News

Meeting YCN members and representatives from different countries in person was a wonderful experience for both of us, as it enabled us to exchange experiences and strengthen connections so that we can continue working together to connect the ceramics community.

One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the opportunity to interact with participants at different career stages, from both academia and industry. It was an excellent time to meet BSc, MSc, and PhD students during the poster sessions, where we had great discussions about ongoing projects, research challenges, and future goals. These conversations offered a fresh perspective on emerging research topics and reminded us of the importance of mentorship and collaboration across different career levels. The poster session itself was highly interactive and managed to create a welcoming environment for open discussion and idea exchange.

The talks we had the chance to hear explored cutting-edge topics ranging from metal oxide thin films for energy and environmental applications, sustainable battery recycling, and innovative ceramic-faced armor development, to nanostructured ceramic membranes and additive manufacturing for dental implants. Furthermore, industry experts highlighted how advanced ceramic technologies are shaping sectors such as aerospace, consumer electronics, and high-performance coatings.

 Presenting own work during the conference and participating in the student pitch (Bahareh) and poster (Emilija) session was an exciting and rewarding experience. Receiving the second-place award was a truly motivating milestone for both of us, reinforcing our confidence in communicating the research topics we work on and engaging with the broader scientific and industrial community.

The Young Ceramists Network (YCN) played a key role in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for early-career researchers. The get-together event brought a lot of well-deserved fun (including a tombola that made Emilija a proud owner of a DKG mug!) into the event. As YCN representatives of Finland and Serbia, we were able to build new connections with peers across Europe. What stood out most was the openness and positivity of the community that brings together researchers, industry professionals, and students in a way that encourages collaboration and long-term engagement.

Overall, the experience strengthened our confidence, broadened our research outlook, and highlighted the importance of connecting science with real-world applications. We are truly grateful to the organizers and to all participants for such an inspiring event, and we look forward to new ones in the future.

Bahareh Javanpour

Tampere University

Bahareh.javanpour@tuni.fi

LinkedIn Profile

Emilija Nidžović

Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences

emilija.nidzovic@vin.bg.ac.rs

LinkedIn Profile