With around 135 contributions, AI MSE 2025 offered a compact but scientifically dense platform for exchange and networking. The program included two plenary talks, six highlight lectures, 75 presentations, and 36 poster contributions. The event was complemented by ten poster pitch presentations and four company presentations. All contributions will remain available to participants for 14 days via the event platform.

A Successful Start With the Opening in Bochum

The conference was opened by Prof. Dr. Markus Stricker from the Ruhr University Bochum. On the first day of the event, the poster pitch presentations created a dynamic atmosphere and offered a concise overview of the diversity of the research work. The social event at the “Rote Bete” restaurant provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions in an informal atmosphere and was used by many participants for networking.

The tours of the ZGH also offered special insights. The Center for Interface-Dominated High Performance Materials opened its research laboratories and presented current projects on nanoscale interfaces, high-performance materials, and advanced characterization methods.

High-Caliber Plenary and Highlight Lectures

The scientific focus of AI MSE 2025 was set by two plenary lectures:

• Prof. Dr. Elizabeth A. Holm from the University of Michigan discussed in her lecture “Quality versus quantity: Data frugal machine learning for microstructural science” how data-efficient algorithms are opening up new avenues for microstructural analysis.
• Dr. rer. nat. Tilmann Hickel from the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing highlighted the role of modern data science in AI-supported materials development in his lecture “Leveraging data science technologies to enable AI-driven material design.”

The six highlight lectures explored key research topics in AI-based materials science. The topics ranged from the role of large language models and autonomous design strategies to data-based methods for microstructure characterization and tribological issues. The speakers were Prof. Dr. Taylor D. Sparks (University of Utah), Prof. Dr. Pascal Friederich (KIT), Prof. Dr. Gian-Marco Rignanese (UCLouvain), Dr. Ashish Chauniyal (DLR), Prof. Lars Pastewka (University of Freiburg), and Prof. Jacqui Cole (University of Cambridge).

Award-winning Poster Contributions

Three outstanding contributions were awarded prizes during the poster sessions.

1. First place: Mr. Mahish Guru, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon – Accelerating Materials Discovery: Hybrid Generative AI and Physics-Informed Inverse Design of Magnesium Alloys
2. First place: Mr. Le Yang, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH – SOL-AI – A symbiotic modular foundation model for accelerating solar energy materials development
3. Second place: Ms. Agnieszka Siwiak, Adam Mickiewicz University – Data-Driven Discovery of Coordination Compounds for Nonlinear Optical Terahertz Generation

Thanks to the Program Committee

The implementation of AI MSE 2025 is based on the dedicated work of the Program Committee. Special thanks go to the Chairman, Prof. Dr. Markus Stricker, and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Dr. Alexander Hartmaier (Ruhr University Bochum).

The Program Committee also included:

• Dr. Timo Bernthaler (Aalen University of Applied Science),
• Dr.-Ing. Dominik Britz (Material Engineering Center Saarland MECS),
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tim Dahmen (DFKI),
• Prof. Dr. Janine George (BAM),
• Dr. Kevin Maik Jablonka (Friedrich Schiller University Jena),
• Dr. Martin Müller (MECS),
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Sandfeld (Forschungszentrum Jülich),
• Prof. Dr. Taylor D. Sparks (University of Utah)

Conclusion and Outlook

AI MSE 2025 impressively demonstrated how strongly AI methods are already shaping materials science. Intense discussions during breaks, two poster sessions, conversations with exhibitors, and the conference dinner rounded off the event.

You can find more impressions of the conference in the photo gallery.

We are very pleased to announce the third AI MSE: AI MSE 2027 will take place on 17 to 18 November 2027 in Aalen, successfully continuing the exchange that has already begun.