Full Conference Agenda

2D materials such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride and MXenes, are promising materials for aerospace and automotive industries due to their multifunctional properties.  Their exceptional characteristics make them potential game-changers in aerospace and automotive structures, with applications spanning thermosets, thermoplastics, elastomers, metals, and ceramics. However, despite the significant benefits that these 2D materials offers, several challenges remain in their integration into aerospace and automotive applications. These challenges include, but are not limited to, quality, material processing, and supply chain limitations, all of which must be addressed to fully unlock their potential. 

The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester plays a pivotal role in tackling these challenges, working towards enabling 2D materials widespread adoption in next-generation aerospace and automotive structures. 

Advanced ceramics are essential to industries from aerospace to energy, offering durability, heat resistance, and specialised electrical properties. This session explores their critical applications, the challenges hindering wider adoption—such as high production costs and supply chain dependencies—and the urgency of overcoming these barriers. With global competition increasing, how can the UK strengthen its position in this vital sector? Experts will discuss strategies for investment, innovation, and policy support to ensure the UK remains a leader in advanced ceramics, securing economic and technological benefits for the future. 

Discussion Points: 

• Why advanced ceramics are so important and their key applications? 

• The challenges associated and why it’s vital we overcome them? 

• How might the UK better position itself in this vital field?  

Materials innovation is a key driver of UK economic growth, underpinning advancements in manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure. By fostering collaboration between industry and academia, the UK can accelerate the commercialisation of novel materials, enhancing productivity and global competitiveness. This session will explore how strategic investment, regulatory support, and skills development can unlock economic potential. Panellists will discuss the role of digital tools, sustainability, and policy in driving materials-led growth, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of high-value manufacturing and innovation. 

Discussion Points 

• How can the UK improve the translation of cutting-edge materials research into commercial success, ensuring economic benefits stay within the country? 

• How can materials innovation contribute to a circular economy and strengthen supply chain resilience? 

• What role do AI, automation, and digital tools play in accelerating development and adoption? 

• What regulatory and funding frameworks are needed to position the UK as a leader in materials innovation? 

Additive manufacturing has well passed the stage it was only regarded as an expensive, slow, and low-scale production method only viable for prototyping and proof-of-concept. Although plastic 3D printing has now been well established in mass-production, 3d printing in niche markets like ceramic manufacturing is finding its playground in the mainstream. AM-COE as the biggest ceramic 3D printing facility in Europe, with over 200 ceramic 3D printers in operation, shares their experience and insight about what it takes to scale up ceramic 3D printing to mass-manufacturing 

Focussing on one – two challenge areas in energy transition, we bring together a cross-section of the materials ecosystem, from funding bodies, national institutes, academia, supply chain manufacturers and end users to discuss the need for coordinated efforts across the space to ensure right research is funded and is translated into scalable and usable technology solutions that end users such as energy companies could deploy to the market.  

With the backdrop of the national materials innovation strategy launched by Royce in 2025, this would be an interesting discussion and could lead to some actionable outcomes that push the technology forward quickly.  

Discussion points: 

• Timescales from concept to prototype and scale-up 

• Role of AI/ML in going from concept to scale 

• End-to-end supply chain coordination (vs. everyone is doing their own bit) 

• Role of funding agencies and government labs – is there a role for them to play in linking the system together. 

• Barriers to deployment – levelized cost of energy, and how can the system coordinate, IP ownership challenges due to joint development 

Advancements in materials testing and characterisation are crucial for quality, performance, and innovation across industries. This session will explore the latest techniques and technologies enhancing material analysis, from non-destructive testing to AI-driven methods. Experts will discuss key challenges, including the need for greater precision, efficiency, and adaptability in testing processes. We’ll also examine emerging trends, such as sustainable materials assessment and in-situ monitoring. By showcasing recent innovations, this discussion will highlight how improved testing capabilities are driving product development, regulatory compliance, and the overall advancement of materials science. 

Discussion Points:  

• What are the biggest challenges currently faced in materials testing and characterisation, and how are they being addressed? 

• How are emerging technologies, such as AI and automation, improving the accuracy and efficiency of material analysis? 

• What role does materials testing play in the development of sustainable and next-generation materials? 

• How can industries ensure they stay ahead of evolving testing standards and regulatory requirements? 

As aerospace demands push further—higher speeds, longer ranges, and tougher environments—the materials enabling these advances must keep pace. This panel explores the cutting-edge of aerospace material innovation, focusing on the delicate balance between high performance, long-term durability, and commercial viability. Industry leaders will discuss the role of composites, alloys, and hybrid materials in shaping the next generation of air and space vehicles. From design to deployment, we’ll examine the pressures driving innovation and the realities of scaling new material technologies in a risk-averse, cost-sensitive sector. 

