[Image above] ACerS International members attend the “Next-Generation Ceramics for a Sustainable Future” Roundtable Credit:ACerS
With growing demand for next-generation ceramics offering superior performance for frontier applications across aerospace, thermo-structural systems, energy, manufacturing, biomedical, and nuclear sectors, strong collaboration among academia, research laboratories and industries has become essential. Moreover, the challenges of sustainable development and the growing demands of green and energy-efficient technologies require innovative ceramic materials, manufacturing, characterization, and recycling technologies. Ceramics are poised to be enablers of a sustainable, low‑carbon economy, but only if their value chains are redesigned for lower energy consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, and better circularity. These ceramic materials combine tailored functional and structural performance with explicit design for sustainability across raw materials, processing, use, and end‑of‑life goals. In this context, the more than 100-year-old Department of Ceramic Engineering at IIT (BHU) Varanasi, in association with the ACerS International Northeast India Chapter, organized the 5th Global Ceramic Leadership Roundtable on “Next-Generation Ceramics for a Sustainable Future (NGCSF 2026).”
The conference brought together leading academicians, researchers, industry professionals, and early-career innovators to deliberate on the evolving landscape of advanced ceramic materials. Over the course of two days, the conference facilitated insightful discussions, high-quality technical presentations, and meaningful exchanges on cutting-edge themes ranging from functional and structural ceramics to sustainability-driven innovations, energy materials, bio-ceramics, and emerging data-driven approaches. The engaging plenary and keynote lectures, vibrant poster sessions, and the highly interactive roundtable discussion collectively underscored the critical role of ceramics in enabling a sustainable, low-carbon future. The event not only highlighted recent scientific advancements but also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and strong academia–industry partnerships to address global challenges. NGCSF 2026 has provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and fostering future collaborations. The enthusiasm and active participation of delegates, speakers, and organizers contributed immensely to the success of this event. It is anticipated that the ideas and discussions initiated here will translate into impactful research, technological innovations, and sustainable solutions in the field of ceramic science and engineering.
The organizers express their sincere gratitude to all speakers, participants, sponsors, and supporting staff for their invaluable contributions, and look forward to continued engagement in future editions of NGCSF.
Themes:
- Functional, Structural & Advanced Engineering Ceramics
- High-Entropy, Environment-Conscious & Self-Healing Ceramics
- Modelling, Simulation & Data-Driven / AI-Assisted Design
- Surface Coatings & Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
- Nuclear Systems & Radiation-Resistant Ceramics
- Energy Conversion & Storage Materials
- Next-Generation Bio-ceramics & Bio-inspired Materials
- Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics
- Glass, Refractories & Composites
- Waste-Derived & Sustainable Materials
- Nano-ceramics, Catalysis & Environmental Remediation
- Transparent, Optical, Quantum, Photonic & Electronic Applications
- Reliability, Life Prediction & Failure Analysis
Conference Schedule:
- Venue: IIT(BHU), Varanasi
- February 17th to 18th, 2026
Organizing Committee:
- Patron: Amit Patra, Director, IIT(BHU), Varanasi
- Organizing Chair: Ashutosh Kumar Dubey, Head, Dept. of Ceramic Engineering
- Organizing Co-Chair: L. K. Sharma, Northeast India Chapter AcerS
- Organizing Secretary: Pradip Kumar Roy
- Organizing Co-Secretary: Pavan Pujar
- Organizing Co-Secretary: Kaushik Sarkar
- Treasurer: Kundan Kumar
- Team members: Vinay Kumar Singh, Prof. Manas Ranjan Majhi, Dr. Preetam Singh, Dr. Imteyaz Ahmad, Dr. Santanu Das, Dr. Subrata Panda, Dr. R. K. Chaturvedi
Inauguration Details:
| 09:00 | Welcoming guests by presenting Bouquets | |
| 09:05 | Lightening of the lamp | |
| 09:10 | Kulgeet (Institute song) | |
| 09:15 | Welcome address | Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Dubey Head of the Department & Organizing Chair |
| 09:18 | About ACerS | Dr. L. K. Sharma, Chair, ACerS NEIndia Chapter & Organizing Co-Chair, |
| 09:21 | About NGCSF 2026 | Dr. Pradip Kumar Roy, Organizing Secretary |
| 09:24 | Address by Distinguished Guests | · Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Director, Clay Craft India Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur |
| 09:34 | Address by the Guest of Honour | · Prof. Bikramjit Basu, Director, CSIR-CGCRI, Kolkata |
| 09:39 | Address by Chief Guest | · Dr. Mrityunjay Singh, Ohio Aerospace Institute & Past President –AcerS |
| 09:44 | Director Address | Prof. Amit Patra, Director, IIT (BHU) & Patron, NGCSF 2026 |
| 09:49 | Souvenir release and mementos presentation | |
| 09:55 | Vote of thanks | Dr. Pavan Pujar, Organizing Co-Secretary |
