Rathish
Author – Ritesh Ranjan: AFMD 2026, hosted by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, brought together over 1,000 scientists and researchers from 33 countries to showcase breakthroughs in functional materials, nanotechnology, thermoelectrics, and biomaterials. The conference highlighted innovations driving sustainable energy, electric vehicles, healthcare, and environmental solutions, while industry leaders from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) emphasized the need to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications. AFMD 2026 reinforced Chennai’s growing reputation as a global hub for materials science research and innovation.
AFMD Awards 2026: Honoring Global Scientific Excellence
One of the major highlights of AFMD 2026 was the prestigious Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar AFMD Awards, chaired by Prof. M. Navaneethan from SRMIST’s Nanotechnology Research Centre. The awards recognized exceptional contributions to functional materials research and scientific innovation.
Award Winners:
- Lifetime Achievement (AFMD): Ramaswamy Murugavel – For pioneering research in inorganic and functional materials.
- Lifetime Achievement in Science: Srinivasan Natarajan – For decades of contributions to crystal engineering and materials chemistry.
- International Outstanding Researcher: Naoki Wakiya – For innovations in ceramic materials for electronics.
- International Lifetime Achievement: Yoshimasa Kawata – For global collaborations in materials science.
- Outstanding Women Scientist: Judy Z. Wu – For research in superconducting thin films.
- Rising Star of Indian Science: Kanishka Biswas – For thermoelectric materials research focused on energy efficiency.
- Outstanding Researcher (India): S. Balakumar – For biomaterials research in healthcare applications.
These awards celebrated scientists whose work is directly contributing to sustainable technologies, energy efficiency, and next-generation electronics.
The “Valley of Death” Challenge in Research Commercialization
A key moment at AFMD 2026 came when DRDO Chief Guest Dr. R. Balamuralikrishnan highlighted the critical gap between laboratory research and commercial products, often referred to as the “Valley of Death.” According to him, only about 5% of research innovations successfully reach the market.
He emphasized that functional materials research plays a crucial role in solving global challenges such as clean energy, environmental protection, and semiconductor development. However, the focus must now shift toward scalable manufacturing, industry collaboration, and technology commercialization.
Krishnan Sadagopan, SVP of Ashok Leyland R&D, also stressed the importance of industry-academia partnerships, stating that patent-driven research aligned with industry needs is essential for India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and semiconductor mission.
Functional Materials: Powering Energy, Healthcare, and Sustainability
AFMD 2026 focused heavily on real-world applications of functional materials that are expected to shape the future of technology and sustainability.
Key Application Areas:
- Energy & Electric Vehicles
Thermoelectric materials can convert waste heat into electricity, improving EV efficiency and reducing energy loss. Researchers estimate that thermoelectrics could reduce EV battery energy loss by up to 20%. - Healthcare & Biomaterials
Advanced biomaterials are being developed for smart implants, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems, improving healthcare technology and patient outcomes. - Environment & Water Purification
Nanomaterials and functional coatings are being used for water purification, pollution control, and environmental remediation, supporting global sustainability goals and UN SDGs. - Sustainable Materials
Researchers are focusing on earth-abundant materials to reduce dependence on rare-earth elements, which are expensive and geopolitically sensitive.
With India’s materials market expected to reach $30 billion by 2026 (FICCI estimate), research in functional materials is becoming a major driver of economic growth and technological leadership.
Chennai Emerging as a Global Materials Science Hub
With international conferences like AFMD 2026, Chennai is rapidly emerging as a global hub for materials science, semiconductor research, and advanced manufacturing. SRMIST’s Nanotechnology Research Centre is playing a key role in international collaborations, hosting more than 160 foreign delegates during the conference.
The conference also aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which emphasizes research, innovation, and global academic collaboration.
AFMD 2026 demonstrated that India is not just participating in global research anymore — it is leading in key areas such as thermoelectrics, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and sustainable materials.
Why AFMD 2026 Matters for Students and Young Researchers
AFMD 2026 was not just a scientific conference — it was a platform for young researchers, PhD scholars, and engineering students to network with global scientists, explore funding opportunities, and understand how to convert research into real-world technologies.
Key takeaways for young innovators:
- Focus on industry-relevant research
- Work on sustainable and scalable technologies
- File patents and collaborate with industry
- Build international research networks
- Focus on commercialization and product development
The message from AFMD 2026 was clear: The future belongs to researchers who can take innovation from the lab to the market.
FAQs
1. What is AFMD 2026?
AFMD 2026 is the International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Devices hosted by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, focusing on materials research for energy, sustainability, electronics, and healthcare.
2. Who organized AFMD 2026?
AFMD 2026 was organized by SRM Institute of Science and Technology with support from DRDO, DST, CSIR, and other research organizations.
3. What are functional materials?
Functional materials are advanced materials designed with specific properties such as conductivity, magnetism, thermoelectricity, or biocompatibility for use in electronics, energy, healthcare, and environmental applications.
4. Why are thermoelectric materials important?
Thermoelectric materials convert waste heat into electricity, improving energy efficiency in electric vehicles, industrial processes, and power systems.