The 11th edition of the Smart Materials and Surfaces Conference (SMS 2026) and the 8th NanoMedicine International Conference (NanoMed 2026) took place from 21 to 23 October 2026 in Seville, Spain. Organised by SETCOR, the two international conferences brought together researchers, industry representatives and innovators to exchange knowledge and explore advances in smart materials, nanotechnology, nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology and healthcare.
The conferences provided an opportunity for international experts to present recent research, discuss emerging technologies and establish new collaborations through specialised technical sessions and networking activities.
The SSbD4CheM project was represented by three project partners, with colleagues from NOVEX (María Martínez Falcón and Pablo Tovillas) and NIC (Ondrej Panák) contributing two oral presentations and one poster presentation across the two conferences.
At the SMS 2026, María Martínez Falcón (NOVEX) presented a poster, on 21 and 22 October, entitled “Safe and Sustainable Bio-Based Functional Coatings for Textiles by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Polymerization”. The poster showcased the development of bio-based multifunctional textile coatings within SSbD4CheM, using atmospheric pressure plasma polymerisation as an alternative to conventional textile finishing processes. The research focused on developing PFAS-free coatings with hydrophobic, self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties, highlighting the potential of atmospheric plasma technology for textile surface functionalisation and the importance of integrating safety and sustainability considerations into material development.
Also at the SMS 2026, Pablo Tovillas (NOVEX) delivered an oral presentation on 21 October during Session I.A “Multifunctional Materials & Surfaces / Nano-Systems / Adaptive Materials and Structures”, entitled “Integrating Safe and Sustainable by Design into the Development of Bio-Based Functional Textile Coatings: The SSbD4CheM Textile Case Study”. The presentation provided an overview of the SSbD4CheM textile case study, focusing on bio-based functional coatings as alternatives to conventional PFAS- and metal-based textile treatments. It covered the application of atmospheric pressure plasma technology, optimisation of processing parameters, and assessment of hydrophobic, self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties. Particular attention was given to coating durability, evaluated through washing, rubbing and weathering tests, as well as complementary characterisation activities conducted by several SsbD4CheM project partners. These included chemical analysis, VOC emissions, coating thickness and toxicity assessments. The presentation highlighted how the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach is integrated throughout the development process, balancing technical performance with safety and environmental considerations.
At the NanoMed 2026, Ondrej Panák (NIC) delivered an oral presentation on 21 October in Session I.C “Bio-Medical Materials & Living Surfaces / Bio-Nanofabrication & Engineering”, entitled “Nanocellulose as a Cosmetic Ingredient through an SSbD Lens”. The presentation explored the implementation of SSbD principles in the application of nanocellulose as an ingredient in cosmetic products, demonstrating the relevance of the SSbD approach in the cosmetic sector.
Through these three contributions, SSbD4CheM strengthened the visibility of its research and results among international scientific and industrial audiences. In particular, the presentations highlighted the project’s work on developing safer and more sustainable material alternatives and demonstrated how SSbD principles can guide innovation across different application sectors, including textiles and cosmetics.
The Book of Abstracts of the conferences is available here.
