From March 17 to 19, 2026, the French ceramic materials community gathered in Dijon for the Annual Meeting of the French Ceramic Group (GFC), held on the campus of the University of Burgundy Europe, at Polytech Dijon. This key event in the field brought together 150 participants, including researchers, research professors, doctoral students, and industry professionals, to discuss the latest scientific and technological advances in ceramic materials science.

A comprehensive scientific program

For three days, participants attended scientific sessions, oral presentations, and poster sessions covering all aspects of ceramic materials. These meetings provided an overview of current research while fostering exchanges between disciplines and between academic and industrial stakeholders. The presentations highlighted the diversity of approaches, from the fundamental understanding of materials to their technological applications. Invited speakers also shared their expertise and offered insights into the future challenges of the field.

Awards Ceremony

As every year, the GFC recognized young researchers with several awards recognizing scientific excellence: best thesis, best poster, and best ceramic photograph. These distinctions highlight the dynamism of the new generation of scientists and their essential contribution to the evolution of the field.
A special mention was also given to Jean-Claude Niepce, Professor Emeritus at the University of Burgundy Europe, who received the Medal of Honor for his exceptional contribution to research on ceramic materials.

Winners
🏆 Best Photograph Award: Nathan Kerkad, IRCER
🏆 Best Poster Award: Sophie Lefebvre, CEMHTI – Evolution of the properties of ceramic shells used in the lost-wax casting process as a function of temperature.
🏆 Best Thesis Award:
– Marcelo DEMETRIO, MATEIS – Transformation-induced plasticity in ceria-doped zirconia ceramics at small scales.
– Hugo LABARRERE, ICMCB – Electromagnetic shutter developed by BST ink spray deposition.

Organized and coordinated by Sophie Le Gallet, Julien Boudon, and Romain Charvet (ICB laboratory), these 2026 Annual Meetings confirm the GFC’s role as a meeting place between academic research and industry. They showcased the diversity of ceramic research in France and the importance of these meetings in fostering exchanges and structuring the scientific community.

Group photos