Science popularization contest

In the 2nd edition of the B-MRS Science Popularization Award, 19 videos qualified for the second stage and have been posted as Reels on the B-MRS Instagram page. The videos receiving the most likes will be evaluated by the award committee. The top three entries will receive cash prizes from the startup Arqueatec. The contest challenges B-MRS Meeting participants to create videos about their research for a non-specialist audience. Watch the videos and like your favorites.

Papers by the community

Based on materials such as electronic polymers, organic photovoltaic devices show promise for building-integrated urban applications due to their flexibility, lightweight nature, and semi-transparency. Furthermore, they can be manufactured using processes that are more sustainable and cost-effective than conventional ones. However, these devices are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, solar irradiance, and humidity, as well as exposure to oxygen—factors that can affect their electrical properties and lifespan. In a study conducted by scientists from Brazilian universities UFPR and UFRJ, over 50 square meters of commercially available organic photovoltaic panels were installed on the glass windows and aluminum roof of the UFPR Exact Sciences building. The system was connected to the campus electrical grid. Panel performance was monitored over 22 months through electrical measurements complemented by chemical analyses of the device surfaces. Additionally, theoretical models were applied to analyze the data. Research results revealed a decline in panel performance over time, linked to material degradation. The study provides valuable insights for optimizing these devices for building-integrated use in regions with subtropical climates. Go to the paper.

Researchers from UNESP led a study advancing the development of catalysts capable of enabling carbon hydrogenation. This process allows for the production of methane by adding hydrogen to carbon dioxide. Consequently, it is possible to utilize carbon dioxide—which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere—to produce a compound widely used as both a fuel and a raw material. Furthermore, the use of green hydrogen renders the process even more sustainable. In this study, the authors examined in detail the behavior of catalysts composed of nickel—an abundant metallic element—and a ceria support, a type of ceramic material. In these catalysts, the interaction between the substrate and the nickel significantly impacts performance. Through spectroscopy experiments conducted at synchrotron light facilities in France and Brazil, the team was able to observe, in real-time, the changes the catalysts underwent during the conversion of carbon dioxide into methane. The study demonstrated how the catalyst preparation method influences both structure and performance. Go to the paper.

One of the challenges to be overcome in expanding the use of hydrogen as a clean fuel is the ability to store it efficiently and safely. In an article featured on the cover of the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, researchers from UFRGS and their collaborators presented a nanostructure capable of acting as a hydrogen reservoir and elucidated its storage mechanism at the atomic level. The team produced a mixture of nanofoams and palladium-platinum nanoparticles—a metal combination known for its strong interaction with hydrogen—featuring a platinum-rich core and a palladium-rich shell. The nanostructure was studied in detail, utilizing facilities such as Sirius (the Brazilian synchrotron light source). Through this process, the scientists observed two seemingly contradictory phenomena. On one hand, the amount of stored hydrogen increased in proportion to the amount of palladium used in the shell. On the other hand, the hydrogen was adsorbed onto the platinum core rather than the palladium surface. The mystery was resolved when they discovered that palladium played a crucial role in the diffusion of hydrogen throughout the nanostructure. These results pave the way for the development of more efficient hydrogen storage systems. Go to the paper.

XXIV B-MRS Meeting
Curitiba (state of Paraná), September 27th to October 1st, 2026

Registration. Payment of the registration fee for the XXIV B-MRS Meeting can be made at the “early registration” rate until August 11. Please check the rates by category and the special discounts for active B-MRS members, here.

Program. Program at a glance is available, here.

Short courses. This edition of the event features 10 exclusive short courses for participants at no additional cost. The short courses will be held on September 27 (Sunday) at the convention center. Each registered participant may sign up for one (1) short course—subject to availability—by accessing the event system and clicking on the “Add/Edit Activities” tab. See the list of short courses.

Accommodation. We have provided a list with some hotel options in Curitiba, here.

Venue. The event will be held at the Cruzeiro do Sul Conecta Convention Center (formerly UP Experience), located on the Positivo University campus in Curitiba. Address: Rua Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza, 5300.

Plenary lectures. See the names of the renowned scientists from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and the United States who will deliver plenary lectures at the event, here.

Chairs. The chairs of this edition are Prof. Gregório Couto Faria (IFSC-USP) and Prof. Paula Cristina Rodrigues (UTFPR).