Discussion Questions: 

• What are the most promising new materials redefining weight-to-strength ratios in aerospace applications? 

• How can manufacturers optimise material selection without compromising performance or inflating costs? 

• What role do novel composites and alloys play in extending aircraft lifespans and reducing maintenance? 

• How are supply chain constraints influencing the development and adoption of next-gen aerospace materials? 

Graphene is poised to revolutionise the construction industry, offering enhanced strength, durability, and sustainability for materials like concrete. However, despite its promise, skepticism remains about its scalability and commercial viability. This session will explore the path to overcoming these barriers, focusing on the real-world applications of graphene in construction. Panelists will discuss the challenges of scaling production, performance advantages, and how industry leaders can collaborate to drive widespread adoption. Join us as we explore how graphene can disrupt traditional materials and shape the future of construction by turning potential into reality. 

Discussion Points:  

• What are the key technological and production challenges in scaling graphene for use in construction materials, and how are these being addressed? 

• How does graphene-enhanced concrete compare to traditional concrete in terms of strength, durability, and cost, and what real-world applications are proving its value? 

• What barriers—both technical and regulatory—are preventing wider adoption of graphene in the construction industry, and how can these be overcome? 

• How can industry leaders and innovators work together to dispel skepticism and drive confidence in the performance and economic viability of graphene-based construction materials? 

Ceramic additive manufacturing is unlocking new possibilities across advanced engineering and high-performance industries. This session explores how pushing beyond conventional boundaries is enabling novel applications—from extreme heat resistance to complex geometries unattainable through traditional methods. We’ll examine standout use cases, discuss how to rethink design for ceramic AM, and consider the current limitations holding it back. Whether you’re looking to enhance product functionality or explore new manufacturing strategies, this session will provide insight into how ceramic 3D printing is transforming what’s possible—and what’s next. 

• What are the most compelling use cases where ceramic additive manufacturing has outperformed traditional methods? 

• How can engineers and designers adapt their thinking to fully exploit the unique capabilities of ceramic 3D printing? 

• What are the current limitations of ceramic AM—and what developments are needed to overcome them? 

This panel discussion will explore how material startups and SMEs are the key to driving the charge towards a net-zero future. We’ll delve into the crucial role they play in driving innovation, discuss the challenges they face, and highlight the importance of building a supportive network for their growth. We use the Manchester model used at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) as testament of an ecosystems which connects investors, innovators, and industry leaders, creating the partnerships needed to accelerate the development and scaling of sustainable material solutions.   

Discussion Points:  

• How can material startups and SMEs effectively bridge the gap between innovation and commercial viability to accelerate the transition to net zero?   

• What are the biggest barriers preventing material startups from scaling, and how can industry, investors, and policymakers collaborate to overcome them? 

• The Manchester model at GEIC demonstrates the power of ecosystem-building—what key lessons can other regions and sectors take from this approach to foster similar success?

Opening Address from Stage Sponsor, Goodfellow.

Simon Kenney, CEO of Goodfellow, welcomes you to the Advanced Materials Show, opens the Advanced Materials Forum stage and provides a concise overview of the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced materials, highlighting key trends and potential breakthroughs that will shape the future of technology and industry. Kenney will also briefly introduce the Goodfellow group of companies, including Goodfellow, Potomac Photonics, Suisse Technology Partners, and the Bureau of Analysed Samples, and their contributions to this dynamic field. 

Opening Keynote Address from Stage Sponsor, AMRICC

Once a quiet strength of the UK’s manufacturing heritage, ceramics are now stepping back into the global spotlight—driven by a thriving cluster building off traditional strengths but bolstered by a strong sense of innovation and future-focused ambition. This keynote charts the journey from regional expertise to national and international recognition, powered by the AMRICC Centre, Lucideon, and the MICG. Together, they are transforming an often-overlooked material into a vital enabler of sustainability, security, and competitiveness across many industries. Discover how this growing Advanced Ceramics cluster is positioning the UK at the forefront of cutting-edge manufacturing through unique materials critical to a resilient, high-tech future. 

In manufacturing, every unnecessary step during preparing material processes adds time, cost, and potential for errors. This talk explores innovative strategies to streamline workflows by eliminating redundant or inefficient steps while maintaining or even improving surface quality. We’ll discuss advancements in automation, and process optimisation that enable faster, improved results with fewer steps. Attendees will learn how to assess their current process, identify areas for improvement, and implement practical solutions to boost efficiency. Whether in metals, ceramics, nitride coatings, EV, Fasteners, Power Metallurgy Parts or Materialographic Preparation of Microelectronics or other Coatings, reducing steps can lead to significant gains in productivity, consistency, and overall operational success 

Discuss Points:  

• Common pitfalls and preparation defects, how to correct. 

