Call for Papers

Advancement of Optical Methods in Experimental Mechanics

Organized by: SEM Optical Methods Technical Division

Description:
Optical methods are widely used in the Experimental Mechanics community. This track aims to encourage researchers to exchange ideas and promote cross-fertilization of various disciplines. The track will cover a broad range of optical methods, including interferometric, DIC, DVC, hybrid methods, multiscale optical measurements, computer vision, photonics, photonic Doppler velocimetry and the associated applications using optical methods. Other optical methods for experimental mechanics will also be of interest.

Session Topics:

• Photonics/Interferometry
• New Optical Approaches
• AI and Data Science in Optical Methods
• Photonic Integrated Circuits
• Holography
• Optical Methods in Additive Manufacturing
• Optical Methods for Non-Destructive Testing
• High Speed and Metamaterial Photoelasticity
• Digital Image Correlation in Experimental Mechanics
• Real-time Digital Image Correlation

Applications/Challenges in Industry

Organized by: SEM Applications Committee

In addition to general submissions, the SEM Applications Committee solicits abstracts for the following sessions:

Automotive Applications Research
Turn your research into real-world impact! This session spotlights applied research that solves today’s most pressing automotive challenges—whether in materials, manufacturing, component performance, or full-system integration. We’re looking for work that delivers practical techniques and solutions ready for immediate use, not just theory. If your results can drive innovation on the road, we want to hear from you.

Applied Problems in National Labs
From high-performance facilities to mission-critical experiments, national labs face unique technical challenges that demand actionable solutions. This session welcomes applied research that directly addresses these challenges—new testing methods, improved equipment designs, advanced data handling, or other techniques ready for implementation. Share your work that bridges the gap between problem and solution and advances the capabilities of national lab environments.

Applied Research
Where research meets reality—this session features applied research from across disciplines that turns ideas into tangible solutions. We welcome work from academia that addresses real-world problems with results ready to put into practice, whether for industry, government, or the public good. If your research bridges the gap between knowledge and action, this is your platform to share it.

Education

Description:
The Education Committee invites you to submit an abstract on a topic related to education and training in experimental mechanics and experimental techniques. We particularly encourage abstracts relating to:

• Effective teaching techniques for the classroom and lab
• Hands-on activities and demonstrations for the classroom and lab
• Integrating modeling and experiments into curriculum
• Incorporating research skills into curriculum
• Mechanics education pedagogy

While we allow oral only presentations, we strongly encourage all presenters to submit either an extended abstract or summary slides to be provided in the downloadable proceedings to all conference attendees. Presenters may also be asked to consider contributing to an Education focused special issue of Experimental Techniques in the future.

Experimental Mechanics Symposium

Description:
The frontier of experimental mechanics is driven by the increasing complexity of engineering systems, the integration of advanced materials, and the demand for real-time, high-fidelity measurements across multiple scales. Traditional experimental approaches are often challenged by the need to capture dynamic, multi-physics phenomena in extreme environments. Emerging techniques—such as full-field methods, high-speed imaging, digital image/volume correlation, additive manufacturing–enabled structures, and AI-assisted data analysis—are reshaping how researchers design, execute, and interpret experiments.

Experimental Mechanics invites researchers and practitioners to present and discuss the latest advances, unresolved problems, and future directions in mechanics of materials and structures. Topics of interest include experimental strategies for smaller and larger scales; mechanics of multi-physics systems; mechanics of soft, bio-inspired, and architected materials; coupling of experiments with simulations and digital twins; uncertainty quantification and reproducibility; and the role of machine learning and automation in experimental design and data analysis.

In highlighting the contemporary challenges, the symposium will provide a platform to share innovative methodologies, showcase studies from both academic and industrial contexts, and identify key research needs for experimental mechanics.

Organizers: Kejie Zhao and Junlan Wang

Fracture & Fatigue

Description:
We invite you to submit a paper to the 2026 Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM) Annual Meeting (Norfolk, VA, June 1-4) in one of the many sessions in the Fracture and Fatigue Track. See below for further information on these sessions, and please forward this to others who may be interested.

