In recent years, rapid advances in soft robotics, smart materials, and miniature tools have opened up exciting prospects for biomedical and healthcare technologies. From centimetre-scale actuators to microrobotic systems, innovations in materials engineering and manufacturing methods are transforming diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and minimally invasive procedures.
The combination of flexible, stimuli-sensitive materials with advanced manufacturing techniques now enables the development of adaptive, multifunctional systems. By integrating materials design with multi-scale manufacturing strategies, researchers can precisely control deformation, movement, and sensing across various size ranges.
This meeting aims to bring together researchers from physics, chemistry, materials science, robotics, and mechanical engineering. It will provide a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, share the latest results, and initiate interdisciplinary collaborations. Discussions will focus on new manufacturing methods, innovative materials, and system integration for flexible and/or miniaturised technologies for healthcare applications.
The event is scheduled for November 23-25, 2026, and will feature oral presentations and poster sessions. This event will take place in Belgium as a collaboration between ULB (TIPs Laboratory), UMONS (SMPC Laboratory), KULeuven (Soft Robotics Group) and Waseda University.
Participants from fields other than medical applications are also welcome.