FAQ. If you have questions about the event, please consult the frequently asked questions or write to 24encontro@sbpmat.org.br.

ATTENTION: The XXIV B-MRS Meeting does NOT have an authorized travel agency. Protect yourself against scams and fraud.

Opportunities

– Postdoctoral opportunities (12 fellowships of 36 months each) for the FutureChips program at Tampere University (Finland) for researchers from all countries holding a PhD in fields related to photonics, advanced materials, future electronics, and chip design. Application by August 31. Learn more.

If you wish to publicize opportunities in the materials area, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

Upcoming events

– International Trade Fair and Congress on Advanced Materials FEIPLAR & FEIPUR 2026. São Paulo (Brazil). August 5 – 27, 2026. Site.

– 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering (PSE). Erfurt (Germany). August 31 – September 3, 2026. Site.

– UK Symposium on Materials for Sustainability 2026 (UK-SMS 2026). Keele (UK). September 14 – 15, 2026. Site.

– XXIV B-MRS Meeting. Curitiba (Brazil). September 27 – October 1st, 2026. Site.

– 12th International Workshop on High Resolution Depth Profiling. Bento Gonçalves (Brazil). October 5 – 9, 2026. Site.

– XIII Latin American Workshop on Magnetism, Magnetic Materials and their Applications (XIII LAW3M). Natal (Brazil). October 19 – 23, 2026. Site.

– 26º Congresso Brasileiro de Engenharia e Ciência dos Materiais (CBECIMAT 26). Florianópolis (Brazil). November 22 – 26, 2026. Site.

– 13th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS 2026). Nairobi (Kenya). December 5 – 10, 2026. Site.

– XXV B-MRS Meeting. Fortaleza (Brazil). September 12 – 16, 2027.

If you wish to publicize materials science events, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

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B-MRS Anniversary

On June 26th, we celebrated 25-year history of B-MRS.

A history written by researchers, students, and partners who have made our society a space for collaboration, innovation, friendship, and commitment to scientific knowledge.

Congratulations to us all!

Papers by the community

An international study led by researchers from UFRN provides guidelines for evaluating the efficiency of magnetic hyperthermia processes. This phenomenon is being studied as a means to combat tumors by heating diseased tissue within the body, and is also used in fundamental research into magnetic and thermal phenomena at the nanoscale, among other applications. In all these contexts, determining the heating efficiency generated by different nanoparticle systems under various conditions is crucial. Currently, the primary metric for quantifying this efficiency is Specific Loss Power (SLP). At the microscopic level, SLP is assessed using theoretical models of magnetic energy dissipation, whereas at the macroscopic level, the assessment relies on experimental measurements of the heat involved in the process. In this new study, the authors investigated the relationship between these two approaches and concluded that they should not be viewed as competing, but rather as complementary, in the description of magnetic hyperthermia. The study involved researchers from the UFRN Magnetism Group and collaborators from UERN, UFRJ, UFSC, CBPF, the University of Minho (Portugal), the University of Santiago de Chile, and Transilvania University of Brașov (Romania). Go to the paper.

Research conducted by institutions in the state of Amazonas offers a contribution to the electronics industry, tailored to the specific context of the Manaus Industrial Pole. The authors evaluated the use of graphene nanosheets to enhance the performance of metal alloys used for soldering microelectronic components. Historically, these materials contained significant amounts of lead—an element toxic to both human health and the environment. However, about two decades ago, the industry began adopting lead-free alloys on a large scale, driven by a European Union directive restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This shift has generated various developments in order to optimize the performance and durability of these new materials within real production processes. In this study, the authors assessed the impact of adding small amounts of graphene to tin-bismuth solder alloys. They demonstrated that, after undergoing the heating and cooling cycles standard in such manufacturing processes, the resulting material exhibited positive changes in its microstructure and surface characteristics. The project was carried out through a partnership between the State University of Amazonas and the Conecthus Institute. Go to the paper.

