Three days of technical presentations, scientific exchange and discussions on the latest developments in piezoelectric materials, components and applications.
Smart Material, together with Fraunhofer IKTS, hosted ISPA 2026 in Dresden, bringing together the international piezocomposite community for three days of presentations, discussions and professional exchange.
The event welcomed an increased number of participants compared to previous years, reflecting the growing interest in piezoelectric technologies and the importance of collaboration between research institutions and industry.
From Material Development to Practical Applications
The technical program of ISPA 2026 highlighted the close connection between material research, component development and practical applications.
Topics ranged from advanced 1-3 piezocomposites, textured piezoelectric materials and innovative manufacturing processes to applications in underwater robotics, energy harvesting, medical ultrasound, structural health monitoring and smart actuation.
The presentations demonstrated the diversity of current research activities and the increasing relevance of piezoelectric technologies across different industries.
What We Brought to ISPA 2026
Smart Material also contributed to the conference program with two presentations offering insights into current research projects and developments in piezoelectric composite technology.
Thomas Daue, founder of Smart Material, presented a collaborative research project with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Applied Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University. The project explores how Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) technology can be used to harvest energy from the natural swimming movements of fish to power implantable acoustic transmitters. This approach could reduce dependence on conventional batteries and enable longer-term monitoring of fish migration and behavior. Different MFC designs and piezoelectric materials were investigated, with prototypes tested in juvenile white sturgeon.
Andreas Schönecker, Senior Adviser at Smart Material, shared recent advances in piezoelectric 1-3 composites, focusing on developments in materials, manufacturing technologies and performance. His presentation covered an expanded range of piezofiber composites, progress in high-frequency applications and the development of lead-free alternatives. He also discussed how different polymer matrix materials can be used to tailor composite properties to specific application requirements.
Together, the two contributions highlighted Smart Material’s work across the entire development process, from advancing piezoelectric materials and components to exploring their potential in practical applications.
A Platform for Scientific and Industrial Exchange
Beyond the technical presentations, ISPA 2026 provided an open and collaborative environment for exchanging knowledge and exploring new ideas.
Questions following the presentations, discussions during poster sessions and conversations throughout the breaks encouraged interaction between researchers and industry professionals.
The Smart Material booth also attracted considerable interest, with the wing demonstrator serving as a particular point of attention and a starting point for technical discussions.
Thank You for a Successful ISPA 2026
Smart Material would like to thank Fraunhofer IKTS, all speakers, contributors and participants for their valuable contributions to ISPA 2026.
The high level of engagement, the quality of the presentations and the many discussions made the event a successful platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration within the international piezocomposite community.
We look forward to continuing these discussions and following the developments and collaborations emerging from ISPA 2026.
