Soft Matter conferences

This meeting connects cellulose chemistry, physics, biology and engineering with sustainable biomass-derived materials. Research themes include nanocellulose applications, cellulose–biopolymer interactions, structural characterization, self-assembly and sustainable product development. The programme examines biosynthesis, molecular structure, circular design and routes from laboratory understanding to a circular bioeconomy. Talks, poster sessions and discussion focus on emerging and unpublished research. Applicants need a science or engineering bachelor’s degree or equivalent; undergraduates are not eligible. Places may fill before the application deadline.

The conference examines how liquid-crystalline order combines sensitivity to external conditions with tunable material behaviour. Biological sessions address morphogenesis and cell migration; materials sessions consider elastomers, soft actuators and damping. Ferroelectric nematics and developments in augmented and virtual reality connect fundamental discoveries with device applications. Theory, numerical modelling and experiments will bring physicists, chemists, biologists and engineers together to compare mechanisms across these areas. Attendance applications are reviewed and capacity may fill before the application deadline.

The conference connects classical soft-matter questions about deformation, flow and assembly with sensing, learning, adaptation and control. Complex fluids, liquid crystals, phase separation and soft-solid mechanics are considered alongside active and living matter in cells, tissues and organisms. Sessions examine exchanges with machine learning and hard condensed matter, biological design principles, and applications to sustainability and health. Research talks, posters and discussion bring together physics, chemistry, engineering and the life sciences. Attendance applications are reviewed and capacity may fill before the application deadline.