Abstracts are due October 9, 2025 via the SEM website. When submitting your abstract for a specific session, please enter the name of the session organizer and/or a few keywords relating to the session to help our abstract reviewers place your talk correctly. A list of proposed session topics is below. General submissions are welcome too.

Although SEM encourages the submission of full conference papers or extended abstracts, oral-only presentations are welcome in our Fracture and Fatigue Track sessions.

1. 3D Characterization of Deformation
Organizer(s): Philip Noell
Potential topics: 3D imaging techniques, digital volume correlation, destructive or non-destructive detection of sub-surface features

2. Vibration and High Cycle Fatigue
Organizer(s): Garrett Pataky
Potential topics: Experimental and/or computational modal analysis, non-destructive evaluation, statistical models, error quantification, characterization of fatigued surfaces

3. Brittle Materials
Organizer(s): Scott Grutzik, Kimberley MacDonald
Potential topics: Stress corrosion, static fatigue, slow crack growth, indentation and scratch, fast fracture, crack branching, specialized test methods, cyclic fatigue, transformation toughening

4. Highly Deformable Solids
Organizer(s): Shelby Hutchins, John Kolinski
Potential topics: Particle tracking, large deformation DIC, light scattering, instabilities associated with interfacial and bulk fracture of soft materials, environmental sensitivity

5. Effects of Temperature on Deformation and Fracture
Organizer(s): Michael Schuster, Robert Hansen
Potential topics: High temperature, environmental effects, radiation, corrosion, microstructure, evolution and stability

6. Interface – Mediated Damage and Failure
Organizer(s): Scott Grutzik
Potential topics: Thin film layered structures, mixed-mode fracture, cohesive/adhesive failure, traction separation laws, interfacial toughness

7. Additively Manufactured Materials
Organizer(s): Garrett Pataky, Will LePage
Potential topics: Experimental/computational studies linking process, structure, and properties, metals; metals, polymers, ceramics

8. Fatigue
Organizer(s): Aishvarya Joshi
Potential topics: High cycle fatigue, low cycle fatigue, experimental/computational studies linking process, structure, and properties, metals; metals, polymers, ceramics

9. In-situ Techniques
Organizer(s): Jay Carroll, Kaitlynn Fitzgerald
Potential topics: In-situ digital image correlation (DIC), neutron diffraction, synchrotron imaging, tomography

10. Mechanics of Electrochemical and Electromechanical Materials
Organizer(s): Siva Nadimpalli
Potential topics: Coupled phenomena between mechanical and other physical processes, microstructure/property relationships, phase transformations, multiscale characterizations

11. Models and Experiments
Organizer(s): Jay Carroll
Potential topics: Coupled computational and experimental investigations, novel integration techniques, material insights via combination of models and experiments, virtual experiments

12. High Throughput Experimentation in Fracture and Fatigue
Organizer(s): JC Stinville
Potential topics: High throughput methodology, techniques, results, and experimental improvement

13. Advances of Mechanics of Deformation, Plasticity, and Failure
Organizer(s): Garrett Pataky
Potential topics: Plasticity, non-linear elasticity, time dependent deformation, novel evaluation techniques, machine learning, data science

14. Assessment via Thermography – with Thermomechanics TD
Organizer(s): Michael Schuster
Potential topics: Experimental techniques via thermography, in-situ and ex-situ techniques

We are looking forward to seeing you at SEM in 2026!

Sincerely, SEM Fracture and Fatigue Session Organizers:
Garrett Pataky, Chair
John Kolinski, Vice Chair
Kaitlynn Fitzgerald, Secretary
Savi Nadimpalli, Chair of the Abstract Review Committee
Ben Elbrecht and Aishvarya Joshi, Student/Postdoc Chair of the Abstract Review Committee

Inverse Methods and Machine Learning

Description:
The use of Inverse Methods in Experimental Mechanics is extremely important for solving identification problems when a closed-form solution is not available. Moreover, Inverse Methods can be coupled with Full-Field Measurements, such as Digital Image Correlation, to obtain data-rich experiments that allow for the evaluation of multiple load conditions with a single test. This topic has always been very active within the SEM community. Recently, Machine Learning has also emerged as a powerful method for analyzing large experimental data sets, and its application for material modeling and characterization is rapidly increasing.

