The 8th International conference on SMART MATERIALS and NANOTECHNOLOGY in ENGINEERING, Sharjah, November 25-28, 2024

SMN2024 will be the eighth edition of the successful series of international conferences on smart materials and nanotechnology in engineering. It will serve as a nexus, connecting the dynamic advancements in smart materials and nanotechnology in engineering, catering to a wide array of applications. This conference has been promoted since 2007 by Professor Shanyi Du and Professor Jinsong Leng, from Harbin Institute of Technology (China). Past conference venues have included Harbin (China, 2007), Weihai (China, 2009), Shenzhen (China, 2011), Gold Coast (Australia, 2013), Vancouver (Canada, 2015), Madrid (Spain, 2017), and Harbin (China, 2019).

Smart materials are active and multifunctional materials capable of transduction (energy conversion) and actuation functions, which have been widely applied in many fields like aerospace, automotive, mechanical and civil engineering, and advanced manufacturing. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, the hybrid combination of nanomaterials and smart materials is emerging as a hot and frontier topic in recent years, and related research and applications in intelligent bionics, biomedicine, robotics and flexible electronics, among others, continues fast growth.

SMN2024 aims at providing a comprehensive forum for discussing current state of the art of smart materials and nanotechnology in engineering as well as developing future ideas on a multidisciplinary level, with emphasis on integration of smart materials and nanotechnology in engineering. The conference will bring together the best research and applications on smart materials, structures and nanotechnology in engineering.

• Mehdi Ghommem, American University Sharjah, UAE
• Ayech Benjeddou, ISAE-SUPMECA & SUA-UTC ROBERVAL, France
• Lotfi Romdhane, American University Sharjah, UAE
• Rana Sabouni, American University Sharjah, UAE
• Maen Alkhader, American University Sharjah, UAE

General Topics

The scope of the conference includes topics related (but not limited) to the following general areas:

• Smart materials (piezoelectric/ferroelectric, shape memory, magneto/electro-rheological, magneto/electro-strictive, dielectric elastomers, electroactive polymers, metamaterials, self-healing materials, energy storage materials, etc.)
• Nanotechnology in engineering (nano-materials, nano-reinforced composites, nano-structures, nano-systems, nano sensors, nano actuators, nano harvesters, etc.)
• Manufacturing technologies (additive, 3D/4D printing, painting, embodying intelligence, bonding, connection, prototyping, etc.)
• Analysis methods and tools (theoretical, computational, experimental, design, model-based, data-based, AI, multiscale, nano, micro, macro, characterization, homogenization, identification, optimization, etc.)
• Active sensing, actuation and transduction (structural vibration/acoustic/shape/position control, morphing, structural health monitoring, energy harvesting, damping, etc.)
• Environment-friendly and sustainable developments (unleaded smart materials, green composites, smart biomaterials, renewable energy, smart IOT devices, wireless communication and energy transfer, smart cities, smart grids, etc.)
• Engineering applications (mechanical, aerospace, mechatronic, robotic, automotive, civil, biomechanical, biomedical, bioengineering, etc.)

Special Sessions and Mini Symposia

The aim of special sessions (SS)* and mini symposia (MS)** is to facilitate concentrated discussions on emerging topics or inventive applications related to smart materials and nanotechnology in engineering. Potential SS or MS organizers are required to submit, within the deadline, a proposal on a relevant topic as per the main scope of the conference, comprising the title, a brief (few lines) description, and the organizers’ names and affiliations.

*A special session is expected to contain a minimum of 6 talks of 20 minutes each, including Q/A.

** A mini symposium is expected to contain a minimum of 12 talks (2 sessions) of 20 minutes each, including Q/A.

MS01: Mechanics of composite origami structures, organized by Jian Xiong, Harbin Institute of Technology, China.
MS02: Advances in Gas Sensors Technology, organized by Nouha Alcheikh, Khalifa University, UAE, Amal Hajjej-Ep-Zemni, Loughborough University, United Kingdom, and Hassen Ouakad, South Mediterranean University, Tunisia.
MS03: Functional materials and composites, organized by Wael Zaki, Khalifa University, UAE, and Tarak Ben Zineb, Université de Lorraine, France

