Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop

Workshop

Frontiers of Materials That Learn: A Workshop

October 2, 2025

7:20 AM - 5:00 PM (ET)

Past

Discussion

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Agenda

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Materials

About

New advances in materials research are unlocking the potential of materials that learn. These materials—whether networks of physical resistors, a vibrating metal plate, a 3D-printed structure, or synthetic DNA—have the ability to sense and adapt to new environments, perform intelligent tasks such as image recognition, and serve a structural purpose. These physical systems consume less power and are more robust to damage than traditional electronic materials, making them particularly useful for high radiation or aqueous environments.

Explore the latest breakthroughs in materials that learn by joining us in Washington, D.C. or online on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 8:20am-6:00pm ET. This workshop will bring together researchers from across materials design, condensed matter physics, biomaterials, and industry to discuss new opportunities for materials that learn, and how to move towards the scalable design and manufacturing of these learning systems. Topics of discussion will include the implementation of physical learning in physical systems and the use of biological, physical, and chemical systems as substrates for intelligent behavior—from DNA tiles to robot swarms.

In-person attendees are invited to share their thoughts during afternoon breakout sessions where participants will identify goals and challenges for the field and discuss next steps.

This workshop is organized by the National Academies’ Condensed Matter and Materials Research Committee (CMMRC).

(Note: registration is optional - the event will be webcast on this page.)

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Location

Keck Center

500 5th St NW

Washington DC 20001, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #9)

September 16, 2025

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM (ET)

Past

About

This is a recurring planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #8)

September 4, 2025

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

This is a recurring planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #7)

August 22, 2025

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (ET)

Past

About

This is a recurring planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #6)

July 3, 2025

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

This is a recurring planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #5)

June 12, 2025

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (ET)

Past

About

This is a semi-weekly planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #4)

May 23 - 30, 2025

Past

About

This is a semi-weekly planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #3)

May 9, 2025

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

This is a weekly planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Planning Session (Meeting #2)

May 2, 2025

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

Past

About

This is a weekly planning call for the workshop organizers.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Composition, Balance, and Conflict of Interest Discussion Make-up (Meeting #1b)

May 2, 2025

10:40 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

This is a make-up for those members unable to attend the first bias and conflict discussion.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Tele Conference Closed

Frontiers of Learning Materials: A Workshop - Composition, Balance, and Conflict of Interest Discussion (Meeting #1)

April 28, 2025

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (ET)

Past

About

This meeting is for the committee's bias and conflict discussion.

Contact

Linda Walker

lwalker@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

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Frontiers of Materials That Learn: A Workshop