The aim of this Track is to gather original and cutting-edge contributions in these two important fields of Experimental Mechanics. A non-exhaustive list of topics related to this Track includes:

• Development and validation of new experiments based on Inverse Methods and Machine Learning
• Improvements of established techniques in terms of accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency
• Uncertainty quantification
• Optimal experiment design and novel specimen geometries
• Application of Inverse Methods/Machine Learning to plasticity, dynamic testing, fracture and fatigue, biological and biomedical applications
• Relevant industrial applications

A list of tentative sessions for the Track is provided below. You can select the one that best fits your work or simply submit to the general session. We look forward to seeing you at the Inverse Methods and Machine Learning sessions during the next SEM Conference!

• Inverse Methods for Plasticity
• Inverse Methods for Non-Metals
• Optimal Experimental Design
• Finite Element Updating
• Virtual Fields Method
• Machine Learning for Experimental Data Analysis
• General Machine Learning

Research

Description:
The research committee is open to submissions on any topics that do not seem to fit well within one of the technical divisions. Additionally, for SEM 2026, we are organizing sessions on "The Mechanical Behavior of Metamaterials." These sessions will explore the material mechanics of metamaterials, including 3D structures like lattices and metal foams, as well as 2D structures such as interlocking metasurfaces. We encourage contributions that investigate the fundamental mechanics of these materials, including experimental techniques, computational modeling, and their potential applications in various fields. Abstracts should highlight approaches to testing and modelling and findings that advance our understanding of metamaterial behavior.

Residual Stress

Description:
The Residual Stress Technical Division Track invites abstract submissions in all areas of experimental residual stress analysis research for the SEM 2026 Annual Conference to be held June 1-4 in Norfolk, VA. Efforts of particular interest include fundamental and applied research using mechanical stress-relaxation techniques, diffraction-based methodologies, hybrid approaches, new advances in residual stress measurement, and novel applications and materials.

For the 2026 SEM Annual Conference Residual Stress Track, the RS Technical Division is soliciting abstracts for the Full Paper, Extended Abstract, and Oral Presentation-Only categories. Awards will be given that recognize the best papers submitted and best presentations given within the RS Track. Abstracts are due by Oct. 9th and can be submitted at sem.org.

Proposed sessions for the 2026 SEM Annual Conference include, but are not limited to:

• New Approaches in Residual Stress Measurement
• Residual Stress in Additive Manufacturing Processes
• Machining, Welding, and Solidification Stress Measurements
• Inverse Methods and Residual Stress
• Diffraction-Based Mechanics Measurements
• Industry Applications and Practices of Residual Stress Experimentation

Organizers: Nicholas Bachus, Chris D’Elia, and Thomas Berfield

Thermomechanics and Infrared Imaging

Description:
The Thermomechanics and Infrared Imaging Technical Division (TII-TD) invites submissions on the application of thermomechanics and infrared imaging for constitutive modeling, fracture, fatigue, non-destructive evaluation (NDE), and structural health monitoring (SHM) of engineering materials and structures. Innovative and emerging uses of thermal imaging are also strongly encouraged.

For 2026, the TII-TD will host three joint sessions and welcomes papers and oral presentations on the following topics:

• Joint Session with Fatigue & Fracture TD: Fatigue and Fracture Assessment via Thermography
• Joint Session with Additive and Advanced Manufacturing: Thermographic Techniques for Advanced Manufacturing
• Joint Session with Optical Methods: Data Fusion and High-Speed Imaging

Additionally, TII-TD invites contributions on:

• Thermomechanics
• Advanced Thermographic Techniques for SHM
• Thermography-based NDE and Process Monitoring
• Low-Cost Thermography Applications

We also encourage papers and oral presentations with strong industrial relevance. To promote technology transfer and industry engagement, we have introduced two special focus sessions featuring industrial case studies and data integration:

• Development and Application of Novel Temperature Sensing
• Data Fusion with Thermographic Techniques

These sessions aim to strengthen collaboration between academia, national laboratories, and industry, accelerate technological knowledge transfer, and expand participation at the SEM Congress.

