Papers by the community

Enzymes are naturally occurring molecules that act as biological catalysts, enabling chemical reactions essential for life without being consumed in the process. In the realm of technology, they can be used to produce sensors and catalysts. One way to facilitate this application is through the production of enzymatic nanoflowers—flower-shaped particles that combine enzymes with inorganic elements. In this nanomaterial, the flower’s “petals” provide a large surface area for catalytic activity to occur. However, integrating these nanoflowers into electronic devices still presents challenges. Recent research conducted entirely at UNIFESP has taken a significant step forward in this area. Using low-cost techniques, the researchers successfully incorporated nanoflowers composed of the enzyme urease and copper ions into a thin polymer film. The material demonstrated good stability and catalytic activity. This work opens up possibilities for developing miniaturized, reusable devices capable, for instance, of monitoring urea levels in biological samples, soil, and wastewater. Go to the paper.

An international scientific team led by researchers from UNESP has achieved another breakthrough in optimizing perovskite solar cells. These devices consist of layers of different materials that can be arranged in various configurations. Among them, the inverted planar architecture offers several advantages: greater stability, compatibility with flexible substrates, and ease of integration into tandem cells—which achieve the highest possible efficiencies by stacking multiple solar cells on top of one another. In this new study, the authors developed a material capable of enhancing the performance of inverted planar perovskite solar cells. The material combines a film of the polymer polyethyleneimine—an insulator—with nanoparticles of a two-dimensional material from the MXenes class, known for their high conductivity. The new material was tested at the interface between the electron transport layer and the metal cathode. Tests demonstrated that the use of MXenes improved interface properties, significantly increasing solar cell efficiency compared to the pure polymer. In addition to scientists from UNESP-Bauru, the study involved researchers from UTFPR, ITA, and the Brazilian applied research center Oninn, as well as collaborators from the Swiss institutions Empa and EPFL. Go to the paper.

Research conducted by scientists from UFSCar and USP presents a new approach to developing more efficient gas sensors. Initially, the authors produced a sensor based on a zinc oxide film containing a tiny amount of cobalt. The material was tested for the detection of ozone, a gas classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a major pollutant when it accumulates in the lower atmosphere. Using photoluminescence spectroscopy, the scientists observed that, upon excitation, the sensor produced an intense blue light emission; this emission was linked to a specific type of defect in the material, which in turn was associated with improved ozone adsorption. In other words, the authors correlated the blue luminescence measurement with the sensor’s efficiency. Based on this method, the team employed defect engineering to increase the sensor’s response to ozone by a factor of 37. The study opens up possibilities for using luminescence measurements to optimize gas sensors. Go to the paper.

Community news

The Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group at the São Carlos Institute of Physics (GNano/IFSC-USP), coordinated by the B-MRS member Valtencir Zucolotto, won first place in the “17th Octavio Frias de Oliveira Award” in the “Technological Innovation in Oncology” category. The award, which seeks to encourage the generation of knowledge regarding cancer prevention and treatment in Brazil, has been presented since 2010 by the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo (ICESP) in partnership with the Folha de São Paulo newspaper. The winning work by GNano opens up new possibilities for treating glioblastoma—one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain tumors. Currently, treatment involves the oral administration of the chemotherapy drug temozolomide, a method that causes severe adverse effects. In this new study, published in December 2024 in the scientific journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, GNano researchers and their collaborators developed biodegradable, biomimetic nanoparticles capable of carrying the chemotherapy drug and releasing it directly into the brain following nasal administration. This new route allows for lower drug doses and concentrates the drug’s action on cancer cells, thereby reducing side effects. The paper’s lead author, researcher Natália Noronha Ferreira, received the award on August 12 at the ICESP auditorium in São Paulo.

Professor Luciana Reyes Pires Kassab, a member of the Advisory Board of B-MRS, has now joined the editorial board of Plasmonics (Springer Nature) as an Associate Editor. The journal is dedicated to advances in the field of plasmons and their applications. On the “From the Editors” blog, Springer Nature interviewed the researcher, who shared her expectations regarding her work with the journal and highlighted the opportunity for the Brazilian community to publish in open access format, thanks to the agreement signed between CAPES and Springer Nature. Luciana Kassab holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from PUC-SP and a master’s and a doctorate in Physics from USP. She has been a faculty member at the São Paulo Faculty of Technology (Fatec São Paulo) since 1992 and a member of the institution’s Scientific and Technological Research Coordination Office since 2004. She served as Director of Fatec São Paulo from 2006 to 2017. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Institutional Committee for Scientific and Technological Initiation at the Paula Souza State Center for Technological Education (CEETEPS), a São Paulo state government agency that manages technical schools and colleges of technology. For decades, she has conducted research on advanced photonic materials and plasmonic effects.

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

Registration. The registration fee for the XXIV B-MRS Meeting can be paid at the “regular registration” rate until September 8. Please check the rates by category and the special rates for active B-MRS members, here.

Kids playroom. The event will provide a supervised area at the convention center, at no extra cost, for participants’ children aged 3 to 10. To use this service, it is necessary to fill out this form.

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 Universidade Positivo 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 ou 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

– Call for research and innovation proposals in raw materials for the green transition for consortia that include researchers from São Paulo and the European Union. Submission of pre-proposals is open until September 22nd. Learn more.

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

Upcoming events

– 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.

– II Reunião de Usuários de Nêutrons (II RUN). São Paulo (Brazil). January 26 – 28, 2027. Site.

– Materials for Sustainable Development Conference – Latin América (MATSUS-LATAM27). Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). February 1º – 3, 2027. 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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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.

Follow us on social media

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.

Follow us on social media

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.

Follow us on the web

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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