• Consumables, understanding the differences and how to utilise them 

• Efficiency, how to get the most out of your consumables, equipment. 

From hypersonic flight to nuclear fusion and net-zero aviation, the UK’s most ambitious engineering challenges demand materials that can survive extreme heat, radiation, and oxidation. Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are emerging as game-changers, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 3500°C—already revolutionising aviation with large-scale manufacturing in the US. 

Yet in the UK, adoption has been slow, hindered by high costs and dependence on overseas supply chains. Now, with major investments in high-temperature furnace capabilities, the UK is taking its first steps toward developing a sovereign CMC supply chain. This discussion explores the vast opportunities CMCs offer across aerospace, energy, and defence—and the critical hurdles that must be overcome to make widespread adoption a reality. 

Semiconductors are a critical technology underpinning the prosperity, resilience and security of society. Rapid progress is driven by continued introduction of new foundry processes, chip architectures, advanced packaging and novel materials. Semiconductor manufacture is a global industry but the UK has specific areas of strength related to advanced materials including R&D, compound semiconductors and equipment manufacture. This panel of industry and innovation experts will discuss trends at the frontier of advanced semiconductor materials, ongoing challenges and opportunities for the UK in the future of the semiconductor industry. 

Discussion Points:  

• What are the key trends in advanced semiconductor materials, and how are they shaping the future of the industry? 

• What challenges does the UK face in maintaining and expanding its strengths in semiconductor R&D, compound semiconductors, and equipment manufacturing? 

• How can the UK leverage its expertise in advanced materials to remain competitive in the global semiconductor industry? 

• What role do new foundry processes, chip architectures, and advanced packaging play in driving innovation, and how can UK industry capitalise on these developments? 

In this panel, we will explore some of the challenges related to enabling sustainable materials and their circularity, and the role that measurement can play in supporting the adoption and scaling of these materials. We will discuss ongoing research into materials sustainability, from biomaterials to recycling. Industrial speakers will explore their applications of sustainable materials, and how measurement has helped their adoption and scaling. 

Come and take part in a special live recording of Goodfellow’s popular podcast, Innovation Discussed, as we explore the fascinating world of microfabrication and its pivotal role in the realm of advanced materials. In this panel, we’ll delve into the advantages of microfabrication, from enhancing material properties to enabling groundbreaking applications and answer questions for the next episode. 

The ceramics sector faces significant skills gaps, from technical expertise to digital proficiency. This session explores the key challenges, including an ageing workforce, a shortage of new talent, and evolving industry demands. Panellists will examine obstacles such as limited training resources, outdated perceptions of the sector, and barriers to attracting younger workers. We’ll also highlight progress made in addressing these gaps, from apprenticeships to industry-led initiatives. Finally, the discussion will underscore the importance of continuous upskilling to future-proof the workforce, ensuring the sector remains competitive and innovative in an evolving manufacturing landscape. 

Discussion Points: 

• The main challenges/skills gaps experienced within the sector?  

• The obstacles to overcoming these challenges? 

• The progress being made to date in addressing the skills gaps? 

• Importance of upskilling for current workforce? 

The space environment offers distinct advantages for advanced ceramics — from improved microstructural uniformity to reductions in gravity-related defects. But it’s not just for astronauts and aerospace anymore. This talk explores how terrestrial industries, including additive manufacturing specialists, are beginning to harness microgravity to develop and process ultra-high-performance ceramics like silicon carbide. Learn how the European Space Agency’s Business in Space Growth Network (BSGN) is lowering the barrier for non-space companies to access orbit and redefine what’s possible in ceramics innovation. 

Discussion Points:  

• Explain why microgravity offers unique advantages for advanced ceramic processing and R&D. 

• Demonstrate how non-space companies can access and benefit from space-based infrastructure. 

• Introduce the BSGN Materials Accelerator as a key mechanism for commercial and research engagement with in-space manufacturing. 

Machine learning is transforming how we design, produce, and optimise sustainable materials. This panel explores how AI-driven modelling accelerates material discovery, reduces waste, and enhances performance across industries. Experts will discuss real-world applications, from improving manufacturing efficiency to predicting material properties with precision. What challenges remain in integrating AI into traditional workflows? How can data-driven insights drive more sustainable choices? Join us to explore the intersection of machine learning and materials science—and what it means for the future of innovation and sustainability. 

Discussion Points:  

• How is machine learning accelerating the discovery and development of sustainable materials, and what breakthroughs have we seen so far? 

• What are the biggest challenges in integrating AI-driven optimisation into existing material production processes? 

• How can machine learning help balance sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and performance in material design? 

• What role does data quality and availability play in the success of AI models for sustainable materials innovation?