Welcome
Dear colleagues,
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the Emerging Materials Global Network Annual Meeting 2026, which will take place 26–27 October 2026 in Marrakech. Building on the momentum of previous editions, EMGN-26 continues the development of a global platform dedicated to advancing materials science and fostering international collaboration across academia, research institutions, and industry.
The EMGN initiative was established with a clear vision: to create an international forum where scientists and engineers working on emerging materials can exchange knowledge, present pioneering discoveries, and collaborate to address major scientific, technological, and environmental challenges. Today, materials science stands at the heart of many transformative technologies, from sustainable energy systems and advanced manufacturing to biomedical innovation, resilient infrastructure, and environmental remediation.
In this context, the EMGN Annual Meetings are built on the conviction that materials science is a pivotal force in achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The mission of EMGN is to translate cutting-edge materials research into tangible solutions capable of addressing some of the most pressing global challenges.
A Mission-Oriented Scientific Framework
To support this vision, EMGN-26 is structured around seven core Working Groups, forming the scientific backbone of the conference. This innovative framework is designed to create focused communities of practice, each addressing specific technological challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From the fundamental tools used to discover and understand materials, to the manufacturing technologies that enable their deployment, and finally to their societal and environmental impacts across their lifecycle, this structure ensures that every presentation, discussion, and collaboration contributes to a coordinated effort to advance global sustainability.
Participants are invited to engage with the Working Group that best aligns with their research interests and contribute to a collective journey that transforms laboratory innovation into real-world impact.
EMGN-26 Working Groups
The scientific program of EMGN-26 is organized around the following seven thematic pillars:
Working Group 1 : Characterization, Modeling & Data-Driven Materials Science
Dedicated to the fundamental methodologies that underpin modern materials discovery, this Working Group explores advanced experimental characterization, multiscale computational modeling, and emerging data-driven approaches such as artificial intelligence and materials informatics. By bridging physical experimentation with digital technologies, this area accelerates the rational design and discovery of next-generation materials.
Working Group 2 : Processing & Manufacturing Technologies
This Working Group focuses on the technologies that transform scientific discoveries into functional materials and components. Topics range from additive and digital manufacturing to advanced processing, surface engineering, and scalable production methods that enable industrial implementation of innovative materials.
Working Group 3 : Structural & Functional Materials
At the core of the materials science community, this group addresses the design, synthesis, and understanding of advanced materials, from high-performance structural alloys and ceramics to functional nanomaterials and low-dimensional systems such as graphene, MXenes, and transition-metal dichalcogenides.
Working Group 4 : Energy Materials & Technologies
This Working Group explores materials that enable the generation, storage, conversion, and management of energy. Research topics include batteries, supercapacitors, photovoltaics, hydrogen technologies, catalysis, and advanced materials for sustainable energy systems.
Working Group 5 : Biomaterials & Bio-Inspired Materials
Operating at the interface of materials science, biology, and medicine, this group focuses on the development of advanced materials for healthcare applications, including tissue engineering, smart biomaterials, bioelectronics, drug delivery systems, and bio-inspired material design.
Working Group 6 : Materials for Civil Engineering & Infrastructure
This Working Group addresses materials for the built environment, focusing on durable, sustainable, and intelligent construction materials. Topics include advanced cementitious systems, corrosion-resistant materials, smart infrastructure monitoring technologies, and sustainable construction solutions.
Working Group 7 : Water, Environmental & Circular Materials
Dedicated to environmental sustainability and circular economy strategies, this group explores materials and technologies for water purification, pollution control, carbon capture, waste valorization, and sustainable materials lifecycle management.
A Global Forum for Scientific Collaboration
EMGN-26 will bring together an international community of leading scientists, emerging researchers, and industry innovators. Through plenary lectures, keynote presentations, thematic sessions, and networking activities, the conference will provide an exceptional environment for scientific exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of new research partnerships.
Supporting early-career researchers remains a central mission of the EMGN network. The meeting offers young scientists a valuable opportunity to present their research, interact with internationally recognized experts, and become part of a growing global community dedicated to advancing materials science.
Publications and Scientific Impact
Selected contributions presented at EMGN-26 will be considered for publication in the conference proceedings by Springer Nature within the IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development, indexed in major scientific databases including Scopus and SCImago. In addition, selected papers may be invited for publication in Special Issues of international peer-reviewed journals.
Marrakech: A Gateway for Global Scientific Exchange
Hosting EMGN-26 in Marrakech reflects the conference’s commitment to strengthening scientific bridges across continents. As one of North Africa’s most historic and vibrant cities, Marrakech provides an inspiring setting at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean scientific communities.
Beyond the scientific program, the conference will feature networking opportunities and social activities designed to stimulate dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas in an engaging and culturally rich environment.
We warmly invite researchers, innovators, and students from around the world to join us in Marrakech in October 2026 and contribute to this collective effort to advance materials science for a more sustainable future.
We look forward to welcoming you to EMGN-26.
Yours sincerely,
The EMGN-26 Steering & Organizing Committees
