4D Materials Design and Additive Manufacturing Conference 2026
will be organised by Dublin City University, Ireland
Event Links
The 5th international 4D Materials Design and Additive Manufacturing Conference 2026 (4DMDA 2026) is organised by Dublin City University and the 4D Printing Society. The conference will showcase the latest developments and technologies in smart materials, metamaterials, intelligent designs, modelling, additive manufacturing, and 3D/4D printing. It seeks to address current concerns in the further development of 3D/4D printed devices and provides a forum for internationally recognised experts and young scientists working in the fields of smart materials, metamaterials, advanced design, modelling and simulation, and 3D/4D printing technologies to present their work.
This conference is scheduled to take place on July 9-10, 2026, in Dublin City University, Ireland.
4D Materials Design and Additive Manufacturing Conference 2026 aims to bring together the most recent research on a variety of exciting topics such as (but not limited to):
Design methods for smart materials and additive manufacturing using computational techniques (artificial intelligence, optimisation, geometric reasoning, etc.).
Development of new functional and active materials.
Characterisation methods for functional and active materials.
Design of metamaterials and metastructures, lattice generation strategies.
Advanced additive manufacturing techniques of smart materials (multi-material techniques, hybrid additive manufacturing, closed-loop 3D printing, bioprinting, etc.).
Advanced modelling and simulation (mechanics of materials, constitutive modelling, shape memory effects, multi-physics, stimuli-responsive, coupling effects, etc.).
Industrialisation and applications (health, sport, aerospace, automotive, defense, civil, etc.).
The 4D Printing Society invites abstracts and papers from researchers, students, and working professionals from academia as well as industry within the scope of the conference topics.
A half-day workshop / training school will also be held one day before the conference (July 8, 2026) for students, early-career researchers, and professionals interested in advanced materials and manufacturing.
Speakers are invited to submit 1-page abstract. Please use this template: 4DMDA-2026_Abstract_Template.
To attend the conference as a speaker, please submit your 1-page abstract (1 PDF file including title, list of authors, affiliations, maximum of 1000 words, and keywords) via the following submission tab no later than 30 March, 2026.
Abstracts will be peer-reviewed, and authors will be notified of acceptance/revision/rejection.
At least one author of every accepted abstract must register for the conference via the Eventbrite online payment. Please check the registration section.
Non-submitters are also welcome to attend the conference as audience members.
All participants are invited to submit their high-quality full-length papers or short communications for peer-review and publication in the journals of Smart Materials and Structures, or 4D Printing.
Four speakers will be chosen for the Best Presentation Awards conferred at the end of the conference. The judging panel comprises four directors from the 4D Printing Society. Judges will decide on the awards based on the quality of both the written abstract and the presentation. The winners will receive a €40 Amazon voucher plus an official certificate from 4D Printing Society with the title of “Best Research Work presented – 4D Materials Design and Additive Manufacturing Conference 2026”.
The 4D Printing Society will also recognise four Outstanding Leaders from across the globe whose significant and consistent achievements have shaped the global advancement of 4D materials and printing. They will be formally awarded by the 4D Printing Society for their exceptional contributions at the conclusion of the conference.
We look forward to receiving your abstracts and full-length journal papers. For further information, please contact: info@4dprintings.com.
Important Dates:
Submission for Abstracts Opening: 12 January 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 March 2026
Early bird (Student / General) Registration Deadline: 12 April 2026
Regular (Student / General) Registration Deadline: 30 May 2026
Conference Days: 9 – 10 July 2026
Conference Programme:
Final information and presentation schedule will be announced in June.
Workshop / Training School Programme:
11:00-12:00: Digitisation of the additive manufacturing process
12:00-13:00: 4D printing of metals and polymers
13:00-14:00: Lunch
14:00-15:00: Materials characterisation techniques
15:00-16:00: How to write a journal paper
16:00-17:00: Lab tour
For registration, please see registration section below.
Keynote Speakers
Dermot Brabazon, Dublin City University, Ireland (Executive Chair)
Mahdi Bodaghi, Nottingham Trent University, UK (Co-Chair)
Ali Zolfagharian, Deakin University, Australia (Co-Chair)
Technical Committees
Local Organising Committee
Ms. Joan Kelly (Manager)
Dr. Inam Ul Ahad
Dr. Ronan McCann
Dr. Lorna Fitzsomines
Dr. Mercedez Vazquez
Dr. Brian Freeland
Dr. Tanya Levingston
International Scientific Committee
TBC
If you require a visa to attend the conference and need an invitation letter to support your application, we are happy to assist you.To request an invitation letter, please contact us at joan.kelly@dcu.ie or info@4dprintings.com with your full name, home address, organisation address, passport number, nationality, and other relevant details after registration so the organiser can provide an invitation letter to help facilitate your visa application process,
Dublin City University, Polaris Building, Glasnevin Campus, Dublin 9.
Ha’penny Bridge
Dublin Coastline
Canoeing on Liffey
Guiness Storehouse Dublin
The registration is open now and fees for speakers and audiences are listed below:
Fees:
- Early bird (Student): €500
- Early bird (General): €650
- Regular (Student): €600
- Regular (General): €750
- Invited speakers: €325
- Workshop / Traning School: €200
- Additional abstract submission: €200
- Accompanying guest (Dinner ONLY:) €100
Registration fees include conference attendance/documentation, welcome reception, coffee/tea breaks, lunch, Gala Dinner.
Be sure that at least one author/delegate, or audience member registers to attend the conference using the online registration system. Each abstract must have at least one author/delegate registered, with the payment received by the registration deadline (see Important Dates) to avoid being withdrawn from the conference. Authors are allowed to submit additional abstracts for an extra charge of €200.
Registrations are being taken via the following Link.
Conference Refund Policy.
