From June 30 to July 1, 2026, Brno became the venue for top-tier scientific discourse in the field of materials science.
The Institute of Physics of Materials of the CAS (IPM CAS) hosted the international workshop BWS 2026 (Bainite Workshop), a prestigious meeting focused on the latest trends and findings in bainitic and martensitic transformations. This event confirmed IPM CAS’s position as a respected European research center and a key player in the development of modern metallurgy.
Expert Program in the Context of a Sustainable Future
The workshop program included 11 keynote lectures presenting the latest scientific progress with a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of modern technologies. The topics discussed were closely aligned with the objectives of the PSSITE project, which focuses on enhancing security in sustainable transport and energy.
The main research areas included:
- Bainite Modeling: Advanced simulations of structural changes enabling precise prediction of properties for new generations of high-strength steels.
- In-situ Studies of Transformation Kinetics: Real-time monitoring of processes within materials, which is crucial for optimizing manufacturing procedures.
- Fatigue Behavior of Materials: Research into the resistance and durability of components critical for the structural integrity of modern transport systems.
- Hydrogen Degradation of Martensitic Steels: A key topic for future energy and the hydrogen economy, focused on material durability under extreme conditions.
Exclusive Meeting of Elite Institutions
The workshop was designed as an exclusive platform for in-depth discussion, achieved through a limited number of participants to ensure high-quality interaction. A total of 20 top specialists attended, with 17 traveling from abroad to join the expert team of three representatives from IPM CAS.
The international prestige of the event was highlighted by the participation of leading scientific institutions and universities:
- TU Delft (Netherlands)
- Aix-Marseille University/CNRS (France)
- TU Wien and Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
- Materials Center Leoben (Austria)
- CENIM-CSIC (Spain)
- voestalpine Precision Strip – the participation of this industrial partner emphasized the workshop’s importance for the direct transfer of basic research results into industrial practice.
Organization and networking
Key credit for bringing this prestigious meeting to Brno and IPM CAS goes to Dr. Jiří Svoboda, whose active scientific diplomacy and international renown were decisive. The organizational management and flawless execution of the workshop were led by Dr. Denisa Bárková and Dr. Ivo Kuběna, who successfully created a representative and stimulating environment for top-level scientific work.
Funding and Project Publicity
The workshop was implemented with the financial support of the PSSITE project (Partnership for Security in Sustainable Transport and Energy), reg. no. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_020/0008549.
