INTERWOVEN: A WPI–AIMR & WPI–SKCM2 Symposium Towards a Universal Topological Model of Entangled Structures for Sustainable Metamaterials

Information

The Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI–AIMR) and the International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI–SKCM2) are excited to present this collaborative symposium as the culminating event of “The Theory of Periodic Tangles and Their Interdisciplinary Applications” Junior Research Program.

The INTERWOVEN symposium highlights groundbreaking research at the intersection of mathematics, materials science, and engineering, focusing on the development of universal topological models for entangled structures. Such mathematical models hold transformative potential for the design of sustainable metamaterials with applications in textiles, medical devices, polymers, molecular chemistry, and beyond. Bringing together leading researchers and creative innovators, the event promises dynamic discussions, cutting–edge presentations, and inspiring networking opportunities. Hosted at the House of Creativity at Tohoku University, the symposium interweaves the power of interdisciplinary collaboration between WPI–AIMR & WPI–SKCM2 in shaping a sustainable future.

Join us in exploring how mathematics can drive innovation and sustainability in materials science and beyond!

Date

Friday, August 1, 2025 09:00 – 17:30 (JST)

Venue

TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity 3F, Lecture Theater, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]

Capacity

Onsite: 60 (First–come–first–serve basis, registration required)
Online: 100

Invited Speakers

Toky Andriamanalina (University of Potsdam)

Sofia Lambropoulou (National Technical University of Athens)

Lauren Niu (University of Pennsylvania)

Vanessa Sanchez (Rice University)

Daisuke Shimamoto (University of Tokyo)

Yair Shokef (Tel–Aviv University)

Registration

Registration deadline: ~~Monday, June 16, 2025, 16:00 (JST)~~ → Monday, June 23, 2025
– Closed

Online Participation reopened until: Friday, July 25, 2025, 16:00 (JST)
*The deadline has been extended.
– Closed

Time Schedule

09:00 – 09:45: Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:30 – 10:00: Opening Remarks; Tomoki Ozawa (Tohoku University)
Ivan Smalyukh (Hiroshima University)

10:00 – 11:00: Sofia Lambropoulou (National Technical University of Athens); Measures of Topological Complexity of Doubly Periodic Textiles

11:00 – 11:30: Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:30: Vanessa Sanchez (Rice University); Periodic Entanglements for Mechanical Metamaterials

12:30 – 14:00: Networking Lunch & Poster Session

Session Chair: TBA
14:00 – 15:30: Toky Andriamanalina (University of Potsdam); Open database of 3–periodic tangles; Yair Shokef (Tel–Aviv University); Combinatorial Design of Knots and Loops in Mechanical Metamaterials; Lauren Niu (University of Pennsylvania); Geometric Modeling of Knitted Fabrics; Daisuke Shimamoto (University of Tokyo); Knittable or unknittable?