Laser Sciences and Technology
Session Chair:

• Dr. Guido Toci, National Institute of Optics, National Research Council of Italy, Italy.

S6. Quantum Optics
Session Chair: Dr. Andrea Salamon, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.

We look forward to welcoming you to this no-fee conference.

If you have already registered, we thank you.

Prof. Dr. Costantino De Angelis, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Italy;
Prof. Dr. Thomas Seeger, Institut Fluid - und Thermodynamik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Siegen, Germany

Conference Secretariat
ioco2026@mdpi.com

MDPI is delighted to announce the establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award. Named in honor of Professor Michele Parrinello, the award celebrates his exceptional contributions and his profound impact on the field of computational physical science research.

The award will be presented biennially to distinguished scientists who have made outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of computational physical science—spanning physics, chemistry, and materials science.

About Professor Michele Parrinello

"Do not be afraid of new things. I see it many times when we discuss a new thing that young people are scared to go against the mainstream a little bit, thinking what is going to happen to me and so on. Be confident that what you do is meaningful, and do not be afraid, do not listen too much to what other people have to say.”

——Professor Michele Parrinello

Born in Messina in 1945, he received his degree from the University of Bologna and is currently affiliated with the Italian Institute of Technology. Professor Parrinello is known for his many technical innovations in the field of atomistic simulations and for a wealth of interdisciplinary applications ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology. Together with Roberto Car, he introduced ab initio molecular dynamics, also known as the Car–Parrinello method, marking the beginning of a new era both in the area of electronic structure calculations and in molecular dynamics simulations. He is also known for the Parrinello–Rahman method, which allows crystalline phase transitions to be studied by molecular dynamics. More recently, he has introduced metadynamics for the study of rare events and the calculation of free energies.

For his work, he has been awarded many prizes and honorary degrees. He is a member of numerous academies and learned societies, including the German Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften, the British Royal Society, and the Italian Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, which is the major academy in his home country of Italy.

Award Committee

The award committee will be chaired by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, a computational condensed matter physicist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and professor at the Department of Physics, Fudan University. Professor Xin-Gao Gong will lead a panel of several senior experts in the field to oversee the evaluation and selection process. The Institute for Computational Physical Sciences at Fudan University (Shanghai, China), led by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, will serve as the supporting institute for the award.

"We hope the Michele Parrinello Award will recognize scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of computational condensed matter physics and at the same time set a benchmark for the younger generation, providing clear direction for their pursuit—this is precisely the original intention behind establishing the award."

——Professor Xin-Gao Gong

The first edition of the award was officially launched on 1 November 2025. Nominations will be accepted before the end of March 2026. For further details, please visit mparrinelloaward.org.

About the MDPI Sustainability Foundation and MDPI Awards

The Michele Parrinello Award is part of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing sustainable development through scientific progress and global collaboration. The foundation also oversees the World Sustainability Award, the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, and the Tu Youyou Award. The establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award will further enrich the existing award portfolio, providing continued and diversified financial support to outstanding professionals across various fields. 

In addition to these foundation-level awards, MDPI journals also recognize outstanding contributions through a range of honors, including Best Paper Awards, Outstanding Reviewer Awards, Young Investigator Awards, Travel Awards, Best PhD Thesis Awards, Editor of Distinction Awards, and others. These initiatives aim to recognize excellence across disciplines and career stages, contributing to the long-term vitality and sustainability of scientific research.

Find more information on awards here.

Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Tulliani is one of the authors of the newsletter paper entitled “Modified Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregates with a Crystallizing Agent as Standard Sand Replacement in Mortar” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Prof. Dr. Tulliani completed his PhD in materials engineering at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, in 1997. His main research interests are directed towards self-healing/self-sensing concrete, carbon dioxide sequestration by means of mineral carbonation or CO₂ adsorbents and innovative ceramic manufacturing through additive techniques. Currently, his main activities frame the study of the alkali activation of reservoir sludges to manufacture environmentally friendly building products and the addition of biochar to concrete to lower its carbon footprint.

Based on the positive evaluations by the reviewers and academic editors for Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Tulliani’s group article, we have selected their article as the newsletter for display on the Materials website.

