About
We are happy to announce the Artificial Intelligence, Neuromorphic Learning, and Quantum Technologies for Functional Materials (ANQFM) workshop that will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece from 1 to 5 June 2026, co-organized by the COST Action DAEMON and the EXTRA-BRAIN project.
Scope
Advancing neuromorphic, quantum, and artificial intelligence (AI) computing requires materials engineered for demanding functionalities, e.g. low switching energy, quantum coherence, nonlinear optical response, or spin-based control. Conversely, accelerating materials discovery calls for computing methods capable of tackling complex, high-dimensional problems where traditional approaches fall short. In this regard, neuromorphic, quantum, and AI-driven computing are emergent tools for modeling dynamics, learning structure–property relationships, and simulating quantum phenomena.
AI is becoming a central tool for the discovery and design of materials essential to future computing. Deep learning models, trained on large-scale datasets, such as the Materials Project and others, are able to predict materials properties such as stability, band gaps and thermal conductivity, with near-DFT accuracy at orders-of-magnitude faster speeds. Similarly, generative AI approaches enable to tailor materials with target properties by-passing the screening of combinatorially large chemical spaces. Recent notable milestone have been demonstrated, for example, in applying AI-accelerated modeling to investigate spintronic and phase-change materials.
Quantum computing is beginning to impact molecular and materials science by simulating quantum states that are classically intractable. Quantum computing methods have been indeed applied to problems spanning from surface chemistry to molecular design.
Neuromorphic computing is being explored as a hardware accelerator for combinatorial and trajectory optimization-core challenges in materials modeling. Physical annealing architectures, phase-change memory, and spintronic elements have demonstrated promising results in solving optimization problems also including band gap and chemical reaction classification.
The convergence of neuromorphic, quantum, and AI-driven computing holds the potential to transform materials science, promising orders-of-magnitude improvements in solving core challenges such as electronic structure prediction, phase behavior analysis, and finite-temperature effects. Crucially, the development of these computational systems must proceed in tandem with the materials that enable them-advances in modeling not only accelerate discovery but also provide the physical insights needed to engineer the materials underpinning next-generation computing.
Realizing this vision requires a co-design approach-fostering continuous dialogue and integration between computational scientists and materials researchers.
In this workshop, we will showcase how these cutting-edge computing paradigms are enhancing first-principles methods in materials science and quantum chemistry. Topics will include the intersection of innovative algorithms, theoretical frameworks, and high-performance computing architectures, all directed toward the design of functional materials. By bringing together experts across disciplines, we thus aim to catalyze transdisciplinary collaboration and build enduring connections among the communities driving forward both computational innovation and materials discovery.
Participating Institutions
- School of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh)
- Materials Science and Engineering, TU Delft
- Division of Computational Science and Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Information Technologies Institute (ITI), Centre of Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)
Organisation
- Prof. Joseph Kioseoglou, AUTH, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Prof. Kevin Rossi, TU Delft, Nederlands
- Prof. Pawel Andrzej Herman, KTH, Sweden
- Dr. Theodoros Pavloudis, AUTh, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Dr. Konstantinos Votis, ITI, CERTH, Greece
- Dr. Ilias Kalamaras, ITI, CERTH, Greece
Registration
Registration and optional abstract submission for oral and poster presentations are now closed
Please note that the deadline for registration is 5 May, due to the high number of potential participants already registered.
Workshop Structure
Day 1 will include registration until noon, followed by the official opening of the workshop in the afternoon. The opening session will include a plenary lecture and introductory presentations of the DAEMON and EXTRA_BRAIN projects.
A poster session will take place on the 2nd day.
A social dinner (3rd day) will be organized, with each participant covering their own expenses. Dinner registration will close at noon on Day 2 (to be confirmed).
The workshop will conclude at noon on Friday, 5 June 2026.
Invited Speakers
- Dr. Ivor Lončarić, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Croatia
- Dr. Ahsan Javed Awan, Ericsson Research
- Prof. Federico Grasselli, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena, Italy
- Prof. Milica Todorovic, University of Turku, Finland
- Prof. Artur Podobas, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
- Dr. Jonathan Schmidt, EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland
- Dr. Srdjan Stavrić, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Serbia
- Dr. Panagiotis Dimitrakis, Institute of Quantum Computing and Quantum Technology at NCSR Demokritos, Greece
- Dr. Oscar Garcia Perales (ICE/i4RI)
- Prof. Sotirios Goudos, Department of Physics, AUTH, Greece
- Prof. Pawel Andrzej Herman, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Scientific Program
Venue
Aristotle University Research Dissemination Center (KEDEA)
240 m northeast of Panepistimio Metro Station on Leof. 3rd Septemvriou
This workshop is supported by the Special Account for Research Funds (ELKE).