Themes

This topic focuses on the design, formulation, and structural characterization of nuclear waste glasses. It covers relationships between glass composition, atomic structure, and physicochemical properties, as well as diffusion mechanisms, phase separation, and crystallization phenomena. Particular attention will be given to the influence of waste composition on glass stability, solubility limits, and phase evolution during processing and cooling.

This topic explores the development and characterization of glass-ceramics, glass composites, and ceramic materials for nuclear waste immobilization and other advanced applications. It addresses material design, controlled crystallization, phase assemblages, microstructural evolution, and structure–property relationships. Emphasis will be placed on processing routes, chemical durability, thermal stability, and the ability of these materials to incorporate complex chemical elements.

This topic addresses conventional and emerging vitrification technologies, from laboratory-scale developments to industrial applications. It covers melting technologies, furnace design, process control, off-gas management, and operational challenges associated with complex waste streams. Particular attention will be given to process optimization, energy efficiency, technological innovations, and the development of more sustainable and robust vitrification processes.

This topic focuses on the fundamental physicochemical properties and chemical behavior of glass melts at high temperatures. It encompasses viscosity, rheology, redox equilibria, thermal and electrical conductivity, thermodynamics, and chemical reactivity. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationships between melt composition, structure, and properties, including gas evolution, dissolution phenomena, and interactions with refractory materials, to support the optimization of glass formulations and melting processes.

This topic highlights computational approaches for understanding and predicting the behavior of glass materials and vitrification processes. It covers atomistic simulations, thermodynamic modeling, multiphysics approaches, and computational fluid dynamics, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence. Particular attention will be given to multiscale modeling, predictive composition–structure–property relationships, process optimization, and the development of digital twins.

This topic explores the role of glass materials in emerging and established low-carbon energy technologies. It covers glasses, glass-ceramics, and functional glass materials for batteries, fuel cells, high-temperature sealing systems, photovoltaic technologies, and other energy-related applications. Emphasis will be placed on innovative compositions, functional properties, processing technologies, durability, and the development of sustainable materials supporting the energy transition.

This topic addresses the long-term performance of glass materials under chemical, thermal, mechanical, and irradiation environments. It covers aqueous corrosion, atmospheric alteration, irradiation-induced structural changes, mechanical properties, and damage mechanisms. Particular attention will be given to the relationships between glass composition, structure, and durability, as well as experimental methodologies and predictive approaches for assessing material performance over extended timescales.

This topic focuses on experimental techniques for investigating glass materials and melts under high-temperature conditions. It covers in situ and operando characterization methods, thermal analysis, high-temperature spectroscopy and diffraction, imaging techniques, and measurements of thermophysical properties. Emphasis will be placed on innovative experimental developments enabling a better understanding of melting reactions, structural evolution, crystallization, and physicochemical transformations during thermal processing.