“Modified Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregates with a Crystallizing Agent as Standard Sand Replacement in Mortar”
by Daniel Suarez-Riera, Luca Lavagna, Devid Falliano, Giuseppe Andrea Ferro, Matteo Pavese, Jean-Marc Tulliani and Luciana Restuccia
Materials 2025, 18(17), 4208. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174208

The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Tulliani:

1. Congratulations on your published paper! Could you please briefly introduce its main research content?
This study aimed to evaluate mortar performance by partially replacing standard sand with recycled fine aggregates derived from concrete waste in order to assess their mechanical properties and durability. In addition, the use of commercial crystallizing agents was investigated to evaluate their impact on mortar properties. While coarse recycled aggregates have already been treated with active substances that react with hydration products or unhydrated cement particles to fill pores and cracks, this approach has not, to the best of our knowledge, been applied to fine recycled aggregates. Therefore, the present work proposes a novel approach to enhance the environmental and mechanical performance of mortars containing varying contents of recycled fine aggregates pre-treated with crystallizing agents.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
In most cases, mortars incorporating recycled aggregates exhibited higher strength than those prepared with standard sand. The 25% and 50% replacement levels, in combination with the use of the crystallizing agent, were particularly effective, leading to strength gains of up to 15% compared with the reference mortar, without requiring superplasticizer dosages beyond conventional levels. Conversely, mortars produced with recycled sand treated with crystallizing agents demanded higher superplasticizer contents to achieve equivalent workability, which can potentially limit their practical interest. Overall, these results demonstrate that substantial replacement of natural sand with recycled concrete aggregates, enhanced through a simple treatment using commercially available products, can yield mechanical performance comparable to or superior to that of conventional mortars. This approach offers a viable and effective pathway for promoting resource efficiency and advancing circular economy practices in the construction sector.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
Yes, of course. The concept originated from previous works on self-healing concrete, where commercial crystallizing agents are already used in practice to seal cracks in damaged structures. Extending this proven technology to fine recycled aggregates, which are inherently more porous than natural aggregates, represents a logical and potentially impactful step toward improving their performance and industrial usability.

4. Does technological progress provide new opportunities for the topic you are researching? Does it bring any potential risks? How do you think these factors will affect future research trends on this topic?
Since 2015, we have been investigating the incorporation of biochar into cementitious materials with the aim of enhancing their mechanical properties while reducing their carbon footprint. Initial experimental works focused on laboratory-produced biochar derived from various feedstocks. However, the increasing availability of industrial-scale pyrolysis facilities and commercially produced biochar now enables the transition toward large-scale production. As all biochar are not equivalent for the targeted application, either from a physical or a chemical point of view, further investigations are still needed. Nevertheless, this development will pave the way for the industrial manufacturing of biochar-based concretes and their application in buildings and infrastructure.

5. What was it about the Materials journal that appealed to you which made you want to submit your paper? In your opinion, what can authors expect when they submit to Materials?
Materials was chosen as the publication outlet based on several institutional considerations. It is a well-established, peer-reviewed journal in materials science whose scope is fully aligned with the objectives of the present research, and which ensures wide dissemination within the scientific community. Furthermore, the journal offers an efficient editorial and peer-review process, enabling timely decisions and rapid communication of research outcomes. Finally, previous publication experience with Materials, starting in 2013 to be exact, has demonstrated a consistently high standard of editorial management, as well as strong accessibility and quality for the readership.

6. How do you think the open access way of publishing impacts authors?
Open access publishing has evolved from a marginal and sometimes mistrusted practice to a widely accepted model in academia. Despite remaining challenges such as article processing charges, it is generally viewed as a positive development that enhances the accessibility, visibility, and impact of research. Supported by funding institutions and associated with higher citation rates, open access is expected to continue expanding and to play a central role in scientific publishing across disciplines.

Ms. Olivia H. Margoto and Dr. Grant R. Bogyo are two of the authors of the newsletter paper “Towards a New Plastination Technique for Moisture Management of Western Red Cedar Without Loss of Strength and with Enhanced Stability” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Ms. Olivia Margoto is a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia, Canada, specializing in natural fiber-reinforced composites and sustainable materials. Her research explores multiple aspects of bio-based materials, including the plastination of cedar to enhance durability, mechanical performance, and long-term stability. Olivia has experience leading industry-focused projects on sustainable composites and natural fiber treatments. Currently, she is developing and characterizing natural and bio-based materials and applying data-driven AI techniques to improve the manufacturability of natural fiber-reinforced composites. Her work aims to expand the applications of sustainability in emerging, high-performance products.