SS01: Design of smart multifunctional structures using active PVDF materials, organized by Nazih Mechbal and Marc Rebillat, PIMM Laboratory, CNRS-Ensam-Cnam (Paris), France.
SS02: Advanced modelling, design and testing of smart composite structures, organized by Aurelio Araujo, IDMEC, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal & Enrico Zappino, Politecnico di Torino, Italy.
SS03: Energy Harvesting for Sensor Applications, organized by Alireza Rezaniakolaei, Aalborg University, Denmark.
SS04: Advanced modeling, simulation and testing of electro-active materials and structures, organized by Michael Krommer and Alexander Humer, Institute of Technical Mechanics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
SS05: Soft robots for engineering applications, organized by Liwu Liu, Harbin Institute of Technology, China, and Jianglong Guo, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), China
SS06: Monitoring and Imaging with Smart Devices, organized by Jiaze He, Harbin Institute of Technology, China and Mohammad Harb, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
SS07: Shape Memory Polymer Composites and Their Potential Applications, organized by Cheng Lin and Qinyu Li, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

Registration is required for admission to the venue and participation in the conference scientific program and other SMN2024 activities. To benefit from the most favorable conference rates, we advise delegates to capitalize on the advantageous Early Bird offer.

To register for the conference, click here.

The registration fees* (in USD: $) for the SMN2024 Conference are as follows:

*One registration allows only one submission (abstract/paper) and one presentation (oral/poster).

Terms and Conditions

As the conference will be held in the UAE, SMN2024 is required to collect 5 percent VAT on registration (not included in the prices above).

Standard participant registration rate covers a maximum of one accepted submission (abstract, paper) by the same registered author. Standard participants are entitled to: (a) admission to all sessions, (b) daily lunches and refreshments/coffee breaks, (c) welcome reception, (d) conference proceedings, (e) social event and (f) banquet dinner.

Student (PhD, Master’s) participant registration rate covers only one accepted submission (abstract, paper). Student participants are entitled to: (a) admission to all sessions, (b) daily lunches and refreshments/coffee breaks, (c) welcome reception and (d) conference proceedings. To receive the PhD/master’s student rates, attendees must send by email to [email protected] a copy of a valid student ID to validate their registration.

Accompanying person registration: Includes (a) welcome reception, (b) social event and (c) conference dinner.

Payment confirmation notifications will be sent to your email address, once your payment is processed successfully.

Final acceptance is contingent upon payment of the registration fee by the presenting author during the advance period (within early or regular deadlines). This is a requirement for the presentation to be included in the conference program and proceedings.

Refund policy: A 20 percent non-refundable cancellation fee applies. All requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than November 1, 2024. No refunds will be made after this date, but replacement of a registered speaker is allowed.

The scientific program of SMN 2024 is composed of plenary lectures, keynote lectures, oral presentations in general or/and special sessions and mini-symposia on research or/and industrial hot topics and posters. The detailed program can be downloaded here. The oral presentations have durations of 45 minutes (30+15 Q&A), 30 minutes (20+10 Q&A) and 20 minutes (15+5 Q&A) for plenary, keynote or regular oral lectures, respectively.

The social program of SMN 2024 includes:

• Welcome reception: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 evening
• Banquet dinner at Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 evening
• Visit iconic landmark in Sharjah - Najd Al Meqsar: Thursday, November 28, 2024 afternoon 

Conference proceedings will be published in an e-book with an ISBN number. The organizing committee will also work to attribute DOI to the conference papers. The open-access deposit platform will be announced later.

Selected papers will be published in special issues of these journals (regular review process applies)

• ISSS Journal of Micro and Smart System (Springer)
• Journal of Vibration and Control (Sage)

SMN2024 will be held at American University of Sharjah (AUS). AUS has a unique multifaceted campus with a distinctive Islamic architecture and is conveniently located close to airports and tourist attractions. Firmly grounded in principles of meritocracy and with a strong reputation for academic excellence, AUS has come to represent the very best in teaching and research, accredited internationally and recognized by employers the world over for creating graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and drive to lead.

AUS values learners not driven only by academic success, but by those that embrace our dynamic campus life and embody our ideals of openness, tolerance and respect. This combination of academic excellence and community spirit ensures AUS is filled with world-class faculty and students who are poised to become the leaders of tomorrow. We offer 32 majors and 46 minors at the undergraduate level, 17 master's degrees programs and five PhD programs.

For directions to the AUS campus, click here.

Sharjah is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is renowned for its breathtaking landmarks, vibrant shopping malls and traditional souks, pristine beaches, thrilling waterparks and world-class luxury hotels.

Click here for major tourist attractions in the UAE.

For more information on Sharjah, click here.