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Selected Papers from the 4th International Online Conference on Materials...
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Selected Papers from the 4th International Online Conference on Materials (IOCM 2025)

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 5288

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ingo Dierking

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M139PL, UK
Interests: liquid crystals; chiral liquid crystals; liquid crystal-polymer composites; nanoparticle dispersions in anisotropic fluids; defects; defect dynamics and solitons; soft matter machine learning; phase ordering dynamics and fractal structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is related to "Selected Papers from the 4th International Online Conference on Materials (IOCM 2025)", which takes place virtually on November 3–5, 2025 (https://sciforum.net/event/IOCM2025).

This conference offers a platform for scholars, researchers and experts in the field of materials science to come together, exchange ideas, and showcase cutting-edge research. The conference will cover a wide range of topics in materials science, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Optical, Electric and Magnetic Materials and Their Characterization;
  • Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology and Quantum Materials;
  • Soft Matter, Biomaterials, Composites and Interfaces;
  • Materials Theory, Simulations and AI;
  • Materials for Energy Harvesting, Conversion and Storage;
  • Green Materials, Synthesis, Characterization and Recycling;
  • Materials Manufacturing, Processing and Applications.

Conference participants, as well as all the researchers working in the field, are invited to contribute original research papers or reviews to this Special Issue of Materials.

Dr. Ingo Dierking
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • optical, electric and magnetic materials
  • nanomaterials
  • quantum materials
  • soft matter
  • biomaterials
  • composites
  • interfaces
  • materials theory, simulations and AI
  • materials for energy harvesting, conversion and storage
  • green materials
  • materials manufacturing

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2515 KB  
Article
Impact of Surface Sealing on Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Conventional Dental Resin Composites
by Georgiana Osiceanu, Sebastian Ciurescu and Liliana Porojan
Materials 2025, 18(24), 5543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18245543 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 745
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether any coating material would have a beneficial influence on maintaining color stability and surface roughness and to what extent an uncoated resin composite can keep its original color. The study evaluated three direct composite [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether any coating material would have a beneficial influence on maintaining color stability and surface roughness and to what extent an uncoated resin composite can keep its original color. The study evaluated three direct composite resins (Gradia Direct Anterior A2, Tetric EvoCeram A2, Filtek Z550 A2) using 30 samples per material (1 mm thick, 14 × 10 × 1 mm). Samples were prepared in 3D-printed molds, light-cured for 40 s, and initially smoothed with abrasive paper (grit 400–2000). The surface treatments applied were as follows: group 1—polished with a brush and Compo + polishing paste, group 2—conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid, ScotchBond adhesive applied, light-cured. All samples were cleaned ultrasonically for 5 min. Initial surface roughness and color were measured with a profilometer and spectrophotometer. Samples were then immersed in distilled water (control at 37 °C), Coca-Cola and red wine (at 10 °C) with surface roughness and color changes measurements taken on days 1, 7, 14 and 90. Immersion media were refreshed weekly. The most notable color changes after immersion in coloring solutions were observed in the groups treated with Coca-Cola and red wine compared with the control group in distilled water. Tetric EvoCeram sealed and Gradia sealed maintained the greatest resistance to perceptible coloration over 90 days, while Filtek Z550 performed the poorest. Tetric EvoCeram sealed maintained the greatest color stability (ΔE < 3.5 at 90 days), whereas Filtek Z550 sealed showed early degradation. Roughness is often decreased by surface sealing. As immersion time rises, unsealed surfaces often become noticeably rougher than sealed ones. This study simulates the oral environment and the exposure of restorative materials to staining agents. As the loss of esthetic properties over time is a continuous problem, the clinical significance of this research lies in demonstrating how a restorative material could resist pigmentation, when in contact with well-known high staining beverages, in order to maintain its esthetic properties and remain suitable for long-term use in the oral cavity. Moreover, the hypothesis that a coating material would protect the resin composite surface and reduce discoloration and surface roughness was tested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Online Conference on Materials (IOCM 2025))
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Review

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50 pages, 1396 KB  
Review
Paraffin Coated with Diatomite as a Phase Change Material (PCM) in Heat Storage Systems—A Review of Research, Properties, and Applications
by Agnieszka Przybek, Maria Hebdowska-Krupa and Michał Łach
Materials 2025, 18(22), 5166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18225166 - 13 Nov 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Paraffin-based phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as promising candidates for thermal energy storage (TES) applications due to their high latent heat, chemical stability, and low cost. However, their inherently low thermal conductivity and the risk of leakage during melting–solidification cycles significantly limit [...] Read more.
Paraffin-based phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as promising candidates for thermal energy storage (TES) applications due to their high latent heat, chemical stability, and low cost. However, their inherently low thermal conductivity and the risk of leakage during melting–solidification cycles significantly limit their practical performance. To address these limitations, numerous studies have investigated composite PCMs in which paraffin is incorporated into porous supporting matrices. Among these, diatomite has garnered particular attention due to its high porosity, large specific surface area, and chemical compatibility with organic materials. Serving as both a carrier and stabilizing shell, diatomite effectively suppresses leakage and enhances thermal conductivity, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the PCM. This review synthesizes recent research on paraffin–diatomite composites, with a focus on impregnation methods, surface modification techniques, and the influence of synthesis parameters on thermal performance and cyclic stability. The mechanisms of heat and mass transport within the composite structure are examined, alongside comparative analyses of paraffin–diatomite systems and other inorganic or polymeric supports. Particular emphasis is placed on applications in energy-efficient buildings, passive heating and cooling, and hybrid thermal storage systems. The review concludes that paraffin–diatomite composites present a promising avenue for stable, efficient, and sustainable phase change materials (PCMs). However, challenges such as the optimization of pore structure, long-term durability, and large-scale manufacturing must be addressed to facilitate their broader implementation in next-generation energy storage technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Online Conference on Materials (IOCM 2025))
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