Dr. Grant R. Bogyo, CEO of NetZero Enterprises Inc. (NZE), is an interdisciplinary inventor whose unconventional path, from studies in theology and psychology to frontline humanitarian work, shaped his human-centered approach to materials innovation. Partnering with NZE’s Ron Ryde, he drives advances in sustainable polymers, composite materials, and circular economy technologies. His patent-driven research bridges real-world needs with scientific precision in preserving natural materials using plastination (patent process CA3090874), positioning NZE at the forefront of materials science for environmental resilience and global impact.

Based on the positive evaluations by reviewers and academic editors of Ms. Olivia H. Margoto and Dr. Grant R. Bogyo’s group article, the article has been selected for inclusion in the journal's monthly newsletter.

“Towards a New Plastination Technique for Moisture Management of Western Red Cedar Without Loss of Strength and with Enhanced Stability”
by Olivia H. Margoto, Madisyn M. Szypula, Grant R. Bogyo, Victor Yang and Abbas S. Milani
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184353

The following is an interview with Ms. Olivia H. Margoto and Dr. Grant R. Bogyo:

1. Congratulations on the publication of your paper. Could you briefly introduce the main content of your paper?
In this paper, we investigated plastination as a novel technique for managing moisture in Western Red Cedar, a widely used construction wood that is inherently vulnerable to moisture absorption and biodegradation. Borrowing a technique originally developed for biological tissue preservation, the proposed approach combines acetone dehydration with vacuum-assisted impregnation using a silicone, followed by curing, to replace water within the wood microstructure with a hydrophobic polymer.
The study focused on evaluating both the effectiveness of SS-151 silicone impregnation and its impact on moisture resistance and mechanical performance. Micro X-ray Computed Tomography imaging was used to see how deeply the silicone penetrated the wood, while chemical analysis and water absorption tests examined changes in the wood’s composition and moisture resistance. Mechanical tests before and after moisture exposure assessed the wood’s strength and flexibility. Results showed successful silicone penetration, reduced water-attracting chemical groups, significantly lower moisture absorption, and preserved tensile strength with improved deformability.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
The key takeaway is the strong potential of plastination as a new strategy to protect natural materials such as bamboo and wood without sacrificing their mechanical performance. In this study, plastinated Western Red Cedar exhibited 59% lower moisture absorption compared to conditioned virgin samples, while retaining tensile strength and exhibiting improved deformability. These results highlight how plastination can significantly mitigate moisture-driven degradation, enabling the use of natural materials like wood in more demanding outdoor and structural applications.
More broadly, this work shows that bio-based materials can be engineered for enhanced durability through innovative and cost-effective approaches. As such, plastination emerges as a promising technique for sustainable construction, particularly in environments where moisture-related degradation has historically limited the use of natural fibers and softwood.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
The experience that led me to focus on natural fiber preservation occurred several years ago when I assisted a colleague in General Santos City, in the Philippines, with a drainage challenge. Conventional construction materials such as rebar were prohibitively expensive, while bamboo was abundant. When I asked why bamboo was not being used structurally, a local engineer explained that its susceptibility to mold, moisture, insects, and rot made it unsuitable.
This question stayed with me. Months later, while attending a conference in Las Vegas, I visited the Bodies Exhibition. Observing the plastinated anatomical specimens, I had a moment of clarity: the preservation principles used in plastination might offer a pathway to stabilizing natural fibers, including wood and bamboo, for engineering purposes. That insight ultimately led to the development of our patented plastination approach and the research now being published.

4. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations encountered in your current research?
Under the guidance of Dr. Abbas Milani at the University of British Columbia in Canada, and through the rigorous experimental work of doctoral candidate Ms. Olivia Margoto, our team identified a set of low-molecular-weight polymers that offered promising performance at significantly lower cost than traditional silicones used in classical plastination.
Key challenges included optimizing polymer selection, impregnation parameters, curing conditions, and processing time. Through systematic experimentation, the team achieved stable and repeatable results, decreasing the processing time by 38%. We are now evaluating next-generation polymers that may further enhance moisture resistance while maintaining or improving the mechanical strength of natural materials with microstructures even smaller than that of cedar wood.
Ms. Margoto’s contributions were essential—her experimental precision, data interpretation, and
ability to translate theoretical polymer behavior into practical laboratory outcomes were central
to the breakthroughs reported.

5. Does technological progress provide new opportunities for the topic you are researching? Does it bring any potential risks? How do you think these factors will affect future research trends on this topic?
Advances in artificial intelligence will increasingly support polymer discovery and theoretical modelling. AI can help identify promising polymer candidates by predicting molecular behavior, cost-performance relationships, and compatibility with botanical substrates.
However, botanical materials exhibit substantial natural variability—between species, between samples, and even within individual specimens. This limits the predictive power of computational models. Empirical testing, engineering judgment, and hands-on experimentation will remain indispensable components of the research process. Future progress will likely emerge from a hybrid approach that combines AI-assisted modelling with rigorous laboratory validation.

6. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
Sustainability is a global priority, and materials science plays a pivotal role in advancing it. My advice to young researchers is to balance digital tools with real-world engagement. Spend time observing natural materials, understanding their behavior in practical contexts, and solving tangible problems - then bring those insights back to the laboratory.
Experiences in developing regions can be especially transformative, offering perspectives that enrich both scientific inquiry and personal purpose. A purpose-driven approach often leads to solutions that are not only innovative but also sustainable and socially meaningful.

Conference: TMS 2026 Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Date: 15–19 March 2026
Location: San Diego, California, USA

The TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition brings together more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, business leaders, and other professionals in the minerals, metals, and materials fields for a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary exchange of technical knowledge.

MDPI will be attending the TMS 2026 Annual Meeting & Exhibition as an exhibitor, welcoming researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Materials;
• Metals;
• Molecules;
• Polymers;
• Ceramics;
• Corrosion and Materials Degradation;
• Construction Materials;
• Crystals;
• Fibers;
• Gels;
• Journal of Composites Science;
• Minerals;
• Physchem;
• Processes;
• Solids;
• Textiles;
• Coatings;
• Alloys;
• Applied Nano.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Xin-Gao Gong will serve as the Chair of the Michele Parrinello Award Committee.

Dr. Sheila Devasahayam is one of the authors of the newsletter paper entitled “Interpretable Machine Learning for Identifying Key Variables Influencing Gold Recovery and Grade” published in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944).

Author’s introduction:

I am Dr. Sheila Devasahayam, a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University’s Western Australian School of Mines, specialising in minerals, energy, and chemical engineering. I hold two PhDs—one in materials science from the University of Queensland, Australia, and another in metallurgical science from the University of Madras, India. My research spans high-performance materials, polymer science, mineral processing, sustainable technologies, and the application of machine learning in resource recovery.

With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, several books and book chapters, and a patent application, I have contributed extensively to both academic and industrial advancements. My work has involved collaborations with leading organisations such as NASA, JAERI, BHP Billiton, JSPL and Moly Cop, and I have secured significant research funding for projects in critical minerals, green chemistry, and decarbonisation.

I am an active editor and reviewer for international journals, and I have served as a guest editor for Special Issues on sustainability and advanced materials. My teaching experience covers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in metallurgy, chemical engineering, and environmental policy, and I have supervised PhD and master’s students on topics ranging from mineral processing to sustainable energy.

Recognised as a Stanford–Elsevier Global Top 2% Scientist in mining & metallurgy since 2021, I am committed to advancing sustainable practices in the resources sector and fostering interdisciplinary research and education.

