Advances in Materials Research from IMRC 2026

Materials science and engineering continues to advance through research at the intersection of chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. This cross-disciplinary momentum is opening new possibilities for energy, sustainability, catalysis, nanotechnology, quantum science, biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation devices. At the same time, important challenges remain, including the development of more sustainable processes, scalable approaches for the synthesis of novel materials, the integration of advanced computational and modeling methods, and robust strategies for characterization, optimization, and practical application.This Research Topic is intended to represent the breadth and quality of research presented at the 34th International Materials Research Congress (IMRC 2026) and to give participants an opportunity to share their work with a broader audience beyond the conference. It will also reflect the field’s growing commitment to sustainability, from greener material design to cleaner technologies and more resource-efficient production. Guided by the scientific themes of IMRC 2026, the collection will highlight interdisciplinary advances shaping materials discovery and optimization, including progress in synthesis, bioinspired design, characterization, and computational approaches. In doing so, it aims to capture both fundamental insights and emerging applications across the evolving landscape of materials research.We invite contributions from IMRC 2026 participants that reflect the scientific vision of the congress and showcase the dynamic, interdisciplinary research driving the future of materials science and engineering.This Research Topic is associated with the International Materials Research Congress taking place in Cancun, Mexico in August 2026. Learn more about the congress. Topic editors: Heriberto Díaz Velázquez, Araceli Martínez Ponce, Hiroyasu Furukawa Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80399/advances-in-materials-research-from-imrc-2026