The Workshop
Within an AFOSR project funded through the London Office, to the University of RomaTre, Dr. “Les” Lee planned a workshop to be held in Rome, within his M4 program. Since then, the workshop was rescheduled multiple times mostly due to Covid and other restrictions. It is now time to make it happen!
We are delighted to extend an invitation to the workshop “Multifunctional Materials and Intelligent Structures: New Design Paradigms for Extreme and Multi-Field Environments,” to be held in Rome, Italy.
This registration-free workshop will bring together researchers, program managers, and industry leaders working at the frontier of multifunctional materials, intelligent structures, and next-generation design paradigms, with a focus on how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging quantum-computing approaches are reshaping the discovery, modeling, and deployment of materials and systems with tightly coupled mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, acoustic, and biological functionalities. The event aims to foster high-level technical exchange between fundamental research, and technology transition, with particular attention to performance in extreme, adaptive, and operationally relevant environments.
Registration
Registration for this workshop is free of charge.
Please upload your personal information, presentation title, and abstract.
The venue, coffee breaks, lunch, social dinner, and social activities are fully sponsored by the University of Roma Tre through an AFOSR/EOARD grant.
The workshop will feature invited and contributed talks only, with extended discussion sessions designed to promote collaboration across academia, government laboratories, and industry. There will be a poster session for students and postdocs or colleagues who prefer this option.
In collaboration with
Scientific Topics
Morphing, adaptive and intelligent materials
Metamaterials
Mechanical computing and physical reservoir computing
AI-, ML-, and quantum-assisted discovery and design of multifunctional materials
Multi-field coupling and multi-physics system integration
Data-driven modeling, digital twins, and autonomous experimentation
Materials and structures for extreme environments and defense-relevant applications
Pathways from fundamental research to higher-TRL technologies and deployment.
Tentative Agenda
Day 01
Friday, June 26
Day 02
Saturday, June 27
Workshop Organizers
University of Roma Tre
Giulia Lanzara
Sapienza University of Rome
Walter Lacarbonara
Organizing Committee
Chalmers University of Technology
Leif Asp
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ioannis Chasiotis
University of Colorado Denver
Martin Dunn
Johns Hopkins University
Somnath Ghosh
Texas A&M University
Darren Hartl
AFRL
Gregory Reich
AFRL
Ajit Roy
AFOSR
David Swanson
Venue
The scientific sessions will take place in the historic “Affreschi” Room of the Faculty of Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, located downtown Rome just steps away from the Colosseum.
Faculty of Engineering – Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Accomodation
A selection of hotels within walking distance of the venue, the conference dinner, and the planned social activities has been identified.
As June is high tourist season in Rome, participants are strongly encouraged to secure their accommodation as early as possible, preferably prior to the abstract deadline, to ensure availability in a convenient location.
The full list of recommended hotels is provided below. In addition, the Organizing Committee has arranged a preferential rate at the following 4-star hotel:
Hotel Forum
8-minute walk from the venue • Limited number of rooms available
Via Tor Dei Conti 25, 00184 Roma
Check-in: June 25
Check out: June 28
Double room single use: Euro 320 per night
(including taxes and breakfast)
Reservations should be made directly with the hotel by email using the promo code AFOSR2026.
Contact email: info@hotelforum.com
5-Star Hotels
Hotel Vilòn
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Via dell’Arancio 69, 00186 Rome
2.3 km – 31 min walk
Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome
Piazza della Repubblica 47, 00185 Rome
1.4 km – 20 min walk
The Inn at the Roman Forum
Via degli Ibernesi 30, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 9 min walk
4-Star Hotels
Hotel Forum
Via Tor Dei Conti 25, 00184 Rome
0.6 km – 8 min walk
FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino
Via Cavour 213, 00184 Rome
0.2 km – 4 min walk
Rome Glam Hotel
Via Nazionale 85, 00184 Rome
0.8 km – 11 min walk
Rome Life Hotel