Researchers from UFPI, UFRPE, and the University of Seville (Spain) have developed a material capable of efficiently performing two important functions: eliminating pharmaceutical residues from bodies of water and combating bacteria. The authors utilized zinc oxide—a low-cost, durable semiconductor—and modified its properties. To achieve this, they controlled the pH during the material’s synthesis and introduced trace amounts of holmium, a rare-earth metal. This allowed them to precisely tune the semiconductor’s structure and, crucially, its defects. Indeed, some of these defects act as active sites for both the photocatalytic processes responsible for drug degradation and the interactions that combat bacteria. The team tested the material’s performance in degrading metronidazole, a widely used antibiotic and antiprotozoal drug. In these tests, holmium-doped zinc oxide synthesized at pH 12 yielded the best results, eliminating over 84% of the substance. The sample produced at pH 12 also performed best in antibacterial assays, inhibiting the growth of 100% of the bacteria. The study demonstrated that pH control is an effective strategy for enhancing the material’s performance as both a photocatalyst and an antimicrobial agent. Go to the paper.

XXIV B-MRS Meeting
Curitiba (state of Paraná), September 27 to October 1st, 2026

Program. Program at a glance is available, here.

Short Courses. This edition of the event features 10 exclusive short courses for participants at no additional cost. The short courses will be held on September 27 (Sunday) at the convention center. Each registered participant may sign up for one (1) short course—subject to availability—by accessing the event system and clicking on the “Add/Edit Activities” tab. See the list of short courses.

Registration. Payment of the registration fee for the XXIV B-MRS Meeting can be made at the “early registration” rate until August 11. Please check the rates by category and the special discounts for active B-MRS members, here.

Student Awards. The best oral and poster presentations given by undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized with awards from B-MRS (Bernhard Gross), ACS Publications, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. To be eligible for the awards, an extended abstract must be submitted by July 10th. Learn more.

Early-career Woman Award. Sponsored by MDPI’s Electronic Materials journal, this award will recognize a young female researcher who presents outstanding contribution in an oral session. To participate, scientists must submit an extended abstract by July 10th. Learn more.

Accommodation. We have provided a list with some hotel options in Curitiba, here.

Venue. The event will be held at the Cruzeiro do Sul Conecta Convention Center (formerly UP Experience), located on the Positivo University campus in Curitiba. Address: Rua Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza, 5300.

Plenary Lectures. See the names of the renowned scientists from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and the United States who will deliver plenary lectures at the event, here.

Chairs. The chairs of this edition are Prof. Gregório Couto Faria (IFSC-USP) and Prof. Paula Cristina Rodrigues (UTFPR).

FAQ. If you have questions about the event, please consult the frequently asked questions or write to 24encontro@sbpmat.org.br.

ATTENTION: The XXIV B-MRS Meeting does NOT have an authorized travel agency. Protect yourself against scams and fraud.

Opportunities

– Postdoctoral fellowship at IFGW-Unicamp (Campinas, Brazil) in Transmission Electronic Microscopy and nanoparticles. Application by July 30. Learn more.

– Postdoctoral opportunities (12 fellowships of 36 months each) for the FutureChips program at Tampere University (Finland) for researchers from all countries holding a PhD in fields related to photonics, advanced materials, future electronics, and chip design. Application by August 31. Learn more.

If you wish to publicize opportunities in the materials area, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

Upcoming events

– CINE Talk: “Data-Driven Performance Analysis and Optimization of an Electrolyzer System”. Online. July 3, 2026. Site.

– 25th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS-25). Seoul (South Korea). July 12 to 17, 2026. Site.

– International Conference on Science and Technology of Synthetic Electronic Materials (ICSM). Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). July 19 to 24, 2026. Site.

– International Trade Fair and Congress on Advanced Materials FEIPLAR & FEIPUR 2026. São Paulo (Brazil). August 5 to 27, 2026. Site.

– 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering (PSE). Erfurt (Germany). August 31 to September 3, 2026. Site.

– XXIV B-MRS Meeting. Curitiba (Brazil). September 27 to October 1st, 2026. Site.

– 12th International Workshop on High Resolution Depth Profiling. Bento Gonçalves (Brazil). October 5 to 9, 2026. Site.

– 13th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS 2026). Nairobi (Kenya). December 5 to 10, 2026. Site.

– XXV B-MRS Meeting. Fortaleza (Brazil). September 12 to 16, 2027.

