Innovations in Materials Science and Materials Processing

Technological innovation is rooted in advances in materials science—from fundamental discoveries to scalable processing and real-world implementation. This section highlights research that explicitly connects scientific insights with materials design, manufacturing, and end-use applications to address global challenges in sustainability, energy, and advanced technologies.

We invite contributions that demonstrate clear technological relevance or application potential, including:

1. Materials Innovation and Design
   • Structure–property relationships: Including control of particle size distribution, morphology, and surface characteristics in phase techniques.
   • Interfacial phenomena: Surface properties, interfacial fluid mechanics, and multiphase interactions.
   • Synthesis science: Mechanisms, reaction pathways, kinetics, and parameters governing material synthesis.
   • Computational and AI-driven discovery: Modeling of material systems for predictive design.
   • Functional materials: Electronic, optical, magnetic, and smart responsive materials.
   • Biomaterials: Design for medical implants, tissue engineering, and biointerfaces.
   • Sustainable materials: Green chemistry approaches and lifecycle-aware development.

2. Advanced Processing and Manufacturing
• Solid-phase processing: Powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing (3D printing).
• Two-phase processing: Spray-forming, rheocasting and disintegrated melt deposition.
• Liquid-phase techniques: Casting, die casting, and liquid forging.
• Friction stir processing: Alloy development, composite fabrication, joining.
• Energy-efficient processing: Microwave sintering, spark plasma sintering.
• Secondary processing: Rolling, forging, extrusion for property enhancement.
• Surface engineering: Functional coatings and thin-film technologies.

3. Advanced Characterization Techniques:
• In situ and operando techniques to probe material behavior.
• Microstructure analysis: SEM and TEM: High-resolution imaging of materials. EBSD, AFM.
• Phase and composition: XRD: Identifies material phases. EDS/WDS: Shows elemental distribution. XPS: Analyzes surface chemistry.
• Mechanical and functional testing: Nanoindentation, in situ testing, DMA.
• Spectroscopy and imaging: Raman, FTIR, confocal microscopy.
• Real-time analysis: High-T/P XRD/SEM, synchrotron imaging, environmental TEM.

4. Engineering Applications and Performance
• Energy systems: Batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaics, and thermoelectrics.
• Lightweight materials for aerospace and automotive, rail, maritime, electronics and defense.
• Smart materials and responsive systems.
• Harsh-environment materials: High-temperature, corrosion-, and radiation-resistant systems.
• Material recycling and sustainability: Recycling, degradability, and sustainable end-use strategies.