The 2nd International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Devices (AFMD 2026), hosted by the SRM Institute of Science and Technology’s Nanotechnology Research Centre, emerged as a significant global platform for scientific exchange, recognising excellence in advanced materials research.
Held at the Dr. T.P. Ganesan Auditorium, the conference attracted over 1,000 participants, including 160 international delegates from 33 countries, reflecting its growing global relevance. The highlight of the inaugural session was the presentation of the Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar AFMD Awards, celebrating achievements across diverse domains of materials science.
Celebrating Scientific Excellence
Among the top honours, Prof. Ramaswamy Murugavel of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Prof. Srinivasan Natarajan of Indian Institute of Science were conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards for their enduring contributions to science.
In the international category, Prof. Naoki Wakiya and Prof. Yoshimasa Kawata from Shizuoka University were recognised for outstanding research and lifetime contributions respectively. Prof. Judy Z. Wu from the University of Kansas received the Outstanding Women Scientist Award, while Prof. Kanishka Biswas of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research was named Rising Star of Indian Science.
Prof. S. Balakumar of University of Madras was honoured for his impactful work in bio-materials, highlighting the growing intersection of materials science and healthcare.
Bridging research And Real-World Impact
Delivering the keynote, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory Director Dr. R. Balamuralikrishnan stressed the urgency of translating research into real-world applications. He noted that less than five per cent of research reaches product development, calling for greater focus on manufacturing, testing, and scalability to bridge this critical gap.
Echoing this, Krishnan Sadagopan of Ashok Leyland emphasised the importance of aligning innovation with industry needs, strengthening patent ecosystems, and accelerating scalable solutions.
Strengthening Global Collaboration
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan highlighted SRMIST’s commitment to building a robust research ecosystem driven by interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement. He pointed to advances in communication technologies that are enabling seamless international cooperation in science.
Chaired by Prof. M. Navaneethan, the conference is supported by leading organisations including Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Department of Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Defence Research and Development Organisation, alongside global academic partners.