If you wish to publicize materials science events, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

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Papers by the community

Researchers from the federal Brazilian universities UFRN and UFPB have just presented a new and promising catalyst for electrolysis – the process that splits the water molecule and can be used to produce green hydrogen. The material developed by the Brazilian team makes the most challenging stage of the process viable, the so-called “oxygen evolution reaction” (OER), allowing it to occur in less time and with less energy consumption. Formed by titanium niobate nanoparticles, the new catalyst is based on two elements abundant in Brazil: niobium, of which our country has the largest reserve in the world, and titanium. To optimize the material’s performance as an OER catalyst, the authors of the research carried out defect engineering work. To do this, they heated groups of nanoparticles to 950 ºC over different time intervals and tested the performance of each group. The sample calcined for 2 hours achieved the best performance in OER. Go to the paper.

A team of scientists from the Brazilian federal universities UFPE and UFV, along with a researcher from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, have made an important contribution to the development of orbitronics. Orbitronics is a new area of ​​knowledge that seeks to use a quantum property related to how electrons orbit atomic nuclei (the orbital angular momentum) in order to develop information transport and storage technologies. In the new study, the authors conducted a series of experiments with metallic and semiconductor materials that demonstrated the generation and detection of orbital current. The results provide a basis for the development of devices that use orbital angular momentum as an efficient and versatile information carrier. Go to the paper.

Superconducting materials hold promise for sustainable technologies with applications in sectors such as transportation, energy, health, and computing. In this review, a scientific team from the Brazilian universities UNESP and UFSCar, and institutions in Germany and Russia, used bibliometric tools to study the relationship between superconductivity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The authors analyzed 33,756 articles on superconductors and their applications published between 1980 and 2025, focusing on the period of SDG implementation (from 2015 onwards). The analysis revealed that superconductivity research is still poorly represented in databases that classify scientific production according to the SDGs, such as the Web of Science. The results indicate that this low visibility is largely associated with the fact that the authors themselves do not usually use keywords or terms that link the field to the global effort towards a more sustainable society. Go to the paper.

XXIV B-MRS Meeting
Curitiba (state of Paraná), September 27 to October 1st, 2026

Record number of submissions. For the first time, the B-MRS Meeting surpassed 3,000 submitted abstracts!

Important upcoming dates. Authors who need to modify their abstracts may submit the corrected versions until June 12th and will receive final approval notification on June 26th.

Program. Program at a glance is available, here.

Registration. The registration fee can now be paid with an early registration discount. See the prices by category and the special rates for active B-MRS members, here.

Student Awards. The best oral and poster presentations given by undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized with awards from B-MRS (Bernhard Gross), ACS Publications, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. To be eligible for the awards, an extended abstract must be submitted by July 10th. Learn more.

Early-career Woman Award. Sponsored by MDPI’s Electronic Materials journal, this award will recognize a young female researcher who presents outstanding contribution in an oral session. To participate, scientists must submit an extended abstract by July 10th. Learn more.

Science Popularization Award. This contest challenges event participants to produce a short video for a general audience about their research. The award is sponsored by the startup Arqueatec. Participants must submit their videos by June 30th. Learn more.

Accommodation. We have provided a list with some hotel options in Curitiba, here.

Venue. The event will be held at the Cruzeiro do Sul Conecta Convention Center (formerly UP Experience), located on the Positivo University campus in Curitiba. Address: Rua Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza, 5300.

Plenary lectures. See the names of the renowned scientists from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and the United States who will deliver plenary lectures at the event, here.

Chairs. The chairs of this edition are Prof. Gregório Couto Faria (IFSC-USP) and Prof. Paula Cristina Rodrigues (UTFPR).

FAQ. If you have questions about the event, please consult the frequently asked questions or write to 24encontro@sbpmat.org.br.

ATTENTION: The XXIV B-MRS Meeting does NOT have an authorized travel agency. Protect yourself against scams and fraud.

Opportunities

– Postdoctoral opportunities (12 fellowships of 36 months each) for the FutureChips program at Tampere University (Finland) for researchers from all countries holding a PhD in fields related to photonics, advanced materials, future electronics, and chip design. Learn more.

If you wish to publicize opportunities in the materials area, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

Upcoming events

– 25th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS-25). Seoul (South Korea). July 12 to 17, 2026. Site.

– International Conference on Science and Technology of Synthetic Electronic Materials (ICSM). Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). July 19 to 24, 2026. Site.

– Feira e Congresso Internacionais de Materiais Avançados FEIPLAR & FEIPUR 2026. São Paulo (Brazil). August 5 to 27, 2026. Site.

