SPEAKERS

The major themes of this conference are Smart Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, and Intelligent Automation, which are interrelated and relevant of today’s context. The objective of manufacturing systems in this era is to achieve smartness and without any wastage with the known certain conditions. The manufacturing systems need to proactively sense the changes either a short term or long-term disruption and adapt quickly to varying conditions to offer the same productivity. Hence, there is a need for research on combining people, process and technologies to deal with short and long-term disruptions and develop contingency plans to make the manufacturing systems robust. In addition to productivity these days, the firms and its supply network need to achieve several sustainable goals.

Smart Manufacturing

There is an urgency and need to convert the traditional manufacturing systems into Smart Manufacturing (SM) Systems, which us the advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, and big data, to improve manufacturing processes. The goal is to make production more efficient, flexible, and responsive to customer needs while minimizing waste and downtime. There is a potential for researchers to investigate the pathways for ensuring smartness in manufacturing systems through application of digital technologies such as methods to ensure as blockchain, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, digital twins, big data analytics, augmented reality, cyber-physical systems to enhance people and process.

Advanced Materials

Use of Advanced Materials (AM) in manufacturing processes are becoming evident these days. This will also help to make the manufacturing systems smarter. Advanced materials refer to substances that have been engineered or specially designed to exhibit superior or unique properties that make them highly suitable for specific applications. These materials often push the boundaries of performance in comparison to conventional materials, and they play a crucial role in a wide range of industries like electronics, aerospace, energy, and healthcare. Research on advanced materials is crucial for the progress of science, technology, and society as a whole. It plays a fundamental role in addressing global challenges, improving existing technologies, and enabling the creation of new products and systems with enhanced functionality. Research into advanced materials plays a key role in tackling global problems such as climate change, resource scarcity, and healthcare. By continuing to invest in and prioritize research in advanced materials, we can pave the way for innovations that improve industries, promote sustainability, enhance healthcare, and build a better future for society.

Intelligent Automation

Intelligent Automation (IA) refers to the combination of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and cognitive computing to automate complex business processes, enhance decision-making, and improve efficiency. It goes beyond traditional automation by integrating decision-making capabilities and adapting to changing environments, making systems smarter, more responsive, and capable of continuous learning. Intelligent Automation (IA) is revolutionizing industries by improving efficiency, reducing costs, enhancing decision-making, and driving innovation. As the technologies behind IA continue to advance, their applications will only become more pervasive, transforming how businesses operate and how individuals interact with technology. Research in IA encompasses both technical challenges, such as machine learning integration and scalability, and socio-economic considerations, such as ethics, security, and human-AI collaboration. As intelligent automation continues to evolve, the questions raised here will guide future research to address challenges and unlock its full potential.

The conference theme invites original research papers to address open research questions on the major themes such as:

• How can manufacturing systems use digital technologies to build smart systems?
• What changes need to be included in processes to increase the flexibility of manufacturing and reduce their vulnerability to disruptions?
• What role can artificial intelligence and machine learning play in converting traditional manufacturing systems into smart manufacturing systems?
• How can manufacturing systems use data analytics to proactively identify potential supply chain disruptions and minimize their impact?
• How can sustainability be integrated into the design and operation of smart manufacturing systems to minimize their environmental impact and ensure long-term viability?
• What new materials are needed to improve the capabilities of 3D printing (additive manufacturing), such as for metal alloys, ceramics, or biocompatible materials?
• How can we control the microstructure of advanced materials during manufacturing to achieve specific mechanical, thermal, or electrical properties?
• What challenges exist in integrating advanced materials into traditional manufacturing processes (e.g., casting, forging, or injection moulding)?
• Can we develop advanced materials that are easier to process at an industrial scale, reducing energy consumption and material waste during production?
• What are the most effective techniques for integrating AI-driven decision-making models with traditional rule-based automation systems?
• How can deep learning and reinforcement learning be used to improve autonomous systems in intelligent automation tasks, such as predictive maintenance or process optimization?
• What are the challenges in ensuring the interpretability and transparency of AI models used in intelligent automation, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and finance?
• How can intelligent automation systems be designed to collaborate effectively with human workers, balancing automation with human creativity and critical thinking?

We expect submission from the scholars in the following overlapping areas including manufacturing, materials, digitalization, and sustainability.