Organizers:
Dr. Suhasini Gururaja, Chair
Dr. Rosa De Finis, Vice Chair
Caroline Winters, Secretary

Time-Dependent Materials

Description:
The Time-Dependent Materials Technical Division (TD) of the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM) invites you to submit abstracts for our upcoming sessions at the 2025 SEM Annual Conference. Our division focuses on understanding the mechanical behavior of materials and structures whose mechanical properties evolve over time or change with the loading rate, such as, but not limited to polymers, biological tissues, biomaterials, metals, composites, foams, granular media, fluids and glasses. Experimental, theoretical and modeling efforts aimed at characterizing the time-dependent constitutive response and underlying molecular mechanisms are welcome. Abstracts are due October 9, 2025, via the SEM website. When submitting your abstract for a specific session, please enter the session organizer's name and/or a few keywords relating to the session to help our abstract reviewers place your talk correctly. Proposed sessions include, but not limited to:

1. Data-driven and High-Throughput Methods in Time-Dependent Materials
Organizers: Kshitiz Upadhyay and Nihar Moghe
Potential topics: Machine Learning (ML)-based constitutive models, high-throughput materials testing and characterization, accelerated materials discovery, physics-informed ML, uncertainty quantification, materials informatics, and surrogate and reduced-order modeling.

2. Time-Dependent Behavior of Biomedical Materials
Organizers: Igor Emri and Meredith Silberstein
Potential topics: Mechanical deformation, damage and failure, of biomedical materials, including engineered biomaterials (hydrogels, scaffolds), biological materials across scale (cells, tissues), and integrated systems (e.g., medical devices, implants, catheters, etc.). A particular focus is time-dependent processes and characterization (e.g., elastography and optical coherence tomography).

3. Time-Dependent Behavior of Construction Materials
Organizers: Hongbing Lu
Potential topics: Emerging developments in the characterization and modeling of time-, temperature-dependent, and multi-phasic (e.g., poroelastic) behavior of construction materials, such as soil, asphalt, concrete, bitumen composites, cementous materials, and modern sustainable building materials (e.g., self-healing composites, bio-based binders, recycled-material blends, and 3D printed materials).

4. General: Time-dependent Materials
Organizers: Alex Arzoumanidis and Kshitiz Upadhyay
Potential topics: Recent developments in viscoelastic and/or viscoplastic characterization and constitutive modeling of time-dependent materials. Also invited are studies on time-dependent behavior of coatings, high-temperature metals/alloys, glasses, and recycled and sustainable materials, high-temperature corrosion and creep interaction, long-term reliability, and material design for time-dependent applications.

5. Polymer Physics/Mechanics
Organizers: Jevan Furmanski and Takenobu Sakai
Potential topics: Characterizing, constitutive modeling and understanding the molecular mechanisms contributing to the viscoelastic, viscoplastic, hyperelastic and coupled mechanical responses (e.g., thermo-mechanical, chemo-mechanical, magneto-mechanical) of amorphous, semicrystalline, dynamically bonded and liquid crystalline polymers at multiple length scales. Novel experimental and modeling approaches to study these responses are also of interest.

6. Creep, Damage, Fatigue, and Fracture
Organizers: Alireza Amirkhizi and Bonnie Antoun
Potential topics: Multiaxial loading fatigue, cyclic plasticity, fatigue life prediction, creep-fatigue interactions, micromechanisms of damage and fracture, damage evolution and the Remaining useful life (RUL), environmental effects, and non-destructive evaluation. Studies on both polymers and metals are welcome.

