3rdWMC/9thWMS/IUMRS-ICA2025| International Conference

Although known for many years, organic-inorganic perovskites and related hybrid semiconductors are receiving extraordinary recent attention because of the associated unique characteristics of these systems, which include a broad range of facile and low-temperature film and crystal processing approaches. Unlike traditional inorganic semiconductors (e.g., silicon or GaAs), hybrid systems offer the opportunity to combine inorganic (e.g., desirable semiconducting, spin-related, and/or stability characteristics) and organic (e.g., chemical tunability/versatility, chirality, luminescence, and mechanical flexibility) functionality within a single molecular-scale composite. This talk will provide a historical perspective for this materials class, integrated with a discussion of several contemporary examples of combining functionality to unlock unprecedented property tunability—e.g., versatile self-assembling organic-inorganic quantum-well structures, hydrogen-bonding mediated chiral transfer for control over spin-related properties, and materials design for melt processing and glass-crystalline transitions (e.g., phase-change materials). Outstanding functionality and versatile processing form two pillars for structure-property control and prospective future photovoltaic, light-emission, photodetection, next-generation computing, and spintronic applications within this rapidly evolving materials family.

Jian-Feng Nie

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Vic. 3800, Australia

Topic: Solute Clusters and Segregation Revealed by STEM

Solute clustering, precipitation, and solute segregation are common phenomena in light alloys of magnesium,aluminium,andtitanium,andtheyplaycriticalrolesinmicrostructureevolution and deformation behaviour. Solute clusters can exert a much stronger strengthening effect than individual solute atoms, significantly influencing plastic deformation, while also acting as nucleation sites for precipitates. Similarly, solute segregation can modify the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of interfaces. Despite their importance, these processes remain incompletely understood at the atomistic level, largely due to the historical lack of direct experimental evidence of solute distributions within clusters, nanoscale precipitates, and segregated boundaries. As a result, the roles of microalloying elements in microstructure evolution have often been speculative. Recent advances in aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) now allow atomic-scale detection of segregated solute atoms and clusters. When combined with atomic-scale computations, these techniques provide powerful insights into precipitate formation mechanisms. This talk will present an overview of our recent studies using STEM imaging and mapping to probe solute clustering, precipitation, and segregation in selected magnesium, aluminium, and titanium alloys.

Congmin LYU

Chief designer of the space utilization system of the China Manned Space Program

Topic: Development and prospects of materials science research and application of the China Space Station

The presentation provides an overview of the developments and trends in international microgravity materials science research. It comprehensively outlines the material science research facilities of China Space Station (CSS) and major project advancements in this field to date. It introduces the roadmap and strategic priorities of materials science research onboard CSS and highlights the material mechanisms research and their application. Furthermore, CSS serves as a platform for global cooperation. The presentation provides a detailed introduction to cooperation policies, mechanisms, implementation strategies, and emerging opportunities for international collaboration.

Sanjay Mathur

Director, Institute of Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
University of Cologne, Greinstrasse 6, D-50939 Cologne, Germany

Topic: Catalysts of Change: Advanced Nanomaterials Steering Health and Energy Transition

Advanced materials are driving innovation across all fields of technology, ranging from construction and mechanical engineering, automotive and electromobility, to medical technology, energy storage and conversion technologies, and microelectronics. Given their technological impact, functional materials represent an essential segment of industrial technologies with significant value creation potential for both established markets and emerging technologies. Especially in the context of sustainable production techniques, substitution of critical raw materials, and energy- and resource-efficient manufacturing, tailored surfaces and interfaces are gaining increasing importance in the future. In this context, chemical processing of nanostructured ceramics is used to tune the functional and interfacial properties for better charge transport, higher corrosion protection, and enhanced performance. The examples will include the role of functionalized inorganic surfaces in electrolysers for hydrogen production, and advances in photon-harvesting technologies for perovskite-based photovoltaics. Moreover, chemically functionalized SiO₂ nanoparticles acting as efficient drug-carriers to transport higher amounts of therapeutic payloads to diseased sites will be presented. Hollow nanocarriers can reduce undesired off-site effects and enable theranostic and thera-regenerative approaches. This talk will emphasize the power of chemical synthesis in designing new materials for energy and health transitions.

This talk will discuss the potential benefits of engineered nanomaterials towards energy conversion processes and recent developments in precision drug delivery approaches.