“Interpretable Machine Learning for Identifying Key Variables Influencing Gold Recovery and Grade”
by Sheila Devasahayam
Materials 2025, 18(18), 4318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184318
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/18/18/4318

The following is an interview with Dr. Sheila Devasahayam:

1. Congratulations on your published paper. Could you please briefly introduce the main research content of the published paper?
My paper explores how interpretable machine learning can help us understand which factors really drive gold recovery and grade during flotation in mineral processing. Instead of just building a predictive model, I wanted to make the process more transparent and useful for engineers. Using a small but carefully designed dataset from Ballarat gold ore flotation, I applied Gradient Boosting and SHAP analysis to highlight the most influential variables. Power, head grade, and processing time consistently stood out, and we also uncovered interesting non-linear interactions. The main message is that interpretable ML can bridge the gap between complex modelling and practical process improvement—even when data is limited.

2. What are the key takeaways you hope readers will gain from your paper?
The main takeaway is that power, head grade, and processing time are critical for flotation performance. We also found that interactions between variables, like head grade and collector type, can significantly influence outcomes. By using interpretable ML, we can move beyond “black box” predictions and provide insights that help process engineers make more informed decisions. This approach is especially valuable in mineral processing, where large datasets are often hard to come by.

3. Was there a specific experience or event in your research career that led you to focus on your current field of research?
I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of mineral processing and the challenge of making it more efficient and sustainable. In industry, engineers often struggle with models that predict well but don’t explain why. That gap between prediction and understanding motivated me to explore interpretable machine learning, so that we can make decisions based on clear, transparent insights rather than just numbers.

4. Could you describe the difficulties and breakthrough innovations encountered in your current research?
One of the biggest challenges was working with a very small dataset, which is common in mineral processing because experiments are expensive and time-consuming. The breakthrough was showing that even with limited data, techniques like SHAP can reveal meaningful patterns and interactions. This opens the door for practical applications of AI in mineral processing without waiting for massive datasets.

5. Does technological progress provide new opportunities for the topic you are researching? Does it bring any potential risks? How do you think these factors will affect future research trends on this topic?
Technology is creating exciting opportunities—especially with explainable AI and real-time monitoring. These tools can help support process improvements and reduce energy use. But there are risks too. If we rely too heavily on models without validating them experimentally, we could make poor decisions. The future will be about combining AI with domain expertise to ensure insights are both accurate and actionable.

6. How do you evaluate research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to other young researchers?
The trend is clear: transparency and sustainability are becoming central in mineral processing research. My advice to young researchers is to embrace interdisciplinary approaches—combine data science with strong domain knowledge. Focus on solving real-world problems, and don’t be afraid to work with small datasets if that’s what the industry offers. Interpretable methods can still deliver big impact.

7. What appealed to you about the Materials journal that made you want to submit your paper? In your opinion, what can authors expect when they submit to Materials?
Materials stood out because of its strong reputation, rigorous peer review, and commitment to open access. It offers excellent visibility and a supportive editorial process, which is important when you want your work to reach both academics and industry professionals.

8. What is your experience publishing with Materials?
My experience was very positive. The reviewers provided constructive feedback that strengthened the paper, and the editorial team was responsive and professional. The promotion of the article through the newsletter was a great bonus—it helps the research reach a wider audience.

9. How do you think open access way of publishing impacts authors?
Open access is a game-changer. It makes research accessible to everyone—students, academics, and industry practitioners—without paywalls. This accelerates knowledge sharing and collaboration, and for authors, it means greater visibility and impact.

Conference: Nanomaterials 2026: Innovations and Future Perspectives
Date: 16–18 March 2026
Location: Barcelona, Spain

Nanomaterials 2026: Innovations and Future Perspectives will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 16 to 18 March 2026. This conference aims to bring together researchers, industry professionals, and experts from around the world to share the latest advancements, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations in the field of nanomaterials and other advanced, hybrid or smart materials.

Over the course of three days, the conference will explore a wide range of topics, including “Nanomedicine & Bionanotechnology”, “Nanomaterials for energy and catalysis”, “Nanophotonic, Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices”, “Computational Nanoscience”, and “Environmental Applications and Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology”, through keynote lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Our program is designed to provide an engaging platform for discussing cutting-edge research, emerging challenges, and future directions in the field.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Nanomaterials;
• Applied Nano;
• C;
• Coatings;
• JFB;
• Nanoenergy Advances;
• Nanomanufacturing;
• Materials;
• Micromachines.

Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at our booth and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following website: https://sciforum.net/event/Nanomaterials2026.