NextMatCon

The MRS/E-MRS joint chapter of UHasselt is excited to announce their first conference: The Next-Generation Materials, Engineering and Technology Conference (NextMatCon). This conference brings together leading researchers, industry professionals, and academic experts to explore the latest advances in materials science, engineering innovation, and applied technologies. This multidisciplinary conference provides a dynamic platform for cutting-edge research talks, fostering collaboration, and discussing future trends across various sectors, including biomaterials, energy storage and transition, and materials for smart (opto)electronics.

17 October 2025
08:15 - 17:45
Embuild Limburg, Wetenschapspark 33, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Logo MRS Conference Final 3 Logo MRS Conference Final 3

NextMatCon 2025 aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application. In this conference, the participants will have the opportunity to engage with keynote speakers, present their findings via interactive poster sessions, and networking opportunities designed to spark innovation and drive progress in both fundamental research and industrial vision.

Join us as we shape the future of material science and engineering.

Themes and applications

Energy storage and transition: 

  • Advanced solar cell technologies (e.g., Thinfilms, Solar cells (Tandem perovskites & hybrid))
  • Materials enabling energy harvesting, conversion, and storage

Materials for smart (opto)electronics:

  • Interconnections, device integration and printing technologies for flexible stretchable electronics
  • (Organic) Light-emitting and light-detecting devices (Molecular level to device approaches)
  • Optoelectronic materials and devices using hetero-structures and nanostructures

(Bio)materials for advanced applications:

  • (Nano)materials for therapeutics and diagnostics
  • Biofabrication and regenerative materials
  • Innovative materials and models in toxicology

Bridging science and industry

How can we effectively translate scientific breakthroughs into industrial innovation? This interactive debate session brings together voices from academia and industry to examine the realities of collaboration between science and the marketplace.

It will explore how cutting-edge research is translated into commercial technologies, the challenges and opportunities of scaling up materials-based solutions, and strategies for fostering productive academia–industry partnerships.

Get involved

We would like to invite the participants to engage actively with the scientific community and contribute to ongoing dialogue and discovery. Whether you're a student, early-career researcher, or seasoned professional, this is your opportunity to connect, share, and collaborate.

Poster presentation: Showcase your work and gain visibility among peers and experts. Posters offer a platform for feedback, networking, and potential collaboration. Poster size A0.

Pitch Competition: Would you like to present your research to a broader audience? Present it in a high-energy pitch format (3 minutes, 3 - 5 static slides). 

Prizes and recognition await the most compelling concepts for both poster and pitch competition!

The abstract submission is open from June 13th until July 31st 2025.

Abstract

Abstracts for posters must be prepared using the designated template and submitted via mrs-emrs.chapter@uhasselt.be. Please also indicate your interest in the pitch competition at the end of the abstract.

All abstracts should be written in English and must include the title, list of authors, and their affiliations (if needed, graphical abstract). The word limit for the abstract should not exceed 400 words. Submissions must not exceed one A4 page in length and must be in PDF format only.

The final deadline for poster abstract submission is July 31st, 2025. Notification of abstract acceptance will be sent by August 11, 2025

For further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via mrs-emrs.chapter@uhasselt.be

Practical details

What

Date

Abstract deadline

July 31st, 2025

Abstract confirmation

August 11, 2025

Early-bird registration

August 11 until September 1st, 2025

Late registration

Until September 15, 2025

Program

Program

Time

Reception

08:15 - 09:00

Opening

09:00 - 09:15

Lecture 1 (Theme: (Bio)materials for advanced applications)
Dr. Constantin d'Ydewalle (J&J Innovation Medicine)
Senior Scientific Manager

09:15 - 10:00

Coffee break

10:00 - 10:15

Lecture 2 (Theme: Energy storage and transition)
Yet to be announced

10:15 - 11:00

Poster Session 1

11:00 - 12:15

Lunch

12:15 - 13:15

Lecture 3 (Theme: Materials for smart (opto)electronics)
Dr. Gert-Jan Wetzelaer (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany)
Group leader

13:15 - 14:00

Poster Session 2

14:00 - 15:15

Debate:

Chair:

Dr. Shudanshu Shukla
   Researcher (IMEC, EnergyVille, Belgium)

Prof dr. Ken Haenen
    Vicerector Research, Valorisation and internationalisation Hasselt University
    Group leader Wide Band gap materials (IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, IMEC, Belgium)

Prof dr. Marlies Van Bael
    Director IMO-IMOMEC
    Responsible Design & Synthesis of Inorganic Materials (IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, IMEC, Belgium)

Prof dr. Bart Vermang
    Responsible Engineering Materials and Applications (IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, IMEC, Belgium)

Prof. dr. ir. Wim Deferme
     Engineering Materials and Applications (IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, IMEC, Belgium)

Dr. Naveen Reddy
   R&D team leader (IMEC, Belgium)

Prof. dr. Anitha Ethirajan
   Group leader Nanobiophysics & Soft matter Interfaces (IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, IMEC, Belgium)

Dr. Constantin d'Ydewalle
   Senior Scientific Manager (J&J Innovation Medicine)

15:15 - 16:15

Pitch competition

16:15 - 17:15

Closing session and awards

17:15 - 17:45

Registration fees

This fee includes welcome & poster receptions, coffee breaks, and lunch during the conference.

Category

Price Earlybird (Euro), until September 1st, 12:00h

Price Late Registration (Euro), until September 15th, 12:00h

Master Student

15

20

PhD Student (UHasselt)

25

35

PhD Student (outside)

35

45

Researcher

50

65

Accommodation

Holiday Inn Express and B&B hotel are located at the city center of Hasselt, very close to the railway station. Taxis are available in front of the railway station. Walking takes about 10 minutes.

Holiday Inn Express
Address: Thonissenlaan 37, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Tel: +32 11 242 200
E-mail: info@hihasselt.com
Web: www.hiexpress.com/exhasselt

B&B hotel
Address: Thonissenlaan 75, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Tel: +32 011 260 980
E-mail: bel-corpo@hotelbb.com

Other options: Overnight accommodations | Visit Hasselt

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