Preface

Abstract

Materials Research Society of Thailand (MRS)E-mail: iumrs.ica2020@gmail.com The 21st International Union of Materials Research Societies and International Conference in Asia (IUMRS-ICA 2020) was successfully held through a virtual conference platform on 23-26 February 2021. These conferences were mainly organized by the Materials Research Society of Thailand (MRS-Thailand) and Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University for supporting the dissemination of scientific and technical progresses in the field of materials and applications in Asia, enhancing the communication between research institutions and industries for promotion of materials applications as well as providing a forum for exchange of information and achievements. Experts, scientists and engineers from academia and industries in Asia and around the world were invited to the conference for discussion in the following symposia topics: 1) electronic and optical materials, 2) energy and environment materials, 3) bioplastics, biomaterials and medical devices, 4) advanced functional materials, 5) advanced structural materials, 6) computational materials science, 7) advanced fabrication, characterization and devices, 8) instrumentation and materials characterization, 9) rheology and 10) special symposium on material enterprises and industries.The conferences were initially planned to be held conventionally at Chiang Mai, Thailand. Unfortunately, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic leading to the consequent lockdowns and restrictions all over the country at the time, had caused concerns for traveling to the potential conference venue. Hence, the virtual conference via Zoom meeting was conducted instead at Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University. Plenary speakers presented a 45-minute talk for each, while the keynote and invited speakers both had a 30-minute presentation time. Each regular contributed speaker had 15 minutes for presenting his/her work and answering questions through the platform. Throughout the conference period, there were a total of 368 oral presentations including 6 plenary lectures, 37 keynote lectures and 84 invited lectures; and supported by 252 poster presentations. The conference was attended by a total of 859 registered participants from 25 different countries.The list of Committee, Executive advisory committee: Conference chair: Organized by: Chairs of organizing committee: Conference secretary: International advisory board: National organizing committee: MRS-Thailand committee: Scientific committee: Local organizing committee: Sponsors: Photographs: all are available in this pdf.