– 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering (PSE). Erfurt (Germany). August 31 September 3, 2026. Site.

– XXIV B-MRS Meeting. Curitiba (Brazil). September 27 to October 1st, 2026. Site.

– 12th International Workshop on High Resolution Depth Profiling. Bento Gonçalves (Brazil). October 5 to 9, 2026. Site.

– 13th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS 2026). Nairobi (Kenya). December 5 to 10, 2026. Site.

– XXV B-MRS Meeting. Fortaleza (Brazil). September 12 to 16, 2027.

If you wish to publicize materials science events, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

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Papers by the community

Considering that 99% of the world’s population is exposed to air quality exceeding recommended pollution limits, air pollution sensors are extremely relevant. However, their use is still limited, mainly because current devices lack sufficient selectivity to quantify specific pollutants in real-world environments, which contain hundreds of interferences. In a recently published review article, researchers from UNESP (Brazil) and ETH (Switzerland) present a systematic comparison of the performance of various air pollution sensor technologies in relation to current air quality guidelines. The study covers sensors based on materials such as metal oxide heterostructures, MOFs, MXenes, and conductive polymers. The article can help develop more efficient and sustainable sensors, as well as their integration into everyday devices and systems, from wearable electronics to smart homes. Go to the paper.

A scientific team led by researchers from Brazilian universities USP and UNESP has shown which heat treatment generates the best properties in Mar18Ni maraging steel. This alloy presents a rare combination of mechanical strength and toughness and has been used to produce parts with complex geometries through additive manufacturing techniques. After processing, heat treatments are performed to adjust some properties. In this work, the authors systematically analyzed the impact of eight post-processing routes on the microstructure and properties of the alloy. They concluded that aging at 480 °C increases the material’s strength, while treatments at 610–670 °C improve its ductility. Furthermore, the scientists showed that the combination of these routes results in an intermediate behavior, offering a balanced combination of strength and ductility. In addition to researchers from Brazil, authors from the United States (Ohio State University) and Germany (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and Max-Planck-Institut) participated in the work. Go to the paper.

An international collaborative project coordinated by researchers at the Brazilian university UFSC has yielded fundamental advances in understanding a phenomenon that makes OLEDs more efficient. In these devices, widely used in cell phone screens and high-quality TVs, organic materials emit light when they receive electricity. When these organic materials exhibit the phenomenon of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), they are able to convert 100% of the injected energy into light emission, making OLED devices more efficient. Typically, the materials used in OLEDs are organic molecules formed by an electron donor and an electron acceptor part, joined together by conjugation, which can be of the “para” or “meta” type. In this new work, the authors used experimental and theoretical methods to investigate the impact of “para” and “meta” conjugations on the TADF phenomenon. They discovered that the delayed emission properties change drastically with these modifications in the molecule’s structure. Go to the paper.

XXIV B-MRS Meeting
Curitiba (PR), September 27 to October 1st, 2026

Record number of submissions. For the first time, the B-MRS Meeting surpassed 3,000 submitted abstracts!

Important upcoming dates. On May 29th, authors will receive notifications regarding the evaluation of their abstracts. Those who need to modify their abstracts may submit the corrected versions until June 12th and will receive final approval notification on June 26th.

Student Awards. The best oral and poster presentations given by undergraduate and graduate students will be recognized with awards from B-MRS (Bernhard Gross), ACS Publications, and the Royal Society of Chemistry. To be eligible for the awards, an extended abstract must be submitted by July 10th. Learn more.

Early-career Woman Award. Sponsored by MDPI’s Electronic Materials journal, this award will recognize a young female researcher who presents outstanding contribution in an oral session. To participate, scientists must submit an extended abstract by July 10th. Learn more.

Science Popularization Award. This contest challenges event participants to produce a short video for a general audience about their research. The award is sponsored by the startup Arqueatec. Participants must submit their videos by June 30th. Saiba mais.

Accommodation. We have provided a list with some hotel options in Curitiba, here.

Venue. The event will be held at the Cruzeiro do Sul Conecta Convention Center (formerly UP Experience), in the city of Curitiba, capital of the state of Paraná. Address: Rua Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza, 5300.

Plenary lectures. See the names of the renowned scientists from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and the United States who will deliver plenary lectures at the event, here.

