17–18 September 2025
The 2nd Conference on Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM)
Location
University of Bath
Estimate Time
Date
17–18 September 2025
About Event
The 2nd Conference on Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) was held at the University of Bath on 17–18 September 2025, bringing together researchers from across the UK and beyond to showcase the latest advances in porous materials science. The event attracted over close to 100 delegates, both in person and online, and featured more than close to 30 oral presentation and over 30 excellent poster presentations spanning a remarkable breadth of materials, methods, and applications in the field.
EPoMM, funded by the EPSRC and led by Professor Chris Bowen and Dr Alex O’Malley at the University of Bath, continues to grow as a national network dedicated to connecting researchers who study porous materials across their “scales of use, scales of study, and scales of porosity”. These ideas were clearly reflected throughout this year’s meeting, showcasing how experts across different scales can connect to spark new collaborations and exchange expertise.
The scientific programme highlighted the extraordinary diversity of materials under investigation, from advanced frameworks and functional polymers to natural and bio-inspired structures, and spanning research from atomic-scale modelling and characterisation to the manufacture and performance of large-scale engineered systems. Keynotes from leading academic and industrial researchers explored challenges in areas such as gas separations, cementitious materials, energy storage, polymer foaming, and flow in complex porous networks. Notable highlights included presentations on porous materials for defence and threat mitigation, particulate filters for automotive applications, and the evolution of concrete under varying moisture conditions, each revealing how fundamental understanding of porosity can deliver tangible technological and societal benefits. Talks on the physics of termite nests and the structure of Amazonian timber offered striking examples of how natural and nature-inspired materials research can broaden the horizons of engineering design.
A particularly valued feature of the conference was the EPoMM UK-UK Travel Fund showcase, where PhD researchers presented outcomes from their research visits to academic and industrial partners. The flash talks clearly illustrated how the travel fund has enabled early-career scientists to develop new experimental skills, build bespoke equipment, and forge collaborations that strengthen the UK porous materials community. As always, the meeting celebrated the contributions of emerging researchers, with prizes awarded for outstanding oral and poster presentations recognising creativity, clarity, and scientific excellence.
The organisers extend their gratitude to all presenters, session chairs, helpers, and the EPoMM steering board for their support in making the event such a success. The network looks forward to its next event, an upcoming online workshop, “Interfacing Simulation and Experiment”, on 29 January 2026, which will explore how computational and experimental approaches can be more effectively combined in porous materials research.
The event is open to all, and we encourage researchers at every career stage to join the discussion and share their perspectives. To find out more and sign up through the EPoMM website.