7. Time Dependences in Composites and Interfaces
Organizers: Richard Sheridan and Pavan Kolluru
Potential topics: Viscoelastic and viscoplastic behavior in composites and multi-material interphases (including additively manufactured materials), time-dependent adhesion and debonding, interfacial phenomena in multifunctional composites, durability of composite-metal interfaces, and self-healing interfaces.

8. Time-Dependent Behavior in Additively Manufactured Materials
Organizers: Pavan Kolluru and Sadeq Malakooti
Potential topics: Thermo-viscoelastic response of 3D-printed polymers and multi-materials, creep, fatigue high-temperature performance of AM metals, anisotropic mechanical behavior, multi-axial interfacial response including traction-separation laws, and residual stresses.

9. Energy Absorbing Materials
Organizers: Moira Foster and Bonnie Antoun
Potential topics: Characterization, modeling, performance, and mechanisms of natural or engineered energy-absorbing materials (including foams, additively manufactured metal lattices, rubbers, woods, etc) under various loading conditions, such as quasistatic deformation, acoustic or vibrational loading, and shock environments.

Our sessions will feature keynote talks, research presentations, and interactive discussions, offering a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities in understanding and engineering time-dependent materials. Join us in advancing the field of time-dependent materials and contribute to the discussions that will shape the future of mechanics and material science.

Sincerely,
Pavan Kolluru, Chair – Texas A&M University
Kshitiz Upadhyay, Vice Chair – University of Minnesota Twin Cities

12th International Symposium on the Mechanics of Composite and Multifunctional Materials

Description:
This symposium is focused on advancements in the research, development, analysis, application, and manufacturing of composite, multifunctional, and hybrid materials. The scope includes additive manufacturing; experimental techniques; materials characterization; manufacturing, assembly, and repair; fracture and fatigue; and novel application development for these materials to include AI/ML. A primary goal of the symposium is for participants to exchange ideas and promote collaboration to resolve fundamental and application-related problems. The symposium features the following sessions:

• Mechanics of Composites
• Multifunctional Composites
• Mechanics of Fibers and Inclusions
• Additive Manufacturing of Composites
• Fracture and Fatigue of Composites
• Application Sessions
• Metamaterials
• Rate/Time Dependent Behavior in Composites
• High Temperature Composite Performance
• AI/ML in Composites

Organizers:
Kunal Mishra, Corning Inc.
Michael Keller, The University of Tulsa
Brad Lawrence, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

16th International Symposium on the Mechanics of Biological Systems & Materials

Description:
We are accepting abstracts focusing on understanding, modeling, and experimentally characterizing the mechanical behavior of biological systems and biomaterials. We welcome contributions spanning fundamental research to applied engineering, bridging biology, mechanics, and materials science. Submit your abstracts by October 9th!

27th International Symposium on Micro- and Nanomechanics (ISMAN)

Description:
We are pleased to announce the call for abstracts for the ISMAN symposium at the 2026 SEM Annual Conference. We welcome contributions in any subject within the broad area of Micro and Nano-scale Mechanics of Materials. Our new technical division’s name reflects a renewed impetus to provide a top-notch venue for the communication and discussion of the various broad, interdisciplinary and cutting-edge topics involved in characterizing the micro and nanoscale phenomena of materials.

We welcome contributions on areas such as (but not limited to): fundamental characterization of 1D and 2D nanomaterials, in-situ/in-operando techniques, micro/nanoscale characterization applied to advanced manufacturing challenges, nanoscale mechanics of architected materials, coupling mechanics and other domains in small scales (multiphysics), nanomaterial testing and dynamic behavior in extreme environments, mechanics challenges in using nanomaterials for emerging applications in energy, bio, etc., small-scale contact mechanics and tribology, technique and metrology development for micro/nanoscale characterization.

Tentative session names are listed in this website, but they should not be interpreted as exclusive of other topics. Key developments in micro and nanomechanics begin here, as we seek new ways to probe and understand materials and structures at small scales.

Organizers:
Rodrigo Bernal, University of Texas at Dallas
Maarten De Boer, Carnegie Mellon University
Jizhe Cai, Florida A&M University - Florida State University College of Engineering