Registration. The registration fee can now be paid with an early registration discount. See the prices by category and the important discounts for active B-MRS members, here.

Chairs. The chairs of this edition are Prof. Gregório Couto Faria (IFSC-USP) and Prof. Paula Cristina Rodrigues (UTFPR).

FAQ. If you have questions about the event, please consult the frequently asked questions or write to 24encontro@sbpmat.org.br.

ATTENTION: The XXIV B-MRS Meeting does NOT have an authorized travel agency. Protect yourself against scams and fraud.

Opportunities

– Postdoctoral research in materials for carbon dioxide separation/capture at IPEN, with a FAPESP scholarship. Applications accepted until May 15th. Learn more.

– Postdoctoral opportunities (12 fellowships of 36 months each) for the FutureChips program at Tampere University (Finland) for researchers from all countries holding a PhD in fields related to photonics, advanced materials, future electronics, and chip design. Learn more.

– PhD opportunity at Keele University (England) in interfaces and electrolytes for solid-state batteries. Applications until May 29th. Learn more.

If you wish to publicize opportunities in the materials area, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

Upcoming events

– Workshop on i-Caloric Effects (WiCE). Online. May 5 – 6, 2026. Site.

– The 4th Global Conference of Innovation Materials & MRS-K Spring Meeting (GCIM2026). Jeju (South Korea). May 31 – June 4, 2026. Site.

– 7th International Conference on Applied Surface Science. Chengdu (China). June 1 – 4, 2026. Site.

– 25th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS-25). Seoul (South Korea). July 12 – 17, 2026. Site.

– International Conference on Science and Technology of Synthetic Electronic Materials (ICSM). Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). July 19 – 24, 2026. Site.

– 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering (PSE). Erfurt (Germany). August 31 – September 3, 2026. Site.

– XXIV B-MRS Meeting. Curitiba (Brazil). September 27 – October 1, 2026. Site.

– 12th International Workshop on High Resolution Depth Profiling. Bento Gonçalves (Brazil). October 5 – 9, 2026. Site.

– 13th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS 2026). Nairobi (Kenya). December 5 – 10, 2026. Site.

– XXV B-MRS Meeting. Fortaleza (Brazil). September 12 – 16, 2027.

If you wish to publicize materials science events, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

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Papers by the community

New research from IFSC-USP shows advances in the development of ceramic nanoparticles that could have a major impact on nanomedicine. In the first study, conducted in collaboration with scientists from Germany, the authors modified calcium phosphate nanoparticles to make them more efficient in the direct application of chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells, reducing the harmful effects of the medication on healthy cells. Go to the paper. In the second study, the authors discovered a way to produce luminous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, which could be used as “nanolanterns” to observe cells inside the body and thus diagnose diseases, monitor health problems, and perform treatments. The developed nanoparticles are composed mainly of abundant and low-cost elements (calcium, phosphorus, and carbon) and obtained through simple chemical reactions in water at room temperature, with high potential for industrial scaling. Go to the paper.

A study by researchers from UFRN and UFOP, in collaboration with scientists from Tsinghua University (China), demonstrates the high potential of a two-dimensional semiconductor in detecting DNA and other molecules. Combining advanced optical spectroscopy and theoretical modeling, the authors investigated the interaction, in an aqueous environment, of molybdenum disulfide with small molecules derived from DNA. Specifically, the scientists studied how these biomolecules are adsorbed onto the semiconductor at the interface with the liquid – a crucial point for the advancement of new biosensors. They showed that biomolecules can modify the electronic properties of the material through doping processes. The work points to ways to develop biosensors based on two-dimensional materials. Go to the paper.

A scientific team from CNPEM, Unesp, and MackGraphe conducted a detailed study on MOFs – the porous nanostructures whose development was the subject of last year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The authors produced thin films of MOFs, which can be easily integrated into electronic nanodevices. Using experimental and computational tools, they investigated how potentially toxic volatile organic compounds (methanol, ethanol, propanol, and hexane) diffuse in these films at the nanoscale. The study broadens the understanding of diffusion mechanisms in porous nanostructures and contributes to the development of more selective sensors and advanced environmental monitoring technologies. Go to the paper.

XXIV B-MRS Meeting
Curitiba (PR), September 27 to October 1st, 2026

Submissions. Abstract submission has been extended to April 13th. Read the guidelines for authors and access the submission system, here.

