From 09 to 10 April 2025, the 6^th Hybrid Materials and Structures Conference brought together researchers and industry experts at the Space Expo Museum in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. With a total of 29 contributions, the event offered a diverse overview of current developments in hybrid materials research.

Linking Materials Science and Space Technology

The choice of the Space Expo Museum as the venue underlined the connection between materials research and space applications. This was reflected in the two plenary lectures:
Dr. Tommaso Ghidini (ESA) gave insights into “Material and Structure for Space and in Space,” highlighting material use in space missions, while Dr. Thomas Beumler (Airbus) addressed “Damage Tolerance for Aircraft Structures” and the transfer of knowledge from Dutch research labs into aviation industry practice.

Interdisciplinary and International Perspectives

The conference featured technical talks, poster presentations, and pitch sessions that covered both scientific fundamentals and industrial applications. Attendees from Germany, Austria, Japan, Poland, and the Netherlands contributed a wide range of perspectives and encouraged in-depth discussion on methods, materials, and real-world integration.

The thematic sessions included:

• Basics: Material concepts, sustainability, interfaces, aging, and corrosion
• Characterization: Destructive and non-destructive testing, quality assurance
• Design: Component development, simulation, data-driven design approaches
• Production: Manufacturing, joining techniques, recycling, disassembly
• Operation: Condition monitoring, maintenance, lifecycle analysis
• Special Session: Thermoset-Thermoplastic Hybrid Composites – a focus on novel connections and application challenges

Networking by the Sea

Beyond the scientific sessions, the conference created numerous opportunities for networking and informal exchange. The poster session and the social evening at Beachclub Bries were particularly well received and fostered new connections across national and disciplinary borders.

A Look Behind the Scenes at ESA-ESTEC

A guided tour of ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) rounded off the event. Participants were given rare insights into ongoing space projects and the technological backbone of European space missions.

Acknowledging the Organizing Team

The successful realization of the event was made possible by the commitment of the scientific committee. Special thanks go to the chairpersons:

• Prof. Dr. ir. René C. Alderliesten, Delft University of Technology
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim M. Hausmann, Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials (IVW)
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel von Hehl, University of Siegen
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kay André Weidenmann, University of Augsburg

Presentations Available Online

All conference contributions are available to registered participants via the event platform until 24 April 2025. The event's official photo gallery has also been published.

The Hybrid 2025 conference once again highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary exchange and the close collaboration between research and industry for the advancement of hybrid materials and structural technologies.