Via Palermo 10, 00184 Rome
0.8 km – 11 min walk
Rome Times Hotel
Via Milano 42, 00184 Rome
0.8 km – 11 min walk
The Britannia Hotel
Via Napoli 64, 00184 Rome
1.1 km – 17 min walk
Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio
Via Cavour 18, 00184 Rome
1.1 km – 16 min walk
Hotel Mediterraneo
Via Cavour 15, 00184 Rome
1.1 km – 16 min walk
The Independent Hotel
Via Volturno 48, 00185 Rome
1.6 km – 24 min walk
Smooth Hotel Rome Repubblica
Via Gaeta 61, 00185 Rome
1.7 km – 25 min walk
Smooth Hotel Rome Termini
Via Palestro 13, 00185 Rome
2.1 km – 31 min walk
Augusta Lucilla Palace
Via Massimo D’Azeglio 24, 00184 Rome
1.0 km – 15 min walk
Bettoja Hotel Atlantico
Via Cavour 23, 00184 Rome
1.0 km – 15 min walk
Hotel Artemide
Via Nazionale 22, 00184 Rome
1.1 km – 16 min walk
Hotel Capo d’Africa – Colosseo
Via Capo d’Africa 54, 00184 Rome
0.8 km – 12 min walk
Hotel Dei Borgia
Via Palermo 20, 00184 Rome
0.8 km – 12 min walk
Hotel Duca d’Alba
Via Leonina 14, 00184 Rome
0.2 km – 3 min walk
Hotel Genova
Via Cavour 25, 00184 Rome
1.0 km – 15 min walk
Hotel Mondial
Via Torino 127, 00184 Rome
1.0 km – 15 min walk
Hotel Quirinale
Via Nazionale 7, 00184 Rome
1.3 km – 19 min walk
Hotel Traiano
Via Quattro Novembre 154, 00187 Rome
0.9 km – 13 min walk
Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo
Via Labicana 144, 00184 Rome
1.3 km – 19 min walk
Monti Palace Hotel
Via Cavour 185, 00184 Rome
0.4 km – 5 min walk
Nerva Boutique Hotel
Via Tor de’ Conti 3, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 9 min walk
UNA HOTELS Decò Roma
Via Giovanni Amendola 57, 00185 Rome
1.1 km – 18 min walk
iQ Hotel Roma
Via Firenze 8, 00184 Rome
1.1 km – 17 min walk
3-Star Hotels
Hotel Amalfi
Via Merulana 278, 00185 Rome
0.9 km – 13 min walk
Hotel Donatello
Via di Porta Maggiore 83, 00185 Rome
2.0 km – 28 min walk
Hotel Borromeo
Via Cavour 117, 00184 Rome
0.5 km – 8 min walk
Hotel Caravaggio
Via Palermo 73, 00184 Rome
0.8 km – 13 min walk
Hotel Celio
Via San Giovanni in Laterano 45, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 9 min walk
Hotel Centro Cavour
Via Cavour 230, 00184 Rome
0.3 km – 4 min walk
Hotel Colosseum
Via Sforza 10, 00184 Rome
0.6 km – 10 min walk
Hotel Contilia
Via Principe Amedeo 81, 00185 Rome
1.2 km – 18 min walk
Hotel Doria
Via Merulana 4, 00185 Rome
1.0 km – 13 min walk
Hotel Esposizione Roma
Via Nazionale 66, 00184 Rome
0.9 km – 13 min walk
Hotel Giolli Nazionale
Via Nazionale 69, 00184 Rome
0.9 km – 13 min walk
Hotel Grifo
Via del Boschetto 144, 00184 Rome
0.4 km – 6 min walk
Hotel Hiberia
Via XXIV Maggio 8, 00187 Rome
0.9 km – 14 min walk
Hotel Italia
Via Venezia 18, 00184 Rome
0.9 km – 14 min walk
Hotel Lancelot
Via Capo d’Africa 47, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 11 min walk
Hotel Miami
Via Nazionale 230, 00184 Rome
1.1 km – 16 min walk
Hotel Nord Nuova Roma
Via Giovanni Amendola 3, 00184 Rome
1.2 km – 17 min walk
Hotel Raffaello
Via Urbana 3/5, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 10 min walk
Hotel Tirreno
Via San Martino ai Monti 17, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 10 min walk
Hotel Verona
Via di Santa Maria Maggiore 154, 00184 Rome
0.7 km – 10 min walk
Evening Tour
Social Activities
As part of the social program, participants will have the opportunity to join a guided night tour of the Colosseum, one of the most iconic monuments of ancient Rome. Visiting the Colosseum after sunset offers a unique and evocative experience, allowing participants to explore this extraordinary archaeological site in a quieter and more atmospheric setting.
The tour will include access to the underground levels (the Colosseum’s subterranean corridors), where gladiators and animals were once prepared before entering the arena. Walking through these underground passages offers a fascinating perspective on the engineering, logistics, and dramatic history of the ancient amphitheatre.
The visit will provide insights into the history, architecture, and cultural significance of one of the most famous landmarks in the world while enjoying a memorable evening in the heart of Rome.
Gala Evening
Social Dinner
The social dinner will take place at the Roof Garden Restaurant of Hotel Forum, a unique terrace overlooking the Roman Forum in the historic center of Rome.
Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine while networking with colleagues in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The exceptional view of the ancient ruins and the city skyline will provide a memorable setting for an evening of discussion and interaction among members of the workshop community.