Symposia. Abstracts must be submitted within the 27 symposia that comprise the event. In addition to the 26 thematic symposia proposed by the community, the list includes the AA symposium, dedicated to posters on advanced materials topics not included in the other symposia. See the list of symposia.

Industry – academia workshop. This edition of the event includes a 3-day workshop that will bring together representatives from industry, academia, and government, from Brazil and abroad, to address the challenges of technological innovation in materials and nanotechnology, from proof of concept to industrial validation. Learn more.

Workshop on science communication and outreach. This one-day workshop will address the dialogue between scientists and other audiences through community contributed presentations and invited lectures. Event participants can present their studies and projects by submitting abstracts until April 13th. Learn more.

Venue. The event will be held at the convention center UP Experience, in the city of Curitiba, capital of the state of Paraná. Visit the website of the center.

Plenary lectures. The names of six scientists from Australia, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and the United States who will deliver plenary lectures at the event have already been confirmed. See here.

Registration. Registration is now open. See the prices per category and the important discounts for active B-MRS members, here.

Chairs. The chairs of this edition are Prof. Gregório Couto Faria (IFSC-USP) and Prof. Paula Cristina Rodrigues (UTFPR).

Exhibitors. 28 companies and startups have already confirmed their participation in our booth exhibition. Organizations interested in booths and other forms of participation should contact us via comercial@sbpmat.org.br.

FAQ. If you have questions about the event, please consult the frequently asked questions or wite to 24encontro@sbpmat.org.br.

News from members

Professor Edgar Dutra Zanotto (UFSCar), an internationally renowned Brazilian researcher in the field of vitreous materials, visited China this March to establish collaborations with Wuhan University of Technology (WUT), one of the five most prolific institutions in the world in publications on inorganic glasses. During his visit, Professor Zanotto signed a five-year academic collaboration agreement. He also participated in the inauguration of a 200-square-meter laboratory named in his honor, the Edgar Zanotto Global Laboratory of Advanced Disordered Materials (EZ-GLAD). Zanotto is the author of over 400 scientific articles, 25 book chapters, 3 books, and 27 registered patents. He has supervised over 100 postgraduate and postdoctoral research projects, participated in 25 projects in partnership with industry, and provided consulting services to approximately 40 companies. He has received more than 60 awards and distinctions, including the Grand Cross of the National Order of Scientific Merit – the highest honor in Brazilian science. He is the founder of the Laboratory of Glass Materials (LaMaV–UFSCar), created in 1977, and co-founder of B-MRS. Zanotto has given more than 100 invited or plenary lectures at scientific conferences and, at this year’s B-MRS Meeting in Curitiba, he will be one of the plenary speakers.

Upcoming events

– 52nd International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings & Thin Films (ICMCTF2026). San Diego (USA). April 19 – 24, 2026. Site.

– Workshop on i-Caloric Effects (WiCE). Online. May 5 – 6, 2026. Site.

– The 4th Global Conference of Innovation Materials & MRS-K Spring Meeting (GCIM2026). Jeju (South Korea). May 31 – June 4, 2026. Site.

– 7th International Conference on Applied Surface Science. Chengdu (China). June 1 – 4, 2026. Site.

– 25th International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (IPS-25). Seoul (South Korea). July 12 – 17, 2026. Site.

– International Conference on Science and Technology of Synthetic Electronic Materials (ICSM). Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). July 19 – 24, 2026. Site.

– 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering (PSE). Erfurt (Germany). August 31 – Setember 3, 2026. Site.

– XXIV B-MRS Meeting. Curitiba (Brazil). September 27 – October 1, 2026. Site.

– 12th International Workshop on High Resolution Depth Profiling. Bento Gonçalves (Brazil). October 5 – 9, 2026. Site.

– 13th International Conference of the African Materials Research Society (AMRS 2026). Nairobi (Kenya). December 5 – 10, 2026. Site.

– XXV B-MRS Meeting. Fortaleza (Brazil). September 12 – 16, 2027.

To publicize an event for our community, write to comunicacao@sbpmat.org.br.

Membership

The deadline for discounted B-MRS membership fees ends on April 15th. Members who have paid their dues for two or more consecutive years will have a discount this year. Payment of the annual membership grants significant discounts on the B-MRS Meeting registration fee, among other benefits. Learn more.

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