Special Sessions

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Special Sessions

Special Session 1: 4D Printing and Mechanical Metamaterials

Chair: Wei Zhao, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

Vice Chair 1: Chengjun Zeng, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

Vice Chair 2: Xiaozhou Xin, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
This symposium focuses on the innovative design and intelligent manufacturing of mechanical metamaterials via 4D printing technology. Mechanical metamaterials acquire extraordinary mechanical properties not found in natural materials through artificially designed micro-architectures. 4D printing introduces the dimension of time and smart responsiveness to such materials. By integrating stimuli-responsive materials with ingenious structural designs, fabricated constructs can undergo predetermined, controllable transformations in shape, property, or function under specific external stimuli (e.g., heat, magnetic field, moisture). This field explores cutting-edge structural design methodologies, advanced fabrication processes, and intelligent actuation mechanisms, aiming to drive transformative applications in soft robotics, biomedical devices, aerospace, and flexible electronics.

1. Design and Performance Characterization of Mechanical Metamaterials
2. Smart Materials and Fundamentals of 4D Printing
3. Advanced Additive Manufacturing and Multi-material Printing Processes
4. Flexible Electronics and Programmable Structures
5. Soft Robotics and Biomedical Applications
6. Smart Manufacturing of Composites

 

Special Session 2: Additive manufacturing

Chair: Shaohua Yan, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, China

 

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a transformative manufacturing paradigm, enabling unprecedented design freedom, material efficiency, and functional integration. As AM technologies continue to mature, critical challenges remain in materials development, process control, repeatability, and qualification for industrial-scale applications.
This Special Session on Additive Manufacturing at MSME2026 invites original research contributions that address the materials science and manufacturing engineering aspects of additive manufacturing, with particular emphasis on process–structure–property relationships, advanced materials, and engineering-driven performance optimization.

The session aims to provide a technical forum for researchers, engineers, and practitioners to present experimental studies, modeling and simulation approaches, process innovations, and industrial case studies that advance the understanding and application of additive manufacturing technologies across different material systems and production environments.

1. Additive manufacturing processes, including:
▪Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)
▪Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
▪Binder Jetting
▪Material Extrusion
▪Vat Photopolymerization
2. Feedstock materials for AM: metals, polymers, composites, and ceramics
3. Process–structure–property relationships in additively manufactured materials
4. Microstructure evolution, defects, porosity, and residual stress formation
5. Modeling, simulation, and digital twins for AM processes
6. In-situ monitoring, sensing technologies, and closed-loop process control
7. Post-processing techniques: heat treatment, HIP, surface modification, and finishing
8. Mechanical, thermal, and functional performance of AM components
9. Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and topology optimization
10. Quality assurance, standardization, certification, and reliability of AM parts