Nanotechnology is the science of the infinitesimally small, and it impacts every aspect of our lives! Imagine some extremely tiny “building blocks,” almost invisible to us! With these, scientists create new materials that can self-heal, be lightweight, durable, or mimic nature. What do we know about them?

Science For You – SciFY invites you to a SciFY Academy event dedicated to new innovative materials, Nanotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence. The event “New Materials, Nanotechnology & AI #2: Designing the Future” will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 19:00, at Impact Hub Athens (Karaiskaki 28, Athens). Distinguished researchers, internationally renowned professors, and business executives will speak to us in simple terms about the subject.

Participation is free and open to everyone!
Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited.
A Certificate of Attendance will be provided to those who wish.

Book your free ticket here

We invite you to discuss key issues such as:

• How nanotechnology and “smart” laboratories accelerate the creation of new, durable materials.
• How 3D printing and printed electronics open new avenues for innovative constructions, including robotics.
• How AI contributes to the design of aerospace structures.
• What secrets do material surfaces hide, and how does AI help us exploit them in applications ranging from medicine to microelectronics?
• How component reconstruction and the use of advanced materials offer economic and environmental benefits while supporting local economies.
• How AI in the physical sciences helps us make discoveries and innovate.

See the event program here

A few words about the speakers and content:

First, Prof. Lazaros Tzounis, Associate Professor at the Hellenic Mediterranean University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, recently elected to the Department of Physics at the University of Ioannina, and Director & Founder of the CSD-3D Lab – Laboratory of 3D Printing of Composite Materials, Advanced Structures & Electronic Devices, will introduce us in simple terms to the world of New Materials and 3D Printing, with numerous applications in automotive, energy, aerospace, robotics, and more. Among other topics, his talk will cover:

• Printed and flexible electronics that can be used in wearable health devices, aerospace, space applications, etc.
• Devices for harvesting thermal energy and converting it into electricity, e.g., from body heat loss, internal combustion engines, pipelines, etc.
• Customized 3D architectures & structures widely used in robotics, healthcare, and other applications.

Then, Dr. Vassilis Constantoudis, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NCSR “Demokritos”, will introduce us, in an inspiring and accessible way, to the strange world of surfaces and the role of artificial intelligence in exploring them. In particular, the following questions will be examined:

• How can the surface of a material give it beneficial properties, applied in ultrasensitive biopsies or in the creation of more energy-efficient electronic circuits?
• Are the mathematics we already have sufficient to understand their complexity?
• Can AI assist in their analysis and understanding, and how?

Next, Dr. Constantinos Charitidis, Professor and Mr. Savvas Orfanidis, Phd, Material Engineer, PhD Researcher at the School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, will discuss how nanomechanics and autonomous laboratories contribute to the design and study of new materials. Their talk will address questions such as:

• How nanomechanics enables us to control materials through reliable tests that simulate real production conditions.
• How AI and “smart” laboratories can lead to autonomous, self-optimizing experiments, reducing the time and cost of discovering new technologies.
• How component reconstruction gives a “second life” to materials, providing economic benefits, a smaller environmental footprint, faster availability, and support for the local economy.

Mr. Christoforos Rekatsinas, Ph.D., Researcher at NCSR “Demokritos” and co-founder of the INSANE Group, will give a talk titled “From Theory to Practice: How Artificial Intelligence Shows Us the Way to Develop Durable and Sustainable Materials in Aerospace and Energy Production”, showing how machine learning:

• Contributes to the design of aerospace structures
• Helps assess the properties of biomaterials for energy production
• Predicts wear and durability of aerospace structures, enhancing safety and sustainability

Finally, Dr. Niki Vergadou, Researcher at the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NCSR “Demokritos”, will present “Physical Sciences and Artificial Intelligence: Particularities and Challenges”, addressing questions such as:

• How far back in time are the foundations of AI?
• Physical Sciences, Models, and Data: Is this relationship new?
• What are the prerequisites for AI to contribute to scientific knowledge and discovery?

SciFY Academy is an open series of educational activities, organized by the non-profit organization Science For You – SciFY, dedicated to the free dissemination of knowledge. So far, more than 10,000 people have benefited, and the activities continue!

Through the SciFY Academy initiative, SciFY aims to create a platform for dialogue, bringing together people from research, business, and civil society with citizens, students, and professionals. The goal is to learn from the recent past, understand current developments, and stay informed about both emerging and established technologies. To be inspired by scientific achievements and shed more light on issues that significantly affect our lives.

We look forward to exploring the “magical world” of new materials and their impact on our lives.

Register for free participation here: http://go.scify.gr/sfacIN51Tickets

Short Bios of the Speakers: https://go.scify.gr/sfacIN51Speakers