Plenary Speakers 2026

Marcelo PRADO
Professor
Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Programme Military Instityute of Engineering, IME
Rio de Janeiro, R.J., BRAZIL
Marcelo Prado is a metallurgical engineer, M.Sc. and Ph.D. on Metallurgical and Materials Science Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ, Brazil). Part of the Ph.D. was performed in the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRC, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London) and developed Post doctoral research on porous bioceramics and composites performed at INEB – University of Oporto (2000-2001). Marcelo Prado is currently a Full Professor in the Military Institute of Engineering (IME, Brazil), being also in chief of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory and Ceramic Materials Laboratory. Prof. Marcelo Prado develops researches on bioceramics synthesis and processing, bioactive glasses and composites and is involved in related researches as supervisor, member of scientific committee of conferences, referee of scientific journals, and international societies. He was the President of the International Society for Ceramics in Medicine (ISCM) in 2008 and 2025.
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THE STORY BEHIND THE CONVERSION OF MONETITE TO HIDROXYAPATITE
Hydroxyapatite is a well-known bioactive bioceramic used as scaffold for bone repair/regeneration and as bioactive coating on biocompatible metals and alloys like titanium and titanium alloys. The coating method has a strong influence on the adhesion to the metallic substrate and on the coating bioactivity and stability in the physiological medium.
This talk will tell the story of the publication of the article entitled “Transformation of monetite to hydroxyapatite in bioactive coatings on titanium” (Surf. Coat. Technol. 2001, 137, 270–276, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0257-8972(00)01125-7). The developed coating method is based on the conversion of an acidic calcium phosphate, monetite, Ca.HPO4, to hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. The development of this coating method gave rise to other routes for producing scaffolds and partially-substitute hydroxyapatite coatings.

Julia MIRZA-ROSCA
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, SPAIN
Dr. Mirza-Rosca is Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Universit, Canary Islands, Spain. She is the Head of Nanoscience and Nanomaterials Laboratory, Director of Nanomaterials and Corrosion Research Group and Director of IPCC company. Co-author of more than 100 publications with around 1500 citations. Her research interests are in the field of the materials science, corrosion of all types of materials, microstructure and biocompatibility of new materials, nanomechanical testing and surface treatments of materials.
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EXCITING AND PROMISING NEW CLASS OF MATERIALS FOR THE FUTURE: HIGH ENTROPY ALLOYS
In the current context of rapid technological advances and growing industrial challenges, the development of advanced materials has become a fundamental pillar for scientific and economic progress. Among these innovations, high entropy alloys (HEAs) represent one of the most disruptive and promising proposals in contemporary materials science. Unlike conventional alloys, which are based on one or two main elements, HEAs are composed of multiple elements in near-equiatomic proportions, resulting in highly disordered atomic configurations and unique emergent properties. This new paradigm in materials design has opened up unprecedented opportunities to overcome traditional limitations in mechanical strength, thermal stability, corrosion resistance and behavior in extreme environments. This phenomenon challenges the classical principles of metallurgy and raises new fundamental questions about the relationship between composition, microstructure and properties. Exploring the advances, challenges and future prospects of high-entropy alloys allows us not only to better understand these materials of the future, but also to foster the interdisciplinary collaboration necessary to bring these innovations from the laboratory to real-world applications.

Iulian ANTONIAC
Professor
Department of Materials Science and Physical Metallurgy, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering,
National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, ROMANIA
Iulian Antoniac is Full Professor in Materials Engineering and Biomaterials, Habil in Materials Engineering, Member of the Academy of Romanian Scientist, Member of American Romanian Academy of Art and Sciences, Past President of the International Society for Ceramics in Medicine (ISCM) and President of the Romanian Society for Biomaterials. He is author of over 300 publications with more than 6500 citations (Hirsh Index 46 in GScholar, 40 in Scopus, 34 in WoS). He was recognized as Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE) for his worldwide contribution in biomaterials field. Prof. Antoniac was listed in Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist for last 3 consecutive years. His research interests are in the field of materials science and engineering, especially biomaterials; biodegradable metals; coatings; surface characterization; medical devices.
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MAGNESIUM-BASED ALLOYS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS: WHERE WE ARE NOW ?
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the applications made by Mg-based alloys across different medical specializations: cardiovascular, orthopedics, stomatology, general surgery, and neurosurgery. The main Mg-based alloys will be presented from fundamental aspects to experimental characterization and testing methods, following key aspects like alloying, fabrication techniques, surface modifications, testing media, implant design, animal testing. Experimental results obtained after using different characterization methods will be shown, from microstructural features to biocompatibility evaluation. Also, the challenges and prospects of biodegradable Mg-based implants will be discussed.