The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) is organizing and hosting the 2^nd Global Forum on Advanced Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Development (GFMAT-2) and the 4^th International Conference on Innovations in Biomaterials, Biomanufacturing and Biotechnologies (Bio-4), in Toronto, Canada from July 21-26, 2019.

GFMAT-2 will address various key issues, challenges and opportunities in a wide variety of advanced materials and technologies which are critically needed for the sustainable societal development. Bio-4 is following successful meetings held in Raleigh, North Carolina (2012), Columbus, Ohio (2014), and Chicago, Illinois (2016).

The focus of these concurrent meetings will lay on recent societal challenges in the new millennium including, but not being limited to, health, energy, and environmental aspects. In addition, novel materials design paradigms are needed for fabricating materials with multifunctional applications which can bring game changing solutions to some of the problems facing the society. This event aims to bring together researchers and scientists from around the globe to discuss new approaches in addressing these challenges, and to provide a platform for intensive exchange of ideas, knowledge, and network building.

Meeting description–GFMAT-2

The global population growth and tremendous economic development has brought us at the crossroads of long term sustainability and risk of irreversible changes in the ecosystem. Sustainability has become an integral component of research for the 21^st century. The key motivating factors are, (a) rapid urbanization, population growth, and ageing population, (b) the large amount of waste yearly disposed to landfill, (c) the global impoverishing of natural resources and environment (fossil fuels, minerals, water and energy scarcity), (d) declining infrastructure, (e) the emergency of carbon dioxide emissions, and (f) climate change.

For instance, the development of new biomarkers for reliable detection of diseases at early stage, molecular imaging, targeting and therapy are crucial for a healthy society, while the development of more efficient energy conversion technologies, fuel cells and batteries are an essential step facing the increasing demand for energy supply. Energy efficient and eco-friendly technologies and systems are critically needed for further growth and sustainable development. Consequently, recent research trends globally cover the search for alternative and reusable energies, for fast and reliable medical diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and for new functional materials—as well as new (“greener,” more efficient) synthesis approaches—that exhibit unique properties allowing for their implementation in health, energy, and environment related applications. GFMAT-2 is co-organized by ACerS Engineering Ceramics Division

Meeting description–Bio-4

This is the fourth in a series of biomaterial meetings organized by The American Ceramic Society that emphasizes collaboration between R&D, medical practitioners, and biomedical materials manufacturers and marketers to better develop emerging technologies into marketable products. Cutting-edge research and product developments related to novel materials for orthopedic, dental, oral, and maxillofacial applications; advanced manufacturing technologies including 3-D printing; nanomedicine; multifunctional biomaterials; point-of-care sensors and diagnostic devices; and more will be featured. In addition, a symposium on “Glasses for Healthcare Applications” to honor Delbert E. Day is planned.

This robust technical program will provide a forum for scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and industrial researchers to discuss recent advances in the fields of biomaterials, biomanufacturing, and biotechnologies. Bio-4 is co-organized by ACerS Bioceramics Division and is endorsed by the Society for Biomaterials and